God Speaks
Transfiguration, Torment, Temple Tax, Tattling and Temptation
Verse of the Day: While he was still speaking,a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5 and Mark 9:7 NIV 2011 are nearly identical.)
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We Respond
Matthew 17
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Matthew 17:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God the Father knew, approved of, and directed Jesus’ mission here on the earth.
2. People are astounded when they see God’s glory displayed in such events as the transfiguration or the healing of the demon-harassed boy.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Matthew 17?
Thank You, Father God, for giving Peter, James, and John a glimpse of Jesus in His glory in the transfiguration. Moses and Elijah were there as well, which Peter acknowledged, but it was Your voice, Father God, from the cloud that was most important. You affirmed Jesus’ life and mission when You said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” Then, Jesus, You assuaged the disciples’ fear and explained how John the Baptist fulfilled the hopes of the Jews that Elijah would herald the presence and ministry of the Messiah. You tried to warn them that You would suffer as John did, but they didn’t understand. When You came down from the mountain, You healed an epileptic, demonically harassed boy, and taught his frantic father (as well as the disciples and all who witnessed it) about faith. It is not the size of our faith that matters (small as a mustard seed), but the size and power of the object of our faith-–You, LORD. The temple tax incident is an example of how You provide what Your children need in unexpected ways. Please help me to keep turning to You so that You will be glorified. AMEN.
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Matthew 17?
- I will spend at least 15 minutes meditating on what Jesus’s glorified body looks like, using the book of Revelation as a reference.
- I will look in a commentary, concordance, bible dictionary, or other references to learn more about Moses and Elijah. Why were they the ones speaking with Jesus at His transfiguration?
- I will seek to answer the question: Why did Jesus (whom most people would say was exceptionally good) have to suffer? Does that help to explain why bad things happen to “good” people?
- I will make a list of ways Father God has provided for me in unexpected ways, thank Him for each one, and share them with _______ (a specific person). This is one way to glorify God.
Mark 9
Reflection: The transfiguration gave Peter, James, and John a glimpse of Jesus in His resurrected body and of His interaction with Father God. Jesus’s healing of the boy with an unclean spirit demonstrates how all things are possible to those who believe in Jesus Christ and the Father. Even though Jesus had told them of His upcoming death and resurrection previously, the disciples (let alone the public) still did not understand or believe Him. “Who is the greatest?” is a question each person must answer. Unless we believe that God (Father, Son, and Spirit) is the greatest, we will not be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. We must exhibit childlike trust that relies totally on Him for all our needs and trustingly obeys Him. Oh, that we believers in Christ would unite and see that anyone not against us is for us and not fight, quarrel, or be in competition with each other. Jesus’s teaching in verses 42-50 emphasizes the importance of not letting even parts of our own bodies prevent us from enjoying eternity with God. We are to live at peace with ourselves, other people, and God, depending on Him and interdependent on each other.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for giving Peter, James, and John a glimpse of Your resurrected glory and that they recorded it for us in the scriptures. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief so that I might see You do miracles in and through me and other believers. May I, in childlike faith, rejoice when You do mighty works through others doing things in Your name, even if they don’t do it my way or are not part of my group. Don’t let me cause others to sin, especially children, but help me to live at peace with them and encourage them in You, Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will research why Moses and Elijah were chosen to appear with Jesus at His transfiguration.
- I will bring a situation I consider impossible to God and trust Him to deal with it. I will thank Him for whatever He does because He knows best.
- I will ask the Lord to show me how He wants me to be involved with ministry to children: sharing the gospel with them or protecting them from people who would lead them into sin such as child exploitation or teaching them godless philosophies. I’ll do whatever He shows me.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me root out of my life anything that would keep me from enjoying eternity with my great and awesome Savior.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.