Matthew - Week 55

Demon Rebuked 

READ 

Matthew 17:17-19 

17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. 19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” 

This was Jesus’ answer after the man with the suffering son said he brought him to the disciples but they could not heal him. Jesus asked for the boy to be brought to Him and he was healed immediately. Now the disciples asked privately why they could not heal the boy. They must have been able to heal many others. Why not this boy? 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes wondered why God has not done the same for you in a new situation that He had done before? Were you trusting God or in a particular method? 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read Hebrews 10:21-23 to see the importance of trusting in God and accepting Him to do whatever is best in your situation. By fully trusting in God your request may not be answered the way you think it should be. 

Not Enough Faith 

READ 

Matthew 17:20 

20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” 

This is Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question about why they could not cast out the demon in the boy. His statement must have meant the disciples did not really believe God would do it. God has promised to do what is according to His will, but they didn’t believe God in this situation.  

REFLECT 

Have you studied the Bible to see what matters are God’s will? 

RESPOND 

Join with another believer in reading the following passages:  1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 5:14-22 and 2 Peter 3:9. These passages reveal what God’s will is. Believers should pray for that which is according to God’s will. This is intended when one concludes a prayer with “In Jesus’ name.” 

Filled with Grief 

READ 

Matthew 17:22-23 

22 After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. 23 He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief. 

(You may have noticed that we skipped over Matthew 17:21. This verse is not found in the earlier manuscripts so most modern translations omit it.) Jesus told the disciples again about His coming death and assured them He would be raised from the dead. The first of His words gripped their hearts, but they seemed to overlook the last statement that He would be raised from the dead. Understandably, their hearts were filled with grief.  

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes responded wrongly to a message because you didn’t catch the full message and meaning? The disciples had reason to grieve, but they also had reason to rejoice.  

RESPOND 

Nehemiah 8:8-12 is an example of the Israelites who at first wept over what was read to them from the Scriptures. The people had recently returned from captivity in a Gentile nation and needed to have interpreters give them the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures, which at first they misunderstood. Nehemiah 8:8 is considered a key verse for expository preaching. That is, speaking that exposes what the Scriptures say and gives their accurate interpretation.  

The Temple Tax 

READ 

Matthew 17:24-25 

24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?” 25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?” 

The temple was supported by tax from the Jewish people. As usual, tax collectors were out to get all they could so they asked Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter answered “Yes.” In the house, however, Jesus asked him the question about who pays tax; one’s own people or strangers? At that time kings taxed others but they did not tax their own family. This made the point that the temple was the house of God that Jesus as King should not have to pay taxes and neither should His followers.  

REFLECT 

Think about finding a source that would help you learn about the customs of people during the time Jesus was on earth. Such a source would give you even more understanding of the Scriptures. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about being on the alert to find information to help you understand the customs Jesus faced while on earth. Computer research may help as well as hearing of others who specialize in Bible times and customs.  

Fishing for Silver 

READ 

Matthew 17:26-27 

26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! 27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” 

Although Jesus made the point that He and His followers should not have to pay the temple tax, He instructed Peter to do it anyway. Jesus even gave specific instructions about where Peter would find the money. (There is no record in Scripture that Jesus carried any money with Him.) Jesus instructed Peter to take the money he found and pay the temple tax for both of them.  

REFLECT 

Even though Philippians 2:6-7 indicates Jesus emptied Himself of the divine privileges He had with the Father in eternity, He occasionally used His knowledge while on earth.  

RESPOND 

This passage demonstrates the omniscience of Jesus—He had all knowledge but seldom used it in His human state. Jesus knew which fish in the sea would have the exact amount of money in its mouth and that it would be the first fish Peter caught.