The Way - Day 249 (Matthew 17)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Matthew 17:1-13
We must remember that in Matthew 16:28 Jesus told His disciples that there were some standing with Him who would not experience death until they had seen the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. The word kingdom here can also be interpreted royal splendor and is not necessarily a reference to Jesus Christ's earthly kingdom. Jesus was not saying that He was going to immediately set up His earthly kingdom; however, considering what would follow, Matthew 16:28 is best understood to be referencing what Peter, James, and John would soon experience - the transfiguration. These men accompanied Jesus to a high mountain where Jesus was transfigured, meaning He in some way had a dramatic change in appearance. Verse 2 tells us that His face shined like the sun and His clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah also appeared and began talking with them. Luke 9:31 reveals that their topic of conversation was Jesus upcoming death. Peter speaks up and volunteers to make three tabernacles - one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Peter was no doubt referring to the Feast of Tabernacles where booths were dwelt in for seven days - the feast called to remembrance the 40 years of Israel's wanderings, but also looks ahead to Israel's future blessing when they would be gathered together (kingdom). Peter was simply expressing that he wanted this moment to continue. While Peter is speaking, a bright cloud overshadows them and God the Father draws attention to His Son declaring that He is pleased with Jesus and wants the others to listen to Him (17:5). The disciples fell on their faces in fear but Jesus comforts them and tells them to get up. As they get up, only Jesus is there and He commands them to tell no one what they have seen until He is risen from the dead (He was fearful people would try to crown Him king because of this incident). The disciples immediately ask Jesus why the scribes (interpreters of the law) say that Elijah must come before the Messiah. Jesus answers that Elijah has already come in the form of John the Baptist, but the people did not accept his message and eventually killed him. Then, Jesus informs them that He also is about to suffer at the hands of those who also killed John. I'm not sure I can bring much application into this passage except to encourage us all to look forward to that coming kingdom where Jesus will rule in truth and righteousness. He will one day restore things as they should be and all believers will rule with Him in His kingdom.

Matthew 17:14-21
While Peter, James, and John were on the mountain witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus, the other disciples were ministering to people. It seems that they had encountered a father and his son, who was possessed by a demon. This demon manifested itself in the form of epilepsy and was putting the boy in danger (17:15). The father had brought his son to the disciples hoping they could heal him, but they could not (17:16). Jesus reacts by saying "o faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?" Jesus was condemning the disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus demands that the boy be brought to Him and He immediately rebukes the demon casting it from him (17:18). The disciples are confused because Jesus had already given them power to heal and cast out demons (see Matthew 10:6-8), but it seems they were trusting in their own abilities rather than making God the object of their faith. Jesus specifically tells them that their unbelief was the cause of failure (17:20). He then informs them that if they only have faith as a mustard seed (very small seed), they will be able to move mountains (17:20b). Obviously Jesus was not concerned about the amount of faith, but the object of it. The disciples were trusting in their own abilities rather in recognizing God as the One who enables them to cast out demons. At the end of verse 20 Jesus says that nothing will be impossible for them, implying that faith in God will empower them to accomplish great things for God. This kind of faith is not willpower or a display of our abilities, but a dependence on God to perform great things for His benefit. Verse 21 communicates that this faith is only a result of prayer and fasting. These two things are about dependence. When we desire to do things for God's benefit and not our own, God gives us the power to accomplish amazing things for Him.

Matthew 17:22-27
While staying in Galilee, Jesus revealed to His disciples what was about to happen to Him...soon He would be betrayed, killed, and the third day He would be raised up. Because the disciples did not fully understand God's plan, their reaction was one of disappointment. The end of verse 23 says they were exceedingly sorrowful. Before criticizing the disciples, we must keep in mind that they did not comprehend the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. They believed Jesus would set up His kingdom on earth during their lifetime; however, God the Father's plan required that His sinless Son die on the cross to satisfy the punishment for mankind's sin and be raised again to guarantee our eternal life. We can now look back and see God's plan perfectly unfold and this should bring joy to our heart's as we see God's forgiveness of sin through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. After Jesus revealed His future fate to them, they departed to Capernaum. When they arrived, those people who received the temple tax inquired of Peter as to whether or not his Teacher paid the temple tax. A temple tax was a yearly sum of two day's wages which enabled the temple to be maintained. Peter responded that his Teacher did pay and Jesus, anticipating Peter's thoughts about this matter, asked Peter what he thought. Jesus' question was very direct to Peter "From whom do the kings of earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or strangers?" Peter rightly responded "strangers." However, Jesus was going deeper with the question. Jesus said that sons of the king were exempt from paying taxes because of their relationship with the king; furthermore, Jesus was declaring that as God's Son (the King), He was exempt from the tax and they were also. However, instead of refusing to pay the tax, Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish and in the mouth of that fish he would find money. Peter was to use that money to pay the temple tax for himself and Jesus. Peter was being instructed by Jesus on obedience to authority. Even though the religious leaders were just looking for another accusation against Jesus (not paying the temple tax), Jesus still chose to obey earthly authority. If the Son of God obeyed earthly authority, how much more should we heed the leadership within out government? God requires us to respect and submit to authority even though we may not always agree with them. Do you have respect and reverence for earthly authority or are you always criticizing and disrespecting them? Think about it.

Dear God, as Your own Son obeyed authority, help me to also have a reverence and respect for the earthly rulers You have placed over me. Instead of judging them, help me to pray for them.