Day 23: Matthew 17

Jesus is God's true Son, greater than Moses or Elijah- listen to Him and trust Him.

Jesus takes some of His disciples up a mountain and they get a glimpse of His glory. This is not the Kingdom of Heaven coming, this is not the end, although Peter seems to think this is permanent. In fact they still haven't grasped that the cross must come before the Kingdom. They haven't grasped that 'Elijah' has come because they didn't expect him to suffer and die either. They don't understand the pattern of the Kingdom. Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain. Two great prophets of Old, but it is of Jesus that God says 'This is my beloved Son'. The application is to listen to Him, which we see the disciples starting to do.

When he comes down the mountain His disciples have been unable to heal someone. The reason given is their lack of faith (in Jesus). Faith here again is highlighted as the crucial ingredient for the disciples, but also what they lack.

The chapter ends with a veiled challenge to Jesus. Does he pay His taxes. Jesus does, in obedience to the earthly authorities, but uses this to teach Peter again that He is the Son of God (and therefore actually exempt from the temple tax).

Apologies for the delay in this and for these next few ones.