Matthew 17

Matthew 17 is a great chapter, so take time and read it.  I love this chapter because it tells the story of the transfiguration of Jesus.  However, I'm not going to write about that.  Just know that it is worth reading (of course it is it's in the Bible).

Jesus and three disciples, Peter, James and John, go up to the mountaintop where Jesus is transfigured into His heavenly glory.  What an awesome experience this must have been.  The disciples get to see the heavenly body of Jesus, Moses and Elijah.  Peter even asks Jesus if he can build tents so they can stay up there, but Jesus says no.  Jesus does this for many reasons but one of those reasons is this: we don't live on the mountaintop.

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience?  Maybe it was at a conference, a revival, church camp or a concert.  These are awesome, but we cannot be true Christians if we spend all our time at conferences.  Jesus and His disciples go from the mountaintop straight back into the mess.  Mountaintop experience are used to refuel Christians, but they are not the entirety of the Christian race.  They are the sprint when the race is a marathon.

Jesus and his disciples come down from the mountaintop to see the other nine disciples struggling with the ability to heal a man.  Off the mountaintop they saw disease and demons.  Jesus heals the man that the nine disciples couldn't.  When they ask why they couldn't heal the man Jesus says it was an issue of faith.

Jesus says that faith, even the smallest of faiths, can move a mountain.

Verse 21- "Nothing will be impossible for you."  This verse can only be true through faith that is sustained by Christ.

The chapter ends much different than it starts but I love the final story in verses 24 through the end of the chapter.  Peter gets into a discussion about a tax the disciples need to pay.  (Jesus says that He, the King, should be exempt but He tells Peter to pay anyway).  So Peter needs to pay this tax.  Jesus tells Peter to go fishing (Peter is a fisherman by trade), and when Peter catches a fish Jesus tells him to be sure to take the money for the tax out of the fish's mouth.

This story has a lot to say about Jesus being King.  However, it also shows how Jesus provides for us.  Jesus provided money for Peter through Peter's expertise.  Jesus used Peter's skill as a fisherman to provide for Peter.  He does the same for us.  Jesus uses our jobs and our passions to provide us with the things we need.  So thank God for your job.

So be sure to read this chapter.  Remember that we do not live on the mountaintop, remember that "Nothing will be impossible for you", and remember to thank God for providing for you through your job today.