Matthew 17 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Matthew 17:1,2

After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

What an awesome and beautiful special revelation of Christ they received that day! Oh, to be on the mount during the transfiguration would have been amazing and glorious, so why only these three? I don’t know, but I do know that Christ reveals Himself to us in different ways and at different times. I do know that just because He chose these three, that did not make them greater than the others, nor did it make the others inferior to them. It was not because He loved them more or loved the others less. God is love, and God is perfect, so God’s love is perfect and not frail and faulty as ours can be.

I say all this to encourage someone that just because your story about how Christ saved you or revealed Himself to you isn’t as glamorous as others doesn’t make it any less powerful, beautiful or important. Each of our stories of Christ is uniquely important and must be shared. Think about it like this: If it wasn’t important, then why would God go to the trouble to make each one special and unique? Why wouldn’t He just cookie-cutter it and call it a day? Because our God wants us to know that we are unique and special to Him; there is only one of me, and He wants that one!

He also makes it personal and unique that we may share with others who may be going through something similar. That they may see that God has moved in that way before and have faith that He will do it again, just not in the exact same way down to the minutest detail. Only three of the disciples got the privilege to go up on the mountain and see this revelation of Christ, but all of them were called to go and share Him with the world and were given the right to reign with Him and judge the tribes of Israel! Just because it’s not flashy doesn’t mean it’s not important or powerful. We all have different roads, but they lead to the same God!

Matthew 19:28,29- Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

God bless! I love you all, but His love saves the day! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

Matthew 17:14,15

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before Him. "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water."

Are we humbly interceding for those around us who are suffering or under attack? This man came to Jesus for his son's healing and deliverance. He didn't come for his own good but for the good of someone around him. He didn't care who was around or who might see but had one concern: the healing, safety, and deliverance of someone he loved. He kneels before the King in front of the crowd with no regard to how it might look but with determination and desperation in his heart. He knows that Christ is the only One who can save his boy, and he approaches Christ in a beautiful way, kneeling at His feet!

Can we say the same? Are we interceding for those who may not be aware of where to go or able to do it themselves? A loved one? A cherished co-worker? That guy down the block you can't stand? As disciples of Christ, we are called to not only do this for those we are the closest to but also for those we want to be the furthest from.

Many of us would be willing to bow before Jesus for those we love, but how about for those we try to avoid? What would happen if Christ avoided those who were annoying, aggravating, or lived contrary to His truths? I don't think Heaven would have as many people, and I for sure wouldn't be here talking with you about this today! Help us, Lord, to be found at your feet, both for our families and our foes!

Matthew 17:18- Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Matthew 5:43-45- "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

God bless! I love you all, but His love set this captive free! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

Matthew 17:14,15

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before Him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

Are we going to the feet of Jesus to find healing and freedom for those we love? This dad was desperate; his son was suffering, and he went boldly yet humbly to the feet of Jesus and found what no man could give him, deliverance for his son! He does not care that there is a crowd around; he is not worried about what they may say or think but is only concerned with the King in front of him and the son suffering behind him.

We, too, must be this bold for those we love; regardless of who is around or what they may think, we must make our way to Jesus and throw ourselves down at His feet for those we love. Are we doing this? I can honestly say that people have done this for me in my life, and now I’m living proof that prayer works and our God still saves! Those around us are suffering terribly, whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or all of the above. But we know the answer to every problem. His name is Jesus!

Will we go to His feet for those we love? How about those we aren’t that fond of? Will we pray for them as well? Because Christ commands us to do just that, and He Himself prayed for those who persecuted Him to the highest degree. If we want to shine Christ’s light into this world, we’re gonna have to step out of the shadows and let it shine! It’s easy to love those who love you but to love those who hate or reject you that is hard. That is difficult. That is being like Christ to those around you! So today, I encourage and challenge you to go to the feet of Jesus for one person you love dearly and one person that hurt you deeply. Let us not let our wounds determine our faith but let the Spirit of God heal both your wounds and their problem!

Matthew 5:44-47- “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

God bless! I love you all, but His great love is shown through His great prayers! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!