Stubborn. (Part 13 of 19 in "It's All About Jesus. - Matthew's Gospel")

As Jesus and 3 of His closest followers came down from the mountain of Transfiguration, they found a stubborn group of men attempting to do what Jesus does, but in their own power.  Of course they couldn't do divine works with human strength and wisdom.  This reminds me of Psalm 127:1, where the Psalmist writes: "Unless the LORD builds the house, they who labor do so in vain."

When frustrated at their failure to accomplish the works of God on their own, the disciples turn to Jesus for answers.  He tells them that the quality of their faith is poor; and that's because their faith in not in Him.  Check out Matthew 17:14-20.

Unmask. (Part 12 of 18 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

Three of Jesus' disciples, Peter, James, and John discovered that miraculous moments with the Master may be just on the other side of a long, steep, mountain climb.

On the "Mount of Transfiguration" Jesus reveals His true nature and form to His disciples.  “Transfigured” is where we get our word “metamorphosis” – Trans=to change and Figure=form.  It’s what a caterpillar does when he becomes a butterfly…it is the same life, but in a radically different form.  It’s what I do in the morning, once I’ve had my 1^st cup of coffee.

Right in front of their eyes, Jesus changes form, and they never forgot it!

Storm. (Part 10 of 18 in "It's All About Jesus. -Matthew's Gospel")

This week, we come to a critical event in the life of Jesus and His disciples.  While pretty much everyone on my block has heard that Jesus walked on water, in the context of our series, I want to focus on what I think is the deepest meaning of Matthew 14:22-33, and the central reason Matthew included it in his gospel.  This is really a turning point for His followers and it can be for us too.  Within the midst of a horrible storm, Jesus proves more than His ability over the elements...He reveals His identity over the world and His presence in our lives.




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Okay, and I couldn't stop myself from adding this next video for this post...when I was a kid, I learned this song at church camp (hand motions and all).  Here's to cheesy but true Christian songs and nostalgia: