Matthew 18:1-14 - A new heart

18:1-5

The disciples still have much to learn, and the next lesson is about to happen. The disciples asked Jesus “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Why did they ask this at this point, was it because Jesus has seemed to denigrate the religious leaders, the ones who they might have assumed were the top notch in the kingdom.

Jesus tells them that they need a radically different approach. They needed to welcome people who were considered to be of no importance, and could offer no immediate benefit. So He uses the example of a little child. The disciples needed to change.

18:6-9

As well as welcoming the undervalued, they needed to be careful not to cause them to stumble. The Pharisees were very strict, and Jesus has seriously criticised them. However that did not mean that sin was not serious, and needed to be dealt with seriously. Sin is serious.

18:10-14

Sometimes the weak would wander, in such a case we are not just to write them off, but to make an effort  to restore them. So he gives the parable of the lost sheep. God wants to save the lost.

MATT 17:22-27 - Fishing for money

17:22,23

Jesus reminds them yet again that He is going to suffer, be killed and then rise again. Since He has shown them His glory He is emphasising the cross all the more. Note that although He has mentioned His death and resurrection, it is His death that seems to be what His disciples are focused on. The concept of resurrection meant nothing to them, but death did, so they were filled with grief.

17:24-27

The mundane realities of life continue to hit them. Now they are asked for the temple tax. Peter tells Jesus what happened. Jesus replies that it is ridiculous for the children of the king to be asked for taxes. Even so, Jesus pays the tax, using miraculous means, with the money being supplied by a fish. So they are aware of the true situation and status, but also not causing unnecessary offence. 

Matthew 17:14-21 - Moving mountains

17:14-20

The disciples are quickly brought back down to earth. When they get back down to the crowd a man approaches Jesus pleading with him to have mercy on his son. The boy was having seizures, but the disciples had been unable to heal him.Jesus is frustrated with them, it seems that He is frustrated with the crowd as much as the disciples, calling them an “unbelieving and perverse generation. The implication is that Jesus expects us to see more miracles than we do. Jesus rebuked the demon and the boy was healed at once.

The disciples ask Jesus why they could not drive it out. Jesus tells them it is because of their lack of faith. He then says if they have faith as small as a mustard seed they can move mountains. It is not that we need enormous amounts of faith, just a little.

Some manuscripts are similar to Mark 9:29, adding that prayer, or prayer and fasting is needed.

Matthew 17:9-13 - Elijah

17:9

Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about what they had seen until He had been raised from the dead. Jesus only gave this vision to them after He had told them about his death and resurrection. We can only understand the glory of Christ after we understand the cross.

17:10-13

The disciples asked Jesus why the religious teachers said Elijah must come first. This was based on Malachi 4:5. This also explains why they were concerned about John the Baptist.  Jesus says they are right, but Elijah has already come, i.e. John the Baptist, but they did not recognise him. John suffered, Jesus would also suffer.

Matthew 17:1-8 Transfirgured

17:1-3

In John’s gospel chapter 17 we get Jesus’ prayer for himself, his disciples and for us. Here we have another personal insight into Jesus. He has just told His disciples about his suffering that is to come, now he gives more insight, this time into His glory, The suffering and the glory go together. He takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain, there Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone and his clothes became white as light. Next, Moses and Elijah appeared with him. So there are two key elements here, one is His glory, the other is that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament stuff.

17:4-8

True to form, Peter blurts something out, offering to put up three shelters. He wanted to preserve the moment. God the Father then tells them what the most important thing is, namely to listen to Jesus. Jesus is the fulfilment of Deut 18:15. The disciples fell down at the presence of God. Jesus tells them to not be afraid and to get up. They did and Jesus was the only one present.

Matthew 16:21-28 - Get behind me Satan!

16:21-28

Jesus then starts to tell His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer much. Peter is appalled at the idea and tries to dissuade Jesus from this path. Note that one minute having received revelation from God, the next minute Peter is speaking the words of Satan. We must never get full of ourselves. Jesus knew it was Satan trying to get him. Jesus  then tells the disciples that not only must He suffer, but they too must be prepared to suffer. Currently they do not appreciate the enormity of what is happening and about to happen.

Mtthew 16:13-20 - Who do you say I am?

16:13-20

This is one of the most well known passages in Matthew, containing the key question “who do you say I am?”, and is often used as the basis for evangelistic talks. Jesus starts by asking the disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”. The people had various ideas, some saying he was John the Baptist, others saying Elijah, and some Jeremiah or one of the prophets. All these were wrong, possibly based on a misunderstanding of  John the Baptist’s teaching.. \even though they were wrong, they recognised that Jesus was special. Jesus then turns the question directly at the disciples. Peter immediately replies “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”. Jesus replies that Peter was right and was blessed, also that this wisdom did not depend upon human wisdom, but on revelation from God the Father. “On this rock”, the church is built upon the truth of who Jesus is. If we try to build on any other foundation we will be building on sand. This includes things like Jesus was a good man and teachers, or the “foundation” of loving people. The church built upon the truth of who Jesus is will not be defeated, not even by death. The church will also have authority, because it will be walking in the will of God. Jesus does not want them to publicise this knowledge yet.