Introduction
Matthew 17:14–27: When Jesus, Peter, James, and John descend from the mountain, Jesus heals a boy afflicted by a demon. Jesus speaks a second time about his impending death, and the reading concludes with Jesus’s teaching on payment of the Temple tax.
Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 17:18 GNT
Jesus gave a command to the demon, and it went out of the boy, and at that very moment he was healed.
Read
14 When they returned to the crowd, a man came to Jesus, knelt before him, 15 and said, “Sir, have mercy on my son! He is an epileptic and has such terrible attacks that he often falls in the fire or into water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 Jesus answered, “How unbelieving and wrong you people are! How long must I stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me!” 18 Jesus gave a command to the demon, and it went out of the boy, and at that very moment he was healed.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked him, “Why couldn’t we drive the demon out?”
20 “It was because you do not have enough faith,” answered Jesus. “I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, ‘Go from here to there!’ and it will go. You could do anything!” 21 [a]
22 When the disciples all came together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be handed over to those 23 who will kill him; but three days later he will be raised to life.”
The disciples became very sad.
24 When Jesus and his disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25 “Of course,” Peter answered.
When Peter went into the house, Jesus spoke up first, “Simon, what is your opinion? Who pays duties or taxes to the kings of this world? The citizens of the country or the foreigners?”
26 “The foreigners,” answered Peter.
“Well, then,” replied Jesus, “that means that the citizens don’t have to pay. 27 But we don’t want to offend these people. So go to the lake and drop in a line. Pull up the first fish you hook, and in its mouth you will find a coin worth enough for my Temple tax and yours. Take it and pay them our taxes.”
Reflect
In Jesus’s day, a demon-possessed child would have brought social ostracism and economic hardship to the family. How would you describe what the father was feeling? The disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to drive out the demon (verse 19). What are your thoughts about Jesus’s response and the role of faith (verses 20)? Recall what Jesus said to Peter about faith in Matthew 14:31 from the January 15 reading. When Jesus speaks a second time about his impending death, how did the disciples react (verse 23)? You may wish to compare Peter’s response when Jesus first spoke of his impending death (see Matthew 16:22 from the January 19 reading).
Pray
Lord Jesus, increase my faith each day as I grow in knowledge of you, trusting in your steadfast love and care. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Acts 3:1–10: Peter heals a lame beggar.
