Bible Verse Synopsis 3-6-25
Matthew 17:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to the mount apart from the other disciples. Upon there arrival Jesus shone with the light of God. He personally shined a white light. The light of purity and grace. Moses and Elijah joined them and talked of the coming task of Jesus and his need to fulfill it. A cloud went over them and God’s own voice boomed out saying “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him.” - Verse 5. The disciples were afraid, as would we be! Jesus calmed them and when they arose from cowering, only Jesus was left. When we turn away from God, Jesus is there to pick us up again as He picked up the disciples. Everything comes from Christ be not afraid of His Majesty.
John the Baptist could have been the Elijah for Christ had Israel as a whole accepted him. But, because of the failure to accept John, Christ had to suffer for man to be saved. Man continues to be weak and futile in too many things. Our weakness is beyond contention and we have little that keeps us upright, besides the Lord. Lord, help us with our weaknesses and to overcome them through you.
A man brought his possessed son to the disciples to be healed and they could not remove it. Christ removed the demon immediately. Yet, He is perturbed by the disciples lack of Faith. If they would have attempted to perform the act of Faith in His name and under His authority, they would have had the power of God behind them. Remember that ourselves. With God the power lies, and in His name the power can be used by us (if we are given the power and it be God’s will).
Jesus continually predicts His demise at the hands of men and His resurrection. The disciples feel sorrow for Christ, yet they don’t fully grasp that He must die. What things in our life do we not fully grasp even with our emotions telling us to feel a certain way? This is the task we have to complete. By opening our hearts to Christ fully, we allow the Holy Spirit to open ears, eyes, and heart to the full understanding. Do this and receive that guidance.
The temple demanded a 1/2 shekel of every Jew for their admittance in every year. Peter was asked by the temple collectors if his master pay tribute? Jesus confronted Peter immediately and asked Simon what should be done. As King the Lord did not have to pay the tax. Yet, the strangers of the kings of the earth have to pay tax as it is man made and their own children escape without the taxation. Even then the system was made to benefit the powerful. Jesus then tells Peter to catch a fish and there will be a shekel in its mount to pay for you and I. And so it was. Jesus did not want any reason for the temple people to have anger at Him or proclaim Him of wrongdoing. Even when we know we are right we should give in to the customs (unless it is against Christ), to appease those around us. We are not to always make everyone uncomfortable.