Daily Bible Reading (Tuesday, January 23rd)

13

Matthew 17 (ESV)

 

The Transfiguration

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,[b] and it[c]came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.[d] 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”[e]

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

22 As they were gathering[f] in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

The Temple Tax

24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.[g] Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 17:5 Or my Son, my (or theBeloved
  2. Matthew 17:18 Greek it
  3. Matthew 17:18 Greek the demon
  4. Matthew 17:18 Greek from that hour
  5. Matthew 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting
  6. Matthew 17:22 Some manuscripts remained
  7. Matthew 17:27 Greek stater, a silver coin worth four drachmas or approximately one shekel

13 Comments

Faith the size of a mustard seed. Jesus is clearly rebuking the disciples for their little faith. So I'm thinking about what makes a great faith. I'm realizing lately that really, deeply believing and placing faith in the simple truths is more valuable than a whole bunch of knowledge. Increasing knowledge is good, but what good is it to know each detail of your eschatology if you still waver under the Lord's providence? If we still react to life, as if God was not sovereign. How much less will we act on our faith, if it begins to crumble under natural pressure? Humilty before God, real belief in His ability to move and act exactly as is best, believing in prayer and believing His Word. A great faith in the plain and simple, is more valuable than a weak faith with all the details. And a great faith, abounding in knowedge, obviously is the goal.

Yes, thank you Art. I’m aware of His voice and know it, especially when reading the Bible out loud, and I believe you were referring to 1 John 3:2 as far as recognizing Christ when he comes again.

Jesus sent the disciples out to heal the sick and cast out demons in Matthew Chapter 10 but now when they see an extreme case their faith is weak and they cannot do what they were commissioned to do. In the same way we have been sent out to preach the gospel and we must not be afraid and believe that nothing will be impossible for us when we are by faith doing what Jesus has sent us out to do!

In vs.7 Jesus tells the disciples to "Rise and have no fear." Yet a few verses later we read "And they were greatly distressed." Oh Lord, in the face of our own sufferings and trials in this world and the promises of your presence, power, and glory, help us by your Spirit to rise and have no fear.

Theme Summary: After instructing his disciples that he would die, be resurrected, and come with his angels in the glory of the Father--and that the kingdom would advance through their own persecutions and deaths, but not before some standing there would see that coming--Jesus allows three disciples to see a glimpse of his glory at the trasnfiguration. Jesus heals a boy whom the disciples could not heal because of their little faith, foretells his death and resurrection again. Jesus instructs the disciples that they are to pay their taxes, so as not to give offense, even though they are sons of the kingdom and should be free.

To answer Arturo's question, will we recognize him, the Bible makes it clear we will not only recognize Him, but He will take us up to be with Him. All His sheep will recognize His voice. That's not something I'd worry too much about.

During the Transfiguration, God spoke to the disciples and said "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Jesus speaks to us in His word and we need to listen just as if we were there with Peter, James and John when God spoke that to them. Peter recalls this incident in 1 Peter where he reminds his readers that all scripture comes from God...so we must listen to Him!

Verses 10-13...“And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.”” Do we truly understand? Will we actually recognize The Christ’s appearing at his coming again?

We too live in a faithless and twisted generation and like the disciples we might wonder why we have so little effect on it. We need to hear Jesus's answer and I need to learn more about what it really means to live by faith. According to Jesus faith is the answer and with proper faith nothing will be impossible.

The transfiguration is such a great reminder of the glory, splendor, and magnificence of the Father. Peter, James, and John have no issue watching Jesus' face shine like the sun, his clothes turn white as light, or Elijah and Moses appearing to them. In fact, Peter wants to build tents so they can all stay for a while (I can't blame him). But when God the Father speaks they are laid out on their faces and have to be reminded not to fear. I pray that the Holy Spirit will use this reminder will help me to have the appropriate fear of God, so that I am spurred on to live for Him and not influenced by the fear of men.

Please, Lord, keep me humble. Don’t let pride grow in me to where I think I’ve done enough or learned enough. Keep my eyes open to the needs of those around me. Continue to work in me and allow my faith to grow more each day. Thank you for your grace and mercy.

If I reflect on my faith truly I’d say I fall right in line with the disciples. I am no where close to where I want (or need) to be, but am I working to grow? Lord forgive me for my complacent pursuit of the Gospel. Help me listen to and be lead by your commands so that I may live a faithful life that honors you.

VS. 14-22 are a great reminder that our faith is to be in God alone. He alone is to be the object of our faith!

“Listen to Him!” is said by the creator of the universe, and it’s not just a statement, it’s an exclamation. God is shouting, demanding that we listen to the truth of Christ, and Christ commanded us to tell others about Him and disciple those who already know him. I need to listen to the shouting demand of God to listen to Jesus Christ. Father, forgive me for how poorly I have listened to Christ’s commands, and prepare my way today to proclaim the gospel to anyone who will listen.

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