Verses 1-8
-
Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah because they needed to hear about what Christ was doing and who He was (Luke 9:31).
-
However, the disciples lost focus on Christ and wanted to capture the moment with Moses and Elijah.
-
-
God spoke to correct the disciples, and to remind them that the best way to honor God would be to listen to the Son of God.
-
The best way to worship and honor God is not to commemorate spiritual or emotional moments. It is to listen to the Word and obey it. Remember this, and act accordingly!
-
Verse 9
-
Not all knowledge is meant to be shared. There is a proper timing to share information.
-
Be wise and discreet and what you say to people. Knowledge shared too soon can cause many problems.
-
Verses 10-13
-
John the Baptist came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). This is why the prophetic reference to Elijah was really about John the Baptist.
-
Also notice that the Jews wanted Elijah to show, but even when he did, they rejected him and did not believe.
-
Understand that people who say that they will not believe, unless conditions are met, will not believe even if those conditions are met. This is because of a hardened heart.
-
Do not feel compelled to prove things to people who demand proof. They will never be satisfied. Simply move on, or avoid talking about God until their heart softens more.
-
-
Verses 14-18
-
Jesus expected His disciples to be able to do the works that He did. It is a failure and weakness for us to not be able to deal with demons, for example.
-
Take responsibility for weakness in your life, and understand that a goal of ours should be to be able to do things that Jesus did!
-
Verses 19-21
-
Understand that unbelief is what hinders us from doing what Jesus did.
-
If we have sufficient faith, nothing is impossible! Jesus said that we must have faith! It's on us!
-
To truly be in faith, we cannot have any doubt (Matthew 20:21, Mark 11:23). A small dose of faith (as a mustard seed), but with zero doubt is what's powerful.
-
Jesus' point is that we do not even have mustard seed faith. If we did, we would do Jesus' works.
-
-
It's not God's fault that we are weak and incapable of doing Jesus' works. Take responsibility for the growth of your own faith.
-
-
Verse 21. Certain works, including casting out certain demons, requires prayer and fasting.
-
Pray and fast if you want to experience greater power in the Spirit. Prayer and fasting is the way of power in the Spirit!
-
Also, to everyone participating, fasting brings in self-control, patience, beating of the flesh, clear mind, and strict thoughts.
-
-
Verses 22-23
-
Some things from God bring sorrow for a time.
-
Simply understand that there is a good purpose for everything that God says.
-
Even if you don't understand now, answers will come, as they did for the disciples after Jesus rose again from the dead.
-
-
Verses 24-27
-
Jesus was the God of the temple, so He was, in reality, not obligated to pay anything to the temple.
-
But, simply to avoid offense, He paid the tax anyway. He gave up a right to maintain a good standing with others.
-
-
Submitting to laws, to prevent conflict and avoid offense, is always better than demanding a right to the point of strife.
-
Submit yourself to the customs of the world around you. Failing to do so will cause strife and offense that make you disrespected.
-