The Reporter     Volume 47 # 18,  --  May 4, 2007

  

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)

 

   Jesus in His glory, transfigured – Matthew 17:1-13: It was probably on Mount Hermon that the transfiguration took place. Jesus had gone up on this mountain to pray. Luke describes it this way, "Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening." (Luke 9:28-29)

 

   Observe that Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John. Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. He was "Transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." (Matthew 17:2) Peter wanted to do something. He suggested that they would build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (Matthew 17:4) Instead, God wanted the disciples to listen to Jesus. (Matthew 17:5) Even the glory of the transfiguration was not without thought of the suffering and death that awaited the Redeemer. (Matthew 17:12)

 

   The word "transfigure" means to transform the appearance of someone or something. In the case of Jesus the purpose of the transfiguration was designed to reveal His spiritual magnificence. Observe the components involved in the Transfiguration. (1) First, there were the glorious lights that came forth from Jesus. "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." (2) Second, There was appearance of Moses and Elias (Elijah). Luke 9:30 says, "And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias." (3) Third, there was the discussion that took place. Moses and Elias "appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:31) The discussion centered in redemption by the sacrifice of Jesus. (4) Fourth, Moses represented The Law, and Elias represented The Prophets. Both now surrender to the authority of Jesus. It was to Him that they had pointed men. (5) The final element of the transfiguration was a voice from heaven. "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:5) The Messiah has come and now man is obligated to listen to and to obey Him.

 

   Jesus in His power, healing – Matthew 17:14-21: Following that heavenly transformation there is an earthly problem for Jesus to deal with. An epileptic, demon possessed boy had been brought to Jesus' disciples that had been left behind but they were unable to help. The man pleaded, "Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water." (Matthew 17:15)

 

   Jesus said "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." (Matthew 17:17) This account demonstrates both a Fathers' faith (Matthew 17:15) and the Saviors power. "And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour." (Matthew 17:18) Through faith in Jesus and obedience to His will Christians are able to make it through every difficulty in life.

 

   Jesus in His death, resurrection, and sacrifice – Matthew 17:22-23: Jesus tried for a second time to cause the disciples to understand that He must suffer and die. The important detail added here is that he would be "betrayed" or "delivered up."  The disciples were exceeding sorry, as they understood that Jesus death was imminent. They did not fully understand the work of redemption until later when they could looked back on the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord.

 

   The work of redemption demanded Jesus' death for our sins. Nothing less than killing the Son of God would satisfy that angry mob, "Pilate said to them, What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said to him, Let Him be crucified!" (Matthew 27:22.) Without the blood of the Son of God there could be no redemption. Thank God that the light of Jesus’ resurrection diminished the gloom of Calvary.

 

   Jesus in His humility, paying tax – Matthew 17:24-27: It was costly to operate the temple. The ransom tax was used for that purpose. (Exodus 30:11-16) The tax authorities questioned Peter about whether Jesus was going to pay His tax. If Jesus had simply paid the tax he would have been looked upon as just another Jewish Rabbi or teacher. He was a great teacher but He wanted it to be understood that He was the Messiah. If He failed to pay the tax the Jews would have something unlawful of which to accuse Him.

 

   Jesus claimed to be God's Son. They wondered whether He would pay tax to God, His Father. First Jesus again proved to Peter that he was the Messiah. He told Peter what he was thinking without Peter expressing anything. Jesus said to Peter that the tax must be paid so attention would not be focused on some small detail instead of the fact that He is the Messiah. The tax money was taken from the mouth of a fish. The Lord somehow put a coin in the mouth of the fish and then directed the fish to Peter's hook. The miracle of Matthew seventeen proves again that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. (John 20:30-31)

 

The Bible gives us many looks at Jesus but non more vivid than the transfigured Savior healing a boy no one else could help, taking about His death and resurrection and being humble enough to pay the temple tax, but powerful enough to do so with a great miracle. Truly "this man is the Son of God". Do you love Him and are you keeping His commandments? Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)         

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Baptist South Hospital: Ralph Sims (grandfather of Romona Newton), St Vincent’s Hospital, Birmingham: Barbara Parker (sister of Lisa Garlock). In Need Of Prayers: Jody Barr, Linda Bender, Emily Cain, Marie Curlee, Nelson Daughtry, Buddy Davis, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Latrelle Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Billy Heartsill, James Hill, Linda Holley (mother of Romona Newton), Darrell Jones, Wanda Kyser, Mary Lawrence, Steve McCreary, Steve Osborne, Mary Powell, John Reynolds, Shirley Schofield, Ottey Simno, Roger Strange, Doris Taylor, Barry Woods, and Melissa Woodruff. Crowne Health Care: Linda Conway, Kathy Johnson, Mildred Johnson (mother of Walter Johnson), Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, and Jean Hayes.

 

2. Baptized Into Christ:  We welcome Marc Ginsberg into the body of Christ. His address is 285 Chalet Drive, Greenville, Alabama 36037. His birthday is September 16^th. Phone 371-0608. Please welcome Marc to the Walnut Street Church of Christ.

 

3. Requesting Our Prayers: Stacey Harrell responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember him in your personal, private prayers.

 

4. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to (a) Agnes Hammonds, Dennis Lowery and their family in the death of their sister, Ileane Fussell. (b) Donald & Ruth Davis and their family in the death of their brother, Johnnie Morris Davis,

 

5. Wedding Invitation: Mr. and Mrs. David Dunn request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Dusty Rain to Christopher Michael Bagents on Friday, the eighteenth of May Two thousand and seven at six o’clock in the evening Walnut Street Church of Christ 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama.

 

6. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Jason Godwin, Michael Howell, Kimberly Williams, Taylor Bodie, and Lynn Kervin. Pray for them often!

 

7. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: May 6^th Nelson Daughtry and Christa Stallings, May 8^th Evelyn Lewis, May 11^th Bill Hammonds, Walter Johnson and Kadee McGough, and May 12^th Ann Smith.

 

8. Crowne Health Care: (a) Each year our people volunteer to help Crowne Health Care with their Yard & Bake Sale. Our goal is to have 25 cakes or pies and lots of yard sale items. These will be brought to the building by 12 noon on May 17^th. (b) Our Thursday class at Crowne will be on May 24^th. Please put this change on your calendar.

 

9. Guyana Trip: Darrell and Jamie Powell, Marcus Harrell, Tyler Ray, Meaghan Till, and Morgan Till will be in Guyana June 2^nd-11^th. Prayers and financial support would be greatly appreciated. (Each person must raise a mini-mum of $1,610.00 for this trip.)

 

10. Backwoods Christian Camp: (a) Our week at Backwoods will be July 8-13. Camp fees will again be paid from the Carl Sessions Camp Fund for all Walnut Street youths that participate. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. Get them filled out and back to Darrell right away! You can also print a copy of the form from our website at: http://walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org/backwoods/backwoods_christian_camp_2007.htm. (b) The Backwoods Christian Camp walk-a-thon will be May 12^th (after the prayer breakfast at the Lowery’s). Pease sponsor our youth who will be walking.

 

11. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) May 20^th – 23^rd – College Street Church of Christ – Gospel Meeting – Speaker (see bulletin board) – Time Sunday 3:00 p.m. and weeknights 7:30 p.m. (b) June 15^th – 16^th – Backwoods Christian Camp – June Bug 2007 – Science and the Bible – K4 – 4^th grade – Cost $30 – Time begins at 5:00 p.m. Friday ends at 3:00 p.m. Saturday (c) September 24^th – 26^th – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery.

 

How Much Is Your Soul Worth?

 

   Could you put a price on your spouse? What about your children, or your parents? Would there be any amount of anything that would compare to the value of the lives of those you love? Of course not! There is one thing, though, that should be worth even more to you than these precious people. How much is your soul worth to you?  Several things make our souls valuable.

 

   A soul’s source makes it valuable. People often take pride in announcing the maker of articles of clothing, automobiles, and other possessions (and considering the cost, the makers must be proud as well). But how proud we should be that we have been made by the almighty God! Our souls are God-given (Ecc 12:7), and we are God’s offspring (Acts 17:28).

 

   Our souls are valuable because of the high price that God the Father and Christ the Son paid for them. Jesus “ransomed” us, not with perishable things like silver and gold, but with His “precious blood” (I Peter 1:18-19). No greater price has ever been paid than that which has been offered for our sinful souls.

 

   Now, the question is, what will you give for your soul? In saving our souls from eternal death, it is necessary for us to deny ourselves the sinful pleasures of the world, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). It has already been established that there is nothing in this world that is more valuable than our souls. Truly, we have won nothing if we gain the entire world, but lose our precious souls (Matthew 24:26).

 

   God wants to save your soul and commune with you forever in heaven. But you must obey, for only “he who does the will of My father” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). Won’t you repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ’s wonderful name (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ today (Galatians 3:26-27)? Don’t wait. Be added to the Lord’s church today (Acts 2:41,47).

 

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)