Title: Transfigured before them / Matthew 17
The purpose of the Gospels was to show and describe who Jesus was. Chapter 16 describes Jesus as “the Christ,” “the Son of the living God,” who “will suffer many things, and be put to death, and rise on the third day.” Chapter 17 describes who Jesus is on a cosmic level.
1 “transformed before them” (1-19)
2 “Because of your little faith” (15-20)
The ultimate purpose of writing the Gospels was not only to make people know who Jesus is, but also to make them believe (John 20:31). It was to make us believe that Jesus is the Redeemer (Matthew 9:6) and Creator (Matthew 8:27) who has the authority to forgive all sins and heal all diseases. However, the world did not want to believe in Jesus, and the disciples did not believe in Jesus right away. So Jesus rebuked that generation and the disciples for their lack of faith. “O faithless and rebellious generation.” “Because of your little faith.” “If faith were as small as a mustard seed… It will move.” Faith is not like the 'magic wand' that brings prosperity and wealth, but it exerts the power to overcome sin, death, and the powers of Satan.
3 “The Son of Man shall be slain and rise” (21-27)
Jesus turned the hearts and eyes of his disciples back to the Lord of the Cross and the Lord of Resurrection. Because Jesus is the cross and resurrection in a word (Romans 1:3,4, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4). But as the disciples looked at the crucifixion again, they were filled with anxiety. We always hate the cross. Jesus also mentioned here the political, economic and social order of the world, teaching that it is right to follow this world order, not to ignore it. Christians should not be misunderstood by the people of this world, nor should they neglect edification. We should not engage in sin and injustice, but it is desirable and right to live according to the worldly order.