Matthew 17 - Christianity is Based on Facts not Feelings!

Click Here to Read or Listen to Matthew 17

What is Happening in Matthew 17

Jesus takes his inner circle up on what we now call the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus predicts a second time about his imminent death, so it makes sense that he would give Peter, James, and John a glimpse of what he will look like in heaven. We would say they got a glimpse of his future glory. It has quite an impact on the disciples as we shall soon see. Jesus also heals a demon-possessed boy. Finally, he teaches them about the nature of paying taxes to Caesar. 

The Transfiguration

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountainside. We don't know which mountain this is though some have been suggested various options. Jesus was transfigured before them, meaning his body completely changed. Importantly Moses and Elijah were talking to Jesus. This is significant for a couple of reasons. 

For one, it points to their eternal life. Secondly, if Moses represents the Law, and Elijah the prophets, it is symbolic that Jesus came to fulfill both the Law and the Prophets. Peter, never the shy one, let's Jesus know it is good for all of them to be there. I just love Peter. 

Peter is so excited about the moment, he wants to capture it by putting up three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. The word "shelter" is the same word for "tabernacle". Tabernacles housed things that were holy. 

What did the transfiguration mean?

“The verb metamorphoo (‘transfigure,’ ‘transform,’ ‘change in form’) suggests a change of inmost nature that may be outwardly visible.” (Carson) It may be that this glory shone forth in the Garden of Gethsemane, when those who arrested Him fell back when Jesus said, “I am.” (John 18:6).

Essentially this was not a new miracle, but the temporary cessation of an ongoing one. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying this glory. Yet John said, We beheld His glory. Peter wrote, We were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (Guzik)

Why were Moses and Elijah present?

Remarkably, these two Old Testament persons appeared and spoke with the transfigured Jesus. Moses had lived some 1400 years before; Elijah some 900 years before; yet they were alive and in some sort of resurrected, glorified state. (Guzik)

From this we see: “Saints long departed still alive; live in their personality; are known by their names; and enjoy near access to Christ.” (Spurgeon)

While Peter was speaking, the Lord appeared in a cloud and addressed them by saying, "This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased!" 

These are the same words He said when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. These were two very important times in Jesus' life when God the Father wanted the world know that Jesus Was His Son. The Father was pleased with His Son's obedience to follow the path He had predestined for him. 

Finally, the Lord tells them, "Listen to Jesus!

“When God draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.” (Spurgeon)

The presence of the transfigured Jesus and the Lord's supernatural glory (we call this (Shekinah glory) caused the disciples to fall to the ground. They were completely terrified because of the AWE-SOME presence of the Lord. One day we will experience the Lord's presence when he takes us to heaven to be with him forever. 

 “When God draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.” (Spurgeon)

When the disciples turned around, the presence of Elijah and Moses were gone. Jesus placed his hands on them and told them not to be afraid. Interestingly this event did not seem to phase Jesus too much. 

“When God draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.” (Spurgeon)

“When God draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.” (Spurgeon)

Jesus asked the disciples to not say anything about this experience until he rose from the dead. First of all, the others wouldn't have understood it. Also, they might have wondered why only these three got to experience this special moment with Jesus. 

Finally, the disciples ask, "Why must Elijah come first"? What does this mean?

The disciples had heard that Elijah must come, according to the promise of Malachi 4:5: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Their question may go like this: “Jesus, we know that Elijah comes first before the Messiah. We know You are the Messiah, yet we just saw Elijah, and it seems that he came after You.”

Yet there was also a sense in which Jesus could rightly say “Elijah has come already.” Elijah had arrived in the work of John the Baptist, who ministered in Elijah’s spirit and power (Luke 1:17).

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

Having come back down the mountain, Jesus got right back to the business of manifesting the power and authority of the kingdom. A father came to Jesus in great humility asking him to have mercy on his son, who suffered from convulsive seizures. Having suffered from seizures myself, I can say they are very scary to one's loved ones who witness them. 

Apparently the man had gone to the disciples, but they were unable to heal the boy. Jesus delivered the boy from the demon, but at the same time he expressed frustration at his disciples for not being able to heal him.  "“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?"

After Jesus healed the boy, the disciples came to him and asked him why they could not heal him. Jesus pointed to their lack of faith. He told them though that they only needed a mustard seed of faith. If they exercised even this smallest amount of faith, they could pray and move mountains through their prayer of faith! Nothing would be too impossible. He was essentially saying without faith in your power, you can do nothing. But with even a little faith you can do ALL things through me! It is really that black and white. 

Mark 9:29 also records Jesus as saying, "This kind can only come out with prayer and fasting!"

What does Jesus mean when he says this to his disciples?

We show our faith in and reliance on God through prayer and fasting. It displays an occupation with and dependence on Jesus. Great prayer and fasting also display earnestness before God that brings answer to prayer. We often pray dispassionately, almost asking God to care about things we care little or nothing about.

Prayer and fasting demonstrate:

· Great willingness to identify with the afflicted person.

· Great appreciation of the strength of the demonic world.

· Great dependence upon God.

· Great desire to fight and sacrifice for the sake of deliverance.

He that would overcome the devil in certain instances must first overcome heaven by prayer, and conquer himself by self-denial.” (Spurgeon)

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

Jesus figured the disciples needed a reminder after these to supernatural moments. Before Jesus entered his glory, he would be delivered by evil men, killed, but after three days he would rise from the dead. This is the second time Jesus has predicted his own resurrection from the dead. This makes it absolutely clear that Jesus knew his resurrection was prophesied, and also believed that he would rise from the dead.

Why is this important?

If Jesus did not really rise from the dead he is a liar or a lunatic? Or he is Lord if He did! You can't have it both ways. This is one of the greatest proofs of the truth of Jesus and why Christianity is the only true religion, which promises eternal life. Either Jesus did rise from the dead and He was and is the Son of God, or we are believing in a lie. But we know that Jesus did rise from the dead and that is why no one has ever been able to disprove it. With all the evidence we have that Jesus did rise from the dead, I would take more faith for me to believe he didn't rise from the dead. 

Of course, I believe by faith in Jesus' resurrection, but it is also good to know as Christians we have evidence and proof for the literal and historical resurrection of Jesus. This is very important as you talk to those who think Christianity is just a made up, fanciful tale, which makes people feel better for when they die. Christianity is not based on feelings. It is based on facts!

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

In our final story, Jesus teaches his disciples about the nature of paying taxes. The tax collectors tried to trip Jesus up by asking Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax. Jesus questioned Peter about it when he got back to where they were saying. He asked if the kings of the earth collect taxes from the parents or from the children. Peter answered correctly when he said, "the children"! 

What did Jesus mean by this? 

This was a normal tax or fee applied to every Jewish man. Faithful Jewish men paid this obligation; others sought to escape the responsibility. (Guzik) 

Peter gave the quick and natural answer to this question. But then Jesus explained that He is not liable to pay this tax, because the Father doesn’t require it of His own Son. (Guzik)

Rabbis were exempt from paying this tax, and so were the priests in Jerusalem; would Jesus claim a similar exemption? The question assumes that he does pay regularly, and Peter agrees.” (France)

He had just discussed with Peter; that as a son, not a servant, He did not have to pay this temple tax. Yet Jesus also recognized the importance of avoiding needless controversy, and so was willing to pay the tax so as to not offend those who questioned.

This brings up an important point for Christians. Sometimes we make decisions because it is the right thing to do not because we are obligated to do so. For Jesus and his disciples to pay the temple tax was the right thing to do so it would not cause unnecessary conflict, which could in the end hurt their mission. 

I love how this story ends. Jesus tells Peter to throw out his line, and when he catches a fish, the tax for both of them is in the fish's mouth! Peter had yet another special moment. Jesus was just showing off! 

What is coming up in Matthew 18?

Jesus teaches about true greatness in God's eyes. Jesus teaches them about the nature of the kingdom of heaven through two more parables. Jesus gives disciples a very practical method for dealing with conflict in the church. This relates to Matthew 16 where Jesus told Peter, "Whatever you bind here on earth will be bound. And whatever you loose here on earth will be loosed!"

As a pastor, I have relied on this verse many times. Go figure. Listening to Jesus' teaching is the smartest way to deal with conflict in His church!