[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 17
Bible Verses:
“ 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)
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)
“When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.” (Matthew 17:22-23)
“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (Matthew 17:27)
THE TRANSFIGURATION (vs. 1-13)
“Transfigure” means a change from within which refers to the Christian growth in holiness. There were 7 participants: Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah and God the Father – on the mountain.
THE PURPOSE OF TRANSFIGURATIOn;
- To assure them of the promised kingdom
- To strengthen Christ for His suffering
- To encourage the disciples as they faced separation from the Lord.
THE HEALING OF A BOY WITH A DEMON (vs. 14-23)
A boy with a demon suffered seizures and fell into fire or into water. His father brought him to Jesus because the disciples failed to heal him. When Jesus rebuked the demon, it came out and the boy was healed. The disciples asked Jesus why they were not able to drive it out. Jesus answered: “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (v. 21)
THE TEMPLE TAX (vs. 24-27)
According to Jewish tradition, every male must pay the temple tax of half shekel (Exo. 30:11). Since Jesus was the child of the king, he id not need to pay the tax. But Christ proved his kingship by performing a miracle. He asked his disciples to go to the lake, throw out the line, take the first fish, open its mouth, find the 4 drachma coins, take it and give it to them for their tax” (v. 27)
This miracle is peculiar and complicated. A coin had to be lost in the sea. A fish had to take it in its mouth. And the fish had to bite on Peter’s hook. It proved that Christ has dominion over the fish of the sea.
LESSON:
The transfiguration is a revelation of His inward glory, not outward light. Every Christian needs to experience metamorphosis – a change from within – before he can shine for Him in holy living.
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