The chapter begins with Jesus taking Peter, James and John up onto a mountain top and He was transfigured before them. His face was like the sun, His clothes became as white as the light and then Moses and Elijah appeared to them. Peter’s instinct was to ask permission to build three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Tabernacles were shelters built for transportable dwelling sites for preaching. Peters heart was in the right place by wanting to act and do something to serve but the timing was off, this was the time for worship and relationships and adoration with what God was allowing them to see. Often times we act out doing what we think is right, our hearts our in the right place but our minds are thinking and acting out in the flesh.
Suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, in white I am well pleased. Hear Him!” When the disciples heard this they fell to the ground on their faces greatly afraid. Jesus told them not to fear and told them to arise and when they did they saw Jesus only. They then left the mountaintop and Jesus told them not to tell anyone until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. Jesus knew that they didn’t fully understand all that just happened and it wouldn’t make sense just yet, the message would make more sense after the resurrection. To share the message before fully understanding it could create confusion for everyone and when the revelation has fully sunk in it could affect people wanting to hear it because of the original confusion it came with. Sometimes we might receive a message that doesn’t fully make sense, wait, be patient for the revelation to sink in before sharing it with others. Wait till it makes more sense. A few weeks ago I received a message that I didn’t fully understand, so I meditated on it and let it marinate for a bit. Three weeks later it all made sense and the events that unfolded made the message really come to life. Patience is important, waiting can make the difference.
The disciples asked if Elijah were to come first, and Jesus confirmed that He will and has already came. This confirmed to the disciples that He was regarding John the Baptist.
The chapter then goes to a man who approaches Jesus for healing for his son, who suffers from epilepsy. He tells Jesus that he already took his son to the disciples for healing and they were unable to heal him and begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus said, “ O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him and the child was cured that very hour.
The disciples didn’t understand why the boy wasn’t healed when they prayed over him but was healed when Jesus cast out the demon. Jesus aid that it was because of their unbelief, all they needed was faith the size of a mustard seed and if they wanted they could tell a mountain to move and it would and nothing would be impossible. This kind of faith Jesus says comes by prayer and fasting. When we pray for someone and don’t see healing its not because they person needing healing doesn’t have faith, it goes but your faith. You can pray for an unborn again, agnostic stranger and they can be healed in Jesus name if you have faith in what you are praying for. When we pray for people, we need to have full belief in what we are saying, and realized it isn’t us doing it, its Jesus in us.
Jesus then predicts His death the second time, as well as His resurrection. The disciples were sorrowful, they weren’t even able to receive the good news of the resurrection, they were focused on the death part. Often time we focus on the immediate and don’t take a step back to see the overall bigger picture. We need to step back more and see God’s bigger picture to help us through the immediate.
All Jewish males had to pay taxes to support temple upkeep. Jesus tried to point out His kingly role to His disciples, He told Peter that just as kings pay no taxes and collect none Fromm their family, Jesus owed not taxes as well. But, to resist offending them because He knew they wouldn’t understand He told Peter to go to the sea, cast a hook out and take the first fish that comes up. In its mouth will be money for not just Jesus’ taxes but Peters as well. Jesus supplied the money but had Peter go get it. God can truly make money come from nowhere when we are in need, but we have to fully surrender and rely on Him to supply our needs. Jobs are good, but jobs are better when it is the God appointed job for you specifically. Always remember that what you have isn’t because of your doing, its because of God’s supply and your cooperation in Him.
