Jesus

The transfiguration

Today we will attempt to Cover the text in sections.

When we are reading scripture it is important that we see the text woven together, there were no chapters nor verses when scripture was written.

(Section one) In order to capture the full picture, we will need to start at Matthew 16:28 and we’ll read through 17:4,”Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.” alright Chapter 17:1,”After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured in front of them, and His face shone like the sun; His clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

For information purposes it is said that Mt Hermon is most likely the mount of tranfiguration.

To begin, notice the flow of the text, the focus is on the promise coming to fruition. Jesus knew exactly what was ahead! Six days later Peter, James and John see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom!

I love what H. A. Ironside said....

“… the glory of Christ eternal sonship shone out through the veil of His flesh so that the disciples might have visual proof of His true Character as Imanuel God and man in one person.”

This word transfigured means “to change form,” or to be transformed. A metamophosis took place from Flesh to Diety. This word for transfigured suggets a change of inmost nature that may be outwardly visable. Just imagine what this should have accomplished in these three disciples. But we know the story of Peter’s life with Jesus, it took a few more times to truly get his attention! Jesus still continued His pursuit until Peter got it!

Listen to what Peter said in 2nd Peter 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cleverly contrived (unrealistic) myths when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, instead, we were eyewitnesses of His majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well-pleased!” We ourselves herd this voice when it came from Heaven while we were with Him on the Holy mountain.

Take a moment to invision our Lord in His Glory as the disciples witnessed , then Moses and Elijah representing the Law and the Prophets show up, both of whom foretold Christ’s death, show up here with Jesus in His majesty and splendor. Like the disciples, I would have fallen down prostrate in fear and awe and worship.

Jesus, Moses and Elijah began talking.

What were they talking about? His death.

Luke 9:31,”They appeared in glory and were speaking of His departure, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.”

There is a lot going on here. It is said that the shelters that Peter was considering building could be the booths used during the feast of tabernacles in Lev 23:34-42 or this was suggested because of Peter’s belief that the millenial kingdom was about to be inaugurated.

Now , moving on through the text....

Matthew 17 Verse 5,”5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

It is as if God the Father is saying, hold on Peter, let’s backup, This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him! Keep the focus Peter, listen to Him! This is a word for all of us, Listen to Him, don’t be distracted, In Him I am well pleased, LISTEN TO HIM! He is the way!!! Peter messed up placing Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus. God the father stopped Peter in his tracks. Jesus is the very one that both Moses and Elijah,( the law and the prophets) pointed to.

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

7 Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

10 So the disciples asked him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 “Elijah is coming and will restore everything,” he replied. 12 “But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals a Demon Possed boy

When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

17 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed.

Here Jesus absolute authority over demons show His diety over the supernatural world. His power to heal demonstartes His deity by power over the natural world.

19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 “Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

21. However, this kind come out by prayer and fasting.

Here Jeus addresses their unbelief in the entire generation. The disciples, the multitudes and the scribes! We live in a society much like if not worse than this particular generation. Many say that these kinds of miracles don’t happen anymore. Could it be because we lack faith? I’d say so, Gods the same toady, yesterday and forever more! Look at Jesus exasperation regarding the faith of this generation! I never want Jesus to look at my faith this way.

Verse 21, this verse in particular has always stood out to me. In this case, Jesus seems to be saying that this demon is obviously stronger than other demons. Jesus is saying that a detirmind aversary must be met with faith that is just as if not more determined! Prayer and Fasting are spiritual weapons of warfare! True faith, by Jesus definition, always involves surrender to the will of God. Nothing with God is impossible! Even little faith!

Jesus Pedicts His Death and resurrection again

22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

Peter and His Master Pay Their Taxes

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”

25 He said, “Yes.”

And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”

Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Peter was probably a fairly successful fisherman before Jesus called him to leave his nets, follow Him and fish for men; yet here Jesus instructs Peter to throw out his fishing line, this time for tax purposes. Taxes are due and demanded by the tax collectors. Jesus uses fishing to teach Peter and us about His sovereignty over nature, His provision for His followers, and faith-so He sends Peter fishing.

Where did the fish find and swallow a four-drachma coin? Maybe a tax collector with a pocket full of coins fell into the water earlier in the day; who knows? Jesus knows, and at some point He has commanded the fish to swallow a large stash and hang on to it in a certain area until He has need of it. It is amazing that the fish has enough room in its coin-filled mouth to actually swallow a hook. This is not the first time that God commands an animal to take care of a need. Remember the ravens who were entrusted with feeding Elijah? Remember the donkey who addressed a false prophet? This scene reveals a number of truths about taxes, work, and God's provision: Jesus is a real King. All resources belong to Him. Even fish obey Him. The natural becomes supernatural at Jesus' command.The Lord mostly provides for a man's needs through his work. Sometimes, He blesses the work in unusual ways to meet specific needs. Jesus doesn't avoid paying taxes-nor should His followers.

Know who it is that is for you and with you! Faith is essential! In order to strengthen it, it’s important to know Jesus for who He really is! The process of being joined together with Him involves seeking in complete surrender. We can’t get it just merely reading. We have to make seeking the Kingdom first in our lives. ‘

He is the beloved Son in who the father is well pleased! Listen to Him! Seek to do what He did and now can do through you and me!