Matthew 17

Note: The scripture has a link that will take you to an online, King James bible

 if you would like to read the whole chapter. 

This post is a little bit different from my others… I am not picking a specific scripture from this chapter, because what really stood out to me today was a progression in the stories. In chapter 17 of the book of Matthew, we find three very distinct and well known stories – The story of Jesus’ transfiguration on the mount, the story of the young boy the disciples could not heal and the story of the tax collectors and the coin in the fish’s mouth… The stories appear in this order, and each has a moral that builds upon the previous story.

LISTEN (Matthew 17:1-13 )

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

The disciples are discussing building alters rather than listening to the Lord. God speaks out from heaven and reminds them that they are to listen to Jesus. (Ouch! I know God will remind us... but that is a reproof I would not have wanted to receive!)
TRUST (Matthew 17:14-21)

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

After the child was cured,  the disciples came to Jesus wanting to know why they hadn't been able to do the same, and Jesus tells them it was because of their unbelief. Many times when I have read this particular story, I have simply thought Jesus was referring to "this kind" of devil, but Jesus did not pray and fast, which, when I really sat and thought about it, made me realize that perhaps Jesus was talking about "this kind" of faith. We know Jesus wants us to trust Him more each day, and the only way we can do that it by drawing ever closer in prayer and fasting. (Trust requires action!)

OBEY (Matthew 17:24-27)

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Now, I don't know about you... but if someone told me the money I have to pay for my taxes would be found in a fishes mouth, I would tend to think they were a little bit crazy... But that is exactly what Jesus told Peter...  And, as Peter obeyed the Lord's instructions, He witnessed a miracle that would still be told generations later.  Peter did what God told him to, even though it seemed crazy, was blessed and was allowed to bless others that he never met for thousands of years to come. And all of this came from simple obedience.

At first, I couldn't see any reason why these stories were grouped together here... but as I looked deeper and saw the lessons learned by others, I realized it is the same lessons that God teaches me... Listen to His Word, Trust in Him and do what He tells me to do. What a cool reminder first thing in the morning.

I hope you have a blessed day, and that you too will heed God's Word.