Sunday Sermon Summary – Feb 15 2026

When God calls He transforms 

Matthew 17: 1 – 9

This passage as others, never get stale though we meditate on this every year.  The message comes again and again in a new way.  The Transfiguration of our Lord!  Jesus had called twelve men whom he named Apostles.  He set them up for a special ministry. From among them he chose three: Peter, James and John whom He set apart from the others. Jesus renamed Simon, Peter, a rock and He named James and John Boanerges which means sons of thunder. 

Each of them had a unique purpose in God’s annals. 

1.  Jairus’ house Mark 5: 37

The first time we read in the Gospel of Mark Jesus called only Peter, John and James when He went to the house of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue whose daughter had just died.  The Bible says that he put away the mourners and called only these three disciples along with the parents of the child. He went into the house and came where the dead girl was laid.  He held the girl’s hand and brought her back to life. Only these three disciples had the blessing of witnessing this amazing miracle. Our Lord chooses according to His will those whom he will use.  He has a unique plan for each of us. 

2.  Mount of Transfiguration Matthew 17: 1, 2

The second time Jesus took only these three disciples is when he exposed His divine glory.  The Holy Scripture says that he took three of them to a high mountain and was transfigured before them. Three of them saw our Lord speaking with Moses and Elijah.  They also heard the voice of the Father from heaven.  This privilege was given only to Peter, John and James. Our Lord chose them to be special. He even commanded them not to disclose what they saw to anyone until His resurrection. Our Lord has chosen you to be a special family who will experience God’s glory. 

3.  Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26: 36, 37

The third time is at the garden of Gethsemane. He took the eleven disciples to the garden. He asked eight of the disciples to wait in one place then He took only Peter, John and James to a lonely place and He asked them to pray. He went a stone throw away and prayed intensely that he sweated blood. Jesus shared the pain of His agony with these three disciples only. He asked them to pray with Him at least for one hour; but the disciples were heavy with sleep.  They fell asleep again and again until it was time for our Lord to be betrayed.  Nevertheless, each of them had a unique calling. Peter was the first Archbishop of the Church.  James was the first apostle to be martyred.  John was exiled to Patmos where he was revealed what will happen in the last days.  Our Lord has something special for your family.  Let us pray that God will call us for something special.  Amen