Matthew 17 - Jesus Transfigured and Heals a Boy With a Demon
Jesus loved all the people and had a great relationship with the crowd. His relationship with the twelve disciples was even closer. Peter and the two brothers James and John went with Jesus everywhere. Jesus was transfigured before them.
1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, Jesus loved all the people and had a great relationship with the crowd. His relationship with the twelve disciples was even closer. Even though Jesus taught that there was no one greater among the disciples, He did have His favorites. Peter and the two brothers James and John went with Jesus everywhere. These are the three Jesus took to the mountain with Him to be alone. (Three representing spiritual completeness). Three disciples as His witnesses. (2 Corinthians 13:1).
2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Transfigured into another form. Luke tells us that Jesus began to pray before He was transfigured into the spirit body. (Luke 9:29). The same as it will be in the Lord's Day at Christ's return. (Revelation 1:13-17, 19:12-13).
3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Here we have the "three" talking together transfigured in spirit bodies. (Again, three representing spiritual completeness). Why Moses and Elijah (Elias)? Moses was symbolic of the law and Elijah was the prophet of all prophets. (Together they represent the Old Testament declaring who Jesus was). Christ and the disciples would represent the New Testament. Keep in mind that nobody knows where the bodies of Moses and Elijah are because they were both taken by the Lord. (Deuteronomy 34:5-6, 2 Kings 2:11-14).
4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. I believe Peter was still thinking a little in the flesh here. But then again, maybe he didn't realize where he was, or maybe he was thinking of what Christ said earlier at the end of chapter 16. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matthew 16:28). Was this the moment Peter was thinking about?
5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. I think this got the attention of the disciples as the Lord spoke, "Hear Him!" Literally, "hear and obey Him." Do you hear what Christ has to say in His Word?
6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. They heard the voice of God for real and of course they were terrified. You would be too.
7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. This was their Heavenly Father speaking, and they were afraid. That little lack of faith and understanding brought on their fear.
8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. The three disciples had just seen Moses and Elijah, and heard the voice of the Heavenly Father, then in a instant, they were gone. Only Christ was left present. A lesson to us to keep our eyes on Jesus; the living God.
9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Wait till that moment then tell them. Christ showed Peter, James, and John ahead of time that He would be resin again in the spirit body, just as He would return in the future. Perhaps giving them a little exclusive prophecy to build their faith on.
10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? Why do the Jewish leaders insists Elijah (Elias) must come first before the Messiah comes?
11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. They are right. Elijah must come first and set everything in order. (Malachi 4:5).
12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Christ told them that Elijah has already come, but wasn't recognized and mistreated. And I, the Messiah, shall also suffer at their hands. You see, John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah and fulfilled the prophecy. (Luke 1:17, Matthew 11:13-14), but they did not receive him.
13Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. Now they realized Christ was speaking of John the Baptist. (a voice crying in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord).
14And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Knelt before Jesus and worshiped him.
15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for often times he falleth into the fire, and often into the water. Lunar being moon (child of the night) like Satan; the prince of darkness. "This boy was demon possessed." (Mark 9:18, Luke 9:39).
16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. This one was different, they were not prepared for this one. (Lack of faith). "They needed the real deal to heal this boy."
17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. Again, Christ charging them with little faith.
18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Ordered him out! Don't mess around with the devil and his demons. "Order them out!" If you have the faith.
19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? Why can't we do it? Good question for many preachers today who lack faith and power of the Holy Spirit.
20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. They could not do it because of their non-belief and little faith in God to do amazing thing. You see, you may have knowledge and faith, but it can't be faith in yourself or any man. You must believe (have faith), that "God" has the ability to do amazing things through the "Holy Spirit," not through you or any other man. (1 Corinthians 12:9, Luke 1:37, 18:27).
21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. This was no ordinary demon, he was a tough one. The point being, some things in life are going to require more faith than others to overcome. It takes time to build up real faith, and the only way to increase your faith is through the study of God's Word. For them it was a lifestyle of prayer and fasting. We need the same lifestyle if we are going to handle this type of situation. (Acts 14:23, Ephesians 6:18).
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: It's going to happen.
23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. They were really sad and filled with grief. But, did they take in what He had just said. Jesus is preparing them for what lies ahead with His death by crucifixion, but it seems that they were still surprised when it actually happens. (God warns us what is ahead in His word, but we must pay attention, or we may be surprised).
24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? This tribute seems to have been the half shekel which every male among the Jews paid yearly for the support of the temple. (Exodus 30:13).
25He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? The Kings would take tribute from strangers, not their own children or princes.
26Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. In other words, those who are part of the Kingdom do not pay tribute, they are free. They were in the presence of the King and they wanted to tax Him. Just as you are free today because Christ paid the price on the cross.
27Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Trying to take tribute from God Himself. Jesus said to pay them so they are not offended and to keep the peace. Protecting His credibility, just as we need to do at times today.
Keep the faith,
Barton
