Day 48, Matthew 17
After the solemn warnings about the perils of not following wholeheartedly, Matthew now shows us a glimpse of the opposite scenario: Jesus is up a mountain with His closest friends, and the glory of heaven shines from Him, just as it did from Moses after meeting God face-to-face on Mount Sinai. Moses is here too (representing the Law) along with Elijah (representing the prophets). Thus this event shows Peter, Jacob (James) and John that Jesus is authenticated by the whole of scripture and the voice of God!
This revelation is still veiled from many. Hence the man bringing his demonized son to Jesus because the disciples can’t cast out the demon. Their mistake was to lack faith (in other words they failed to be persuaded by God’s revelation). It doesn’t take much, but it does take a little! A little persuasion goes a long way, so be persuaded by God’s love to trust Him.
And trust is what Peter needed in the final section of this chapter. He got himself “on the hook” for paying the Temple tax when challenged by the tax collectors. Although Jesus is a Son of the King (and thus exempt from the tax in God’s sight), he still gets Peter “off the hook” but sending him to throw out a hook and catch a fish that comes to be caught, bringing a coin with it!
Has it ever occurred to you that God is not taxed (pun intended) by your mistakes? He even wants to bail you out with a little humor as He saves you from your own fallibility!
Have a great day!
Mark.