What Jesus Did! 'The Key to Telling' — Matthew 17:9

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Jesus and the followers were walking down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you can tell people about what you saw."
— Matthew 17:9 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 17:9 NLT — "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you can tell people about what you saw."

Key Thought

Once again, Jesus cautions his disciples about what they have seen. They are not to speak about it until they have the key to telling this incredible truth!
How can they explain what they have seen? Why they don't even understand it yet themselves. Like so many things Jesus said and did in his ministry, this one does not make sense until they have the key to telling it.
What is that key? Why it's the resurrection of course. The resurrection validates the crucified Messiah they had such a hard time accepting. The resurrection validates God become human flesh and being subject to death. It's the key that makes everything else possible. So what about you? Do you have the key to telling?

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I praise you for your power in raising Jesus from death and making his death and resurrection the saving events in my own life. Through your Spirit, dear Lord, please help me to keep surrendering to death all that is not good in me and raise up with power those things that are holy and good. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matt. 16:21
  • Matt. 17:22-23
  • Matt. 21:17-19

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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