Matthew 17 - Introduction

The Way Of The Cross

Matthew Seventeen

Jesus again showed that the way of salvation is the way of the cross. "Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry." (Matthew 17:22-23)

Matthew seventeen provides us with at least four looks at Jesus. We see (1) Jesus in His glory -- transfigured. (Matthew 17:1-13), (2) Jesus in His power -- healing. (Matthew 17:14-21), (3) Jesus in His death and resurrection sacrificing. (Matthew 17:22-23), and (4) Jesus in His humility and might -- paying tax. (Matthew 17:24-27) Nothing helps our life more than to see Jesus from all these dimensions.

We observe that the glorious sight of the transfiguration of Christ overcame the apostles. (Matthew 17:1-13) Jesus presented the case of the afflicted child to God and he was healed. Jesus cast out a dumb and deaf spirit. (Matthew 17:14-21) He again foretold His sufferings, death and resurrection. He endured the cross in order to bring about our redemption. (Matthew 17:22-23) The Divine power and the earthly poverty of Christ were mentioned together. He did not even have money for Temple tax; Yet, He worked a miracle in order to have the tribute money. (Matthew 17:24-27)