Matthew Chapter 17

Matthew Chapter 17

After six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John high up on the mountain.  He was transfigured before them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes were as white as the light.   Moses and Elias appeared to talk to him.  Peter asked JC it’s it okay for us to be here?  Will you let us make you three tabernacles, which from my understanding are tents or structures, one for each you, Moses, and Elias.  While he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud saying this is my beloved son, who pleases me, you should listen to him.  Well that scared our disciples, who fell face down.  Jesus touched them, and said arise, don’t be afraid.

  

When they looked up only JC was there.   Jesus told them not to tell anyone about the vision until after he had died and risen. His disciples asked him why the scribes day that Elias must come first?  And JC told them that Elias truly will come first and restore all things.  But Elias has come, but no one knew it, they did what they wanted with him, and I will suffer at their hands too.  The disciples understood he was talking about John the Baptist.  I’m glad the disciples knew because I get confused whenever someone mentions Elias.   He wasn’t so mentioned all that much in my churchgoing experience.

 

When they came down to talk to the masses a man knelt down and told him his son was a lunatic and vexed, and often falls in the fire or the water.  I brought him to your disciples but they couldn’t cure him.  JC says O faithless and perverse generation how long will I be with you, how long will I suffer you,?  Bring him to me.  And JC rebuked that devil form the child and he was cured.  The disciples asked why they couldn’t cast out that devil. JC told them they lacked faith.  Remember I told you have to believe in the  mustard seed, you have to tell the mountain to move, and is should move.  Nothing is impossible for you.   Nevertheless this kind doesn’t go out by prayer and fasting.    Wow JC can do just about anything, but he doesn’t seem too into the fasting.  Interesting isn't it.

 

While they stayed in Galilee, JC told them I will be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill me, and on the third day I’ll rise again.  And everyone felt really sorry for JC.

 

When they were in Capernaum, the people who collected the tribute money came to Peter and asked if his master paid tribute.  He said yes and when Peter came into the house JC prevented him.  He asked what were you thinking Simon?  Who pays tribute to kings?  Their children or strangers?  Peter answered strangers.  And JC told him that the children are free.  None the less we shouldn’t offend them.  I want you to go to the sea, and catch a fish.  When you open his mouth you will find some money, you can give that to them from us.

I am no good at fishing so I can’t even wish that I could catch fish with money in their mouths.   But that’s a pretty neat trick.  Kind of awesome JC and with a nice twist of whimsical fun.