Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Matthew 17

What does it say?
Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus transfigured before Peter, James and John on a high mountain by themselves. Peter wanted to make three tabernacles but God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him!” The three men were terrified until Jesus touched them and said, “Do not be afraid.” When they looked up they saw Jesus alone. Jesus told the three disciples to not tell anyone this vision until he had risen from the dead. They questioned Jesus about Old Testament prophecy concerning Elijah and in so many words, Jesus told them that John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus rebuked a demon who was afflicting a young boy but he called those in the vicinity of the boy an unbelieving and perverted generation. The disciples asked Jesus why they could not drive out the demon and he told them because of the littleness of their faith. Jesus told the disciples that he was going to be arrested and killed but he would raised on the third day; however, they were grieved to hear this news. Jesus did not offend concerning the law of Moses, he commanded that Peter catch a fish and pay the temple tax with a coin from the fish’s mouth. 

What does it mean?
Moses represents the Old Testament law, the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. Elijah represents all of the other books in the Old Testament. We should not follow the law and the prophets but follow the Son of God. We are to observe all that Jesus commanded his disciples. We are to observe the law of Christ. The law of Christ is the law of love: the example of Christ, the teaching Christ, and the teaching of the apostles. Therefore, we should interpret the Old Testament in light of Christ, or shall I say, in light of the New Testament. We are to have faith in Jesus Christ, he is the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through him. (Jn. 14:7) Through faith in Jesus Christ great things can be done for the Kingdom of God; however, they may not seem great in the kingdom of man. It did not seem great that their leader would be handed over to men and killed. It slipped their mind that he said that he would be raised on the third day. We are to have faith in the Son of God alone!

What shall I do?
I shall believe in Jesus and listen to him. I am not a mystic but I believe that the Lord speaks to us through the Spirit of truth. We have the New Testament writings of the apostles. The apostles have given us the law of Christ. Everything that we know about Christ came to us from the apostles and the Holy Spirit tells us that what they said is truth. Therefore, I shall observe the law of Christ and put my faith in Jesus Christ alone, he is the Son of God. I shall observe all that is taught in the New Testament and interpret the Old Testament in light of Jesus Christ.