So....Jesus took a few of the disciples to a high mountain 6 days later. This is the 6 days following Peters confession of who Jesus is in chapter 16 and Jesus transforming himself here in chapter 17.
Jesus was transfigured meaning he changed His appearance so His glory could be shown. We are told his face shown like the sun and his clothes white as snow. I'm trying to imagine Jesus in all this radiant light. It would have been amazing to see Him this way. This is the expression of the word "glory" as it is hard to describe......we have to witness it as these men did. Glory is the never ending beauty and greatness of Gods many perfections.
Can you imagine God speaking in verse 5? Telling the men he was well pleased with His son and he needs to be listened to. You can find the same words in Matthew 3:17 and 2 Peter 1:17. I would have fell over. The verses tell us next the disciples fell facedown and were terrified. But verse 7 Jesus tells them to get up and not be afraid. Jesus could take all the fear away. Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone what they witnessed on the mountain until after his resurrection. This was to keep things in line with Gods perfect timing for his death and resurrection. Telling too much too soon could have altered the plan. (But then again our God has full control even when we don't think He does)
Verse 15.....some seizures were the result of demon possession. This was one of those times a a Jesus got rid of the demon.
Notice in verse 16 the man had asked the disciples to get the demon out, but they acted like they couldn't. Jesus gave them power for is task, but because of their little faith they could not do it.
Verse 22 is the second time Jesus predicts his death.
Now verses 24-27 talks of taxes. Two drachma tax is an annual temple tax required of every male 20 years and older for the upkeep of the temple. This amount of money was equalivant to two days wages. The sons of the priests were exempt from paying the tax at all. Surely if the priests sons didn't have to pay the the Son of God shouldn't have had to pay either, but he did anyway. Jesus told Peter to go fishing. In the mouth of the fish he caught was a four drachma coin. Enough for his tax and Peters. He and the disciples would have been exempt from the tax but Jesus didn't want to offend the religious leaders so they paid.
Verse 15.....some seizures were the result of demon possession. This was one of those times a a Jesus got rid of the demon.
Notice in verse 16 the man had asked the disciples to get the demon out, but they acted like they couldn't. Jesus gave them power for is task, but because of their little faith they could not do it.
Verse 22 is the second time Jesus predicts his death.
Now verses 24-27 talks of taxes. Two drachma tax is an annual temple tax required of every male 20 years and older for the upkeep of the temple. This amount of money was equalivant to two days wages. The sons of the priests were exempt from paying the tax at all. Surely if the priests sons didn't have to pay the the Son of God shouldn't have had to pay either, but he did anyway. Jesus told Peter to go fishing. In the mouth of the fish he caught was a four drachma coin. Enough for his tax and Peters. He and the disciples would have been exempt from the tax but Jesus didn't want to offend the religious leaders so they paid.
I can't imagine what it would have been like to see Jesus transfigure. And then to see Moses and Elijah there as well. Moses is one of my biblical hero's!! Then to actually hear God's voice... wow!!! I would have been afraid as well, but also overwhelmed with joy as a I was walking down the mountain. I have prayed to see Jesus return to earth. I try to imagine what it will be like to see him thundering in a could. To know that he is back and things will be right in the world. And those guys actually got to see him transfigure and hear God's voice... wow....
ReplyDeleteI used the demon stories in the bible to try to get my sister's boyfriend to read it. He is a person that likes those scary movies. I read the story about Jesus sending demons into a herd of pigs to my sister, so she could share it with him.
As for the lack of faith... well that is struggle that we all deal with. I know I think about my lack of faith. I wish and pray that it will grow stronger.
My sisters boyfriend likes to fish. Maybe I can use the story of getting money from the fish on him as well.
I love the book of Matthew!!
Jesus transfiguring is a great story in the bible. Them seeing Moses would have be a treat in itself as he one of my biblical hero's. But seeing Jesus in spiritual form... wow!!! I have imagined what it would be like when he returns and to see thundering in on a cloud.. Or to see him in heaven to actually talk to him and hear him tell the stories of the bible as he did them. I hope I get the chance to see him.
ReplyDeleteAs for the demons. I told the story of how Jesus sent the demons into the pigs to my sister. I told my sister's boyfriend that he would like the story as he likes scary movies. I am hoping that will get him to read it for himself and maybe even read a little more than that story.
Maybe I should tell him the story of the fish as he likes fishing.
Bruce....what you mean when you say you hope you get the chance to see him?
ReplyDeleteWhat I find amazing is that those demons wanted to go into the pigs. Just the fact that they knew Jesus and what power he has is even more amazing. And correct jef I'm wrong but didn't they want to go in the pigs so they didn't have to go into hades (hell) yet? Good always wins over evil. Jesus wins every time.
I think if the door gets opened for you to share any Bibls stories you should take it. God word is powerful and by telling any aspect of His word you will be planting a seed.
What i mean by being able to see him. Well there are things i don't know. Like how heaven works. Will my past sins keep me from seeing all there is to se in heaven. I may only get to see certain portions of it and may not be able to see Jesus as i don't rate that from my past sins. Although getting to heaven in any way will an awesome thing, from what i have learned we will all held accountable for our sins. I also would lying if i did not say that Matthew 7:21 was not a worry to me.
ReplyDeleteAs for the demons. isn't that amazing that they knew who Jesus was. Even demons could recognize him when some humans that saw what he did and could not.
Yes... I'm learning to take opportunities when they come. I still need some help of course but i am trying to get better.
First of all Jesus died for your sins so they will be not be an issue in heaven. You will not answer for sins committed in this life as you think. We will answer for things we did or didn't do within the body for Gods glory. Revelation 21:4......no death, nor mourning, or crying or pain in heaven. So if our sins would be an issue in heaven.....Jesus would have died in vain and we would have sadness and crying over our past sins......and this verse tells us we will have none of that in heaven.
ReplyDeleteNext thing.....look up Micah 7:19.....God puts our sins once confessed on the ocean floor. And Isaiah 38:17 tells us all our sins are behind Gods back. He is choosing to remember them no more. Jesus paid the price for our sin debt so we have no worry of them coming out in heaven. Can God tell us about them in heaven? Of course he can....he is God and can do whatever he pleases but if we hold on to the promises He gives us.....we are safe in His arms.
Matthew 7:21 should scare people.....but these verses are talking of false prophets. People spreading false doctrine. We will recognize legit Jesus loving people by their fruit. Here Matthew is telling us that true faith in Jesus will produce the fruit of good works. There are a lot of people who think and say Jesus is Lord.....but their hearts are far from that. They think If they say all the right things then that gives them merit with God. The Lord knows our heart and our motives. He can spot and knows who is false and who truly is his. Just by being around you Bruce and how much you show gratitude for all Christ did for you.....I'd say you are in good shape. If you have doubts, talk to God about it and let Him know your concerns. I'm sure He will give you the peace in your heart you need.
I agree with you about the demons. It does amaze me how people right in front of him witnessing His miracles couldn't accept Him.....but I feel we would be the same way. But satan and his demons know who God is and they know the Word.....so we have to be careful.
You are growing.....no doubt about that. We all have places we can work on. It's a privilege to be a part of the same church family as you where we can all grow together.
I would be lying if i said i was totally secure in me going to heaven. I think i am in a good place, but there is still doubt. There is also not knowing what heaven will be like. I have heard heaven described many ways. A place where there is one enormous house with millions of rooms. I place of milk and honey. A beautiful oasis with green field and trees and the sun always shines. even a place of just pure spirit. I have also heard that our sins will keep us from seeing parts of heaven, even if we get there. So, there is doubt and even fear of the unknown as you have in your latest post. But, even if i make it heaven and Jesus says " hey everybody!! The guy that scrubs the toilets is here" I would be just dancing in the streets, compared to what the alternative.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement. I like the direction i'm headed and hopefully it will just keep increasing.
Will you be in church this Sunday?
ReplyDeleteYes we should there
ReplyDelete