Jesus is not just a man. He is not just a good person. He is not just a healer or a good teacher. Indeed it is almost as if you’ve missed the heart of His message and the meaning behind the miracles if that is the conclusion you reach.
Chapter 17 of the gospel according to Matthew is continues the Who Am I series He began to expand on in chapter 16 where Jesus makes clear His identity in some clear unambiguous ways.
It is six days since He’s outlined what the real cost of discipleship is and the horrific and painful ordeal that He Himself will have to undergo though He will return to ‘repay each person according to what he has done.’
The Transfiguration story that kicks off Matthew 17 is one that always baffles, amazes and intrigues me.
It baffles me to understand the magnitude of what’s happening. The role of the disciples is a bit like the role of an assistant to a great detective. They represent the reader or viewer and our possible response to developments in the narrative. Imagine beholding a guy you are talking to suddenly taking on a glowing enlightened look. Not only that but from nowhere appears two of the most significant stalwarts in the history of the people of Israel representing the Law and the Prophets that Jesus says He has come to fulfil.
No wonder Peter for want of nothing better to do with his mouth starts a gabbling about monuments, something to mark this special occasion. Peter often gets a bad press for some of his bumblings, but this kind of insight into the character of one of the close disciples of Christ gives hope for those who think you have to have it altogether to follow Jesus. In Peter’s ramblings, though and the response that comes in the encircling cloud, we are given another reminder of who Peter is linked with and what the point of pursuing Him should be about.
Rather than get hung up with our own agenda and endeavour to put our own marks on the mystery and glory of who Jesus is and He wants, we would be doing ourselves a great favour by heeding the voice from the cloud.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. (Matthew 17:5)
We are listening to the beloved Son of God when we choose to hear what Jesus is saying to us. He is loved and the Father takes pleasure in Him, if this is the case, then what more can we do other than to pay Him the respect of actually listening to what He says and taking that on board.
Later on in this same chapter we come across another incident which reveals the nature of who Jesus is and also an indication of who we are in the light of who He is. At the end of chapter 17 from verses 24-27 the issue of the Temple Tax brings about a response from Jesus that on the one hand promotes the ‘render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s argument’ respecting the rule of the land at the time, even if it is a supernatural provision that will allow them to do this.
There is great liberty in the question and answer Jesus offers to Peter – which we miss if we just read this as Jesus dealing with the tax-man and telling us to do right by the tax people.
The sons are free – they pay no taxes because the kings don’t demand it from them. Those who become children of the Most High thus become free and live exercising their freedom. The tax does not apply to them, they inherit what is in store for the head son. That is to say that the status of Jesus is not just a son, but indeed of heavenly royalty where His rule will allow His sons to take their place alongside Him and no look for prestige, fame or power, but rather bathe and accept the love that is being extended to them.
We are free – our relationship with God is not based on making payments as if we can pay Him back, as though He expects us to pay Him back. The response He desires is the one of sons – grow to become like the King and rule in his wisdom, generosity and love.
That only happens when we listen to the Son. When we listen to what He says and acknowledge Him for who He is. This does not come from great intellect or reasoning, but rather the outstanding presence of God Himself who thus gives us what we need to move on. We listen to Jesus as Son of God, as Messiah, as royalty and living in the light of that brings up interesting perspectives that make us the envy of some and the hope for others.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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