There are several instances in Matthew that give clues as to Jesus' identity--his geneology from chapter 1 and the account of his baptism in chapter 3 are two we've already seen. The account of Jesus' Transfiguration is another such moment of revelation. It is a moment for Peter, James, and John to get a glimpse of Jesus in all his kingly glory--which is shown as the radiance of God. "Why only these three?" is a question that strikes me whenever I read this passage. Gospel accounts make it clear that Peter, James, and John comprised Jesus' "inner circle", although we don't really know why. Maybe it was because these were three of the very first disciples, maybe it was because they were the most outspoken; nobody really knows. Even though these three comprised the "inner circle", it didn't mean they were more special than the other disciples. After the Transfiguratin account, we see that all the disciples still struggled with issues of faith, even after having been with Jesus for as long as they had. I find it comforting to know that even Jesus' first followers didn't always "get it" when it came to Jesus and his message. It is a reminder to me that I don't know it all, that there is still more to learn and faith to increase in me.
If chapter 17 is all about revealing Jesus' kingship, chapter 18 is all about serving this king. Jesus makes it clear that serving him is directly tied to how we treat and relate to one another. What Jesus is most concerned about, it seems, is that the actions of his followers don't do anything to cause his non-followers to sin or to reject Jesus' message. What a message to the Church! I often wonder how many have rejected Jesus and his message because of the words or actions of those in the Church. Here Jesus' message to his followers seems quite straightforward--practice humility, resist temptation, deal fairly with one another, forgive one another. How different would this world be if all those who professed to follow Christ heeded these instructions of Jesus? In the days ahead of us, how can we put this instructions into practice in our own life?
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