In this passage, Jesus takes his disciples a long walk up a mountain. He is saying to them as he says to us that anyone who would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. He is saying there is a cost involved.
At the top of this mountain, what awaits the disciples is an experience of seeing Jesus in all his glory. He is transfigured before them – his appearance is changed into a glorious appearance. We need to ask ourselves will we be with him in that glory in heaven or will we be ashamed? Let us not be ashamed.