October 21: Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9:28-62

October 21, Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9:28-62

Matthew, Mark, and Luke continued…

Matthew 17

• The Transfiguration. By the worlds definition, to transfigure means to transform into something more beautiful or elevated. Here Jesus takes Peter, James, & John to a mountain. When they were with Him, Jesus was literally transfigured before them. His face was radiant and his clothes became white as light. While Jesus was there Moses & Elijah joined him! Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” I love Peter… Nervous and didn't know what else to say except lets build some homes and hang out for a while! While Peter was speaking, God spoke! “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Boom. When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified, rightfully so. Jesus came to them and comforted them and told them to get up and not fear. When they got up, it was only Jesus. They asked Jesus why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come. Jesus then explained to them that Elijah, who they just saw, came as John the Baptist. Not literally, but figuratively. 
• Jesus heals a boy with a demon. The disciples couldn't rebuke this demon out of the boy. The father of the boy came to Jesus and asked him for help. Jesus was disappointed with his disciples not being able to help and rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. Their faith was not great enough to believe that this demon could be rebuked. Jesus explained to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Is your faith able to move mountains or not?
• Jesus again foretells His death & Resurrection. While they were walking with Jesus, he explained again that “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” Jesus knew what He was walking into and did it anyway. He was a true prophet. 
• The Temple Tax. What a cool story! Peter was trying to be tricked by some tax collectors about who should pay taxes. Jesus explained in order to not offend them and not pay them, to go throw a line into the water and take the fish that he was to catch. In its mouth Peter will find some money to pay the taxes, for both Jesus & Peter. See below…

Mark 9

• The Transfiguration. Very similar to Matthews account - Mark does add that Peter did not know what to say because he was so terrified. Speechless. I can’t say that I would be much different!
• Jesus heals a boy with a demon, Jesus foretelling His death. Again, very similar to Matthew. See above.
• Arguments amongst the disciples. The disciples were arguing over who was the greatest among them… Jesus sat down with them and got His point across this way: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,  “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” To be first before God, serve others. Take care of the kids and protect them. 
• Sins and kids. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” I would say that Jesus is not playing around here. Think about it… if you morally or spiritually cause a child to sin - you are on the hook for it. This is everything from sex trafficking to not protecting children in many simple ways. 
• We must eradicate sin in our lives before it ruins us. I have said it many on time on this blog, and this is where it comes from. Jesus gives 3 analogies about what we are to do with sin and how to avoid it - for example, And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire…” We need our extremities to function but God is telling us it would be better for us to do whatever it takes to eradicate the sin so that it does not separate us from Him. It is obvious that Jesus is using a hyperbole, but the point still remains - where is your desires and your heart? If they are for Christ you will not want to sin. Tempted, sure. Want to sin - NO.

Luke 9:28-62

• A good recap of all the other gospels. Instead of breaking it down, see above. 
• The one I would like to highlight… The Cost of Following Jesus. “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Where is your heart at? Have you given up what Jesus is calling you to or are you still making up ‘good’ excuses as to why you haven't given it up yet?

To sum it all up: 

• The power of God is overwhelming. Take some time to meditate and look around today at what God is capable of and what you are capable of when you place your faith in Christ Jesus.  
• Do you believe that if Jesus told you to go and fish for some money that he would provide? God supernaturally provides for His people. It doesn't always look how we would want it to or even imagine, but we are to trust in His Goodness always. These are not just words!