Journey to the Cross 2017, Day 16

Saturday, Day 16:  Matthew 17                    

Six days after the dialogue in Chapter 16, Jesus takes Peter, James and John, the brother of James, to the top of a mountain where he was “changed in front of their eyes”.   The much recently talked about Elijah – and Moses – appear there, talking with Jesus. Talk about ‘kingdom living’. Peter was all over it. “Lord, this is good – and I mean really, really good. If you wish, I’ll build three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah – and we can just camp out up here. That would be really . . .” And while he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Tears spring to my eyes and my heart is too full to find words to adequately convey what I feel. The disciples’ response was appropriate. When God shows up in that kind of majesty, we should be on our faces before him. It is conspicuous that Peter still didn’t get the whole picture. Neither do we. But do you notice Jesus’ response? What a glorious moment where his divinity was so clearly affirmed – (again) with the everlasting omnipotent G-D Almighty affirming God in human form once more – just as He had at Yeshua’s baptism – with the words, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”  Well pleased because Jesus had overcome the temptations common to man – from the time of his testing in the desert by Satan 3 years earlier, and more recently, the temptation from his stumbling-block friend, Peter, not to stay the course. GOD knew the difficult times still to come – and He took this wonderful moment to affirm Jesus – and to provide another touchstone to three key disciples: Peter, who would one day stand faithfully proclaiming Jesus, and ultimately die for him; John who would write the gospel of John; 1, 2, & 3 John and Revelation – and James, John’s brother.

Jesus’ own brother, James, was not there. He didn’t believe yet. Other very important members of the early church were not there. Paul was still Saul – a young man who was just getting steamed up for his role of persecuting those who were soon to be designated as ‘Christ-ones,’ or Christians as we are now known. Jesus chose just 3 of his disciples to witness what happened on that mountain. Interestingly, John, even though an eye witness, doesn’t even record it in his gospel.

Anyway – Jesus’ response is notable. He touched them and told them not to be afraid. And from that day forward, he has been touching people and affirming that message to our hearts: ‘Be not afraid. I am with you.’

We like mountain-top experiences – but we can’t stay there. Neither could they.

Matthew 17:14-22 records a section we are frequently challenged by. A man comes to Jesus with a problem the disciples couldn’t help with. His son has a demon that is so strong that it throws his seizure-tormented son into the fire and into the water. In this account it makes it sound like it is peoples’ fault that the boy was not healed – and indeed, in Nazareth Jesus didn’t do many miracles because of their lack of faith. But I’ve seen faith rise up and claim healing when it didn’t happen – and I struggle with defining that line between our faith and God’s will…just being honest.... I know God can – but I don’t always know his will.

I recognize that God uses all kinds of circumstances to grow us, including some real growth pains. I know there are people who are healed – and people who for some reason aren’t. I recognize that faithfulness in the face of challenge – and even death – is a wonderful testimony to Christian commitment.  That none of us get out of this life alive.  That death is only the door to an eternity with the Lord for those who know Him – but I want the miracles.

I have several people on my prayer list right now for whom I want miracles...and Jesus’ response here is ‘if you only had faith as small as a grain of mustard seed. I know we need to pray in His will – but I still find it a challenge to always know what His specific will is.  So I pray for what I hope for, and end the prayer with:  Thy will be done.  One thing is certain:  it is not the amount of faith we have, but who we have faith in.  And, we don’t function in a vacuum.  God has a tapestry that is larger than the few threads we see.  I also have learned that praying in the Spirit means I am praying God’s will, even when I don’t know what it is I am praying for with my understanding.  Lord, teach me what else I’m missing here.

Sandwiched between that miracle and the end of the chapter is a brief recitation with Jesus warning them a second time that he was going to be killed and raised again on the third day. Again, all they heard was ‘death’ and they were filled with grief.

The end of Chapter 17 brings us back to Jesus’ chosen home base –  Capernaum. I’ve been there...stood in the remains of the synagogue built over the ruins of the one he taught in.... It was a wonderful moment of actually getting to feel like I was walking where Jesus walked. Jesus lived in the real world. He had to pay taxes just like the rest of us. The due date must have been upon them – and Peter was the one challenged with the question. This was his town, too. His response that Jesus pays the tax was likely based on prior times of that payment being made. However it could have just been defensive. We aren’t provided that information – but what we do know is Jesus wasn’t present to hear the conversation but he already knew about it, for when Peter came into the house, Jesus brought up the topic...and then he sent the fisherman out to fish – for a fish and a coin, but he let Peter know that the provision was miraculous, even though it would appear to be from natural circumstances, and in the process he gave Peter something to think about: that the sons of the king are exempt – and Jesus truly was that Son – and King.

Humor for today:
A preacher’s five-year-old daughter noticed that her daddy always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. “Well, honey, he replied, proud that his daughter was so observant at such a young age, “I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.”

“How come He doesn’t do it, then?” she asked.