Matthew 17

The Explanation

Jesus walked up a big high mountain. With him were Peter, James, John.

They climbed and climbed. Up, up, up.

Then something happened. Jesus began to shine. His face shone like the sun. His clothes turned white, so white, whiter than snow.

Peter, James and John looked. They rubbed their eyes.

Two men stood there too. Moses. And Elijah. Talking with Jesus.

Peter got so excited. He said, “Lord, it is good to be here! Let’s make three little tents!”

But then. A cloud came. A bright, bright cloud. And a voice spoke from the cloud.

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

The voice was loud. So loud. Peter, James and John fell down. Right down on their faces. They were very afraid.

What Does This Mean?

But Jesus came close. He touched them, gently.

“Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

They lifted their eyes. No more shining. No more Moses. No more Elijah.

Just Jesus. Only Jesus, standing there.

They walked back down the mountain together. Down, down, down.

The Common Thread

That voice from the cloud was God, the Father. He was showing everyone something important. Jesus is his own dear Son.

Later, Jesus and his friends met a boy who was very sick. His father cried, “Lord, have mercy on my son!”

Jesus healed the boy. Just like that. The boy was well again.

The disciples asked, “Why couldn’t we do that?”

Jesus said, “If you have faith, even faith as small as a tiny seed, nothing will be impossible.”

Jesus also told his friends something hard. “I will be handed over. I will die. But on the third day, I will rise again.”

The disciples felt so sad. So very sad.

Later, in Capernaum, men came asking for money for the temple. Jesus told Peter to go fishing. “Open the fish’s mouth,” he said. “You will find a coin there.”

Peter did. And there it was. A shiny coin, right inside the fish.

For You

Jesus shone bright on that mountain. He shines bright still.

You can listen to him too, just like the voice said. Listen to him, in the stories, in the quiet, when you pray.

When you are afraid, Jesus comes close. He touches you gently. He says, “Don’t be afraid.”

Talk About It

What do you think Jesus looked like, all shiny and bright?

When you feel afraid, what do you think Jesus wants to say to you?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus, you shine so bright. Thank you that you are God’s dear Son. When I am afraid, please come close. Help me listen to you. Amen.