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Matthew 17
At around this time Jesus began to speak of himself in the third person, as the Son of God, much like he were a politician or royalty. ----- About a week later, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to join him on a hike. At the top of a mountain they enjoyed some wine and perhaps a joint. Suddenly, Jesus was transfigured, his face shining like the sun, his clothes as white as light. The ghosts of Moses and Elijah joined Jesus, and the three angelic figures chatted for a while. Then the Heavens opened up and God greeted his beloved son. The three Disciples were freaked out. Plus, now they realized that John the Baptist had been a reincarnation of Elijah! Afterward, Jesus told them not to tell of what they had seen, not until after the Son of God has been raised from the dead. ----- Later, somebody in the crowd complained to Jesus that his son was mentally ill and that the Disciples had been unable to heal him. "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." Jesus healed the boy instantly. That evening, the Disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." The Disciples went off to practice moving mountains, but no mountains would move for them :-( ----- After Jesus and his Disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," Peter replied, but then he ran to consult with Jesus about whether to pay the tax. "What do you think, Peter?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then we sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend the tax collectors, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
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