Jesus and the followers were walking down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you can tell people about what you saw."
—Matthew 17:9
Key Thought
Once again, Jesus cautions his disciples about what they have seen. They are not to speak about it until they have the key to telling this incredible truth!
How can they explain what they have seen? Why they don't even understand it yet themselves. Like so many things Jesus said and did in his ministry, this one does not make sense until they have the key to telling it.
What is that key? Why it's the resurrection of course. The resurrection validates the crucified Messiah they had such a hard time accepting. The resurrection validates God become human flesh and being subject to death. It's the key that makes everything else possible.
So what about you? Do you have the key to telling?
Today's Prayer
Holy God, I praise you for your power in raising Jesus from death and making his death and resurrection the saving events in my own life. Through your Spirit, dear Lord, please help me to keep surrendering to death all that is not good in me and raise up with power those things that are holy and good. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. His face became bright like the sun. And his clothes became white as light. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While Peter was talking, a bright cloud came over them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Obey him!" The followers with Jesus heard this voice. They were very afraid, so they fell to the ground. But Jesus came to the followers and touched them. Jesus said, "Stand up. Don't be afraid." The followers looked up, and they saw Jesus was now alone. Jesus and the followers were walking down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you can tell people about what you saw." The followers asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first {before the Christ comes}?" Jesus answered, "They are right to say that Elijah is coming. And it is true that Elijah will make all things the way they should be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People did not know who he was. People did to him all the {bad} things they wanted to do. It is the same with the Son of Man. Those same people will make the Son of Man suffer." Then the followers understood that Jesus meant that John the Baptizer was really Elijah.Matthew 17:1-13
Related Scripture Readings
— Matt. 16:21
— Matt. 17:22-23
— Matt. 21:17-19
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 17:9
Key Thought
Once again, Jesus cautions his disciples about what they have seen. They are not to speak about it until they have the key to telling this incredible truth!
How can they explain what they have seen? Why they don't even understand it yet themselves. Like so many things Jesus said and did in his ministry, this one does not make sense until they have the key to telling it.
What is that key? Why it's the resurrection of course. The resurrection validates the crucified Messiah they had such a hard time accepting. The resurrection validates God become human flesh and being subject to death. It's the key that makes everything else possible.
So what about you? Do you have the key to telling?
Today's Prayer
Holy God, I praise you for your power in raising Jesus from death and making his death and resurrection the saving events in my own life. Through your Spirit, dear Lord, please help me to keep surrendering to death all that is not good in me and raise up with power those things that are holy and good. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. His face became bright like the sun. And his clothes became white as light. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While Peter was talking, a bright cloud came over them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Obey him!" The followers with Jesus heard this voice. They were very afraid, so they fell to the ground. But Jesus came to the followers and touched them. Jesus said, "Stand up. Don't be afraid." The followers looked up, and they saw Jesus was now alone. Jesus and the followers were walking down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you can tell people about what you saw." The followers asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first {before the Christ comes}?" Jesus answered, "They are right to say that Elijah is coming. And it is true that Elijah will make all things the way they should be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People did not know who he was. People did to him all the {bad} things they wanted to do. It is the same with the Son of Man. Those same people will make the Son of Man suffer." Then the followers understood that Jesus meant that John the Baptizer was really Elijah.Matthew 17:1-13
Related Scripture Readings
— Matt. 16:21
— Matt. 17:22-23
— Matt. 21:17-19
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
