Only Jesus had perfect faith – but he gives a very useful lesson to his disciples in today’s ch. 17 in Matthew. He had come down from the mountain on which he had been with his 3 chosen disciples – in the meantime the other disciples had been unable to heal an epileptic boy an anxious father had brought to them.

They had reason to expect they would be able to perform a healing as they had earlier performed healings when Jesus sent the 12 out to “Proclaim the kingdom …Heal the sick …” [10 v.7,8] among “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” They had the faith then to do it, but they had been specially commissioned by Jesus to do so. This time Jesus calls them, “Faithless … how long am I to be with you?” [v.17] and heals the boy “instantly” [v.18] They ask Jesus why were they unable to heal, he says, “Because of your little faith” [v.20] Then he makes a remarkable statement. “ … if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed you will say …”

Now a mustard seed grows because it has been divinely programmed to grow into a mustard bush, that books tell us grew as high as a horse’s head, as long as it is “fed and watered” (as the hymn goes) sometimes needing the help of humans. So it is “faith” in what has been divinely programmed.

Now note what Jesus adds! “you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’ Jesus is making a particular point. Sometimes Bible readers talk of faith to move mountains, but Jesus does not say, faith to move any mountain, he says, “faith to move this mountain”, and there is a particular mountain in Israel that God is going to move! It is programmed to happen – like the mustard seed.

Do we really believe the prophets with all our heart? It is prophesied “on that day” when “his feet shall stand on the mount of Olives … so that one half of the mountain shall move northward and the other half shall move southward” [Zech 14 v.4] – this mountain will move!

Recall the words of the “two men in white robes” (angels) to the astonished disciples who watched Jesus ascend from the Mount of Olives , “This Jesus .. will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [Acts 1 v.11]

That time will be utterly awesome, just like the experience of those chosen disciples on the mount that we read today. When Jesus was transfigured, “they fell on their faces and were terrified” [v.7] In the future those with true faith will hear Jesus saying something like he said to those 3 disciples, “Rise and have no fear.”

What is our “faith like?” ` What wonders awaits those with a genuine faith that Jesus will reward – for “Nothing will be impossible” in God’s kingdom.

In Matthew chapter 17 we focus on an event known as the Transfiguration. It occurs in each of the synoptic gospels - Matthew 17; Mark 9 verses 2-8, Luke 9 verses 8-36. It was a revelation of Jesus in transcendent glory. Its significance belongs to the Kingdom age. Our Lord Jesus Christ is resplendent in glorious white glistening robes. Mark tells us that this glory and righteousness surpassed that attainable by any person - this is telling us that the glorious and righteous character of our Lord was unique and sustained by God's workings. Our Lord Jesus was seen together with Moses (representative of the Law) and Elijah (for the prophets). But their glory was inconsequential when compared to that of our Lord Jesus Christ's. In addition to all of this was the commanding and imperious voice of Jesus' Almighty Father announcing to those Apostles, and to all, including us: "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him". After coming down from the Mount Jesus told his disciples that their failure to cure the epileptic boy was because their faith needed to grow and develop like a grain of mustard seed. After this Christ again told his Apostles of the great trials which lay ahead of Jesus. These sufferings would culminate in his offering on the tree and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Let us consider let us look at Peter's timeless commentary on the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 1 verses 13-20. Pause, and ponder and reflect.

A @Christadelphians Video: *[Watchman Report #7: The Disturbing Rise of Anti-Semitism – Glastonbury Chants 'Death to Jews']* In this thought-provoking Bible Talk, we examine the alarming resurgence of anti-Semitism, highlighted by the shocking "Death to Jews" chants at Glastonbury. Through an expositional study of Scripture, we uncover the spiritual and prophetic significance behind this hatred and its connection to biblical prophecy. A revealing discussion for those seeking discernment in these tumultuous times. 🔔 *Subscribe* for more biblical insights on current events. *Chapters / Timestamps:* 00:00 - Introduction: The Glastonbury Incident & Rising Anti-Semitism 01:45 - Historical Roots of Anti-Semitism in Scripture 03:12 - Prophetic Warnings About Persecution of the Jewish People 03:12 - Modern Manifestations & Spiritual Implications 04:04 - How Should Christians Respond? 04:08 - Pray for Israel04:23 - Reject false narratives04:52 - Conclusion - consideration *📖 Bible Verses Referenced:* ✡️ *Genesis 12:3* – God’s promise to bless those who bless Israel. 🔥 *Psalm 122:6* – A call to pray for Jerusalem. ⚔️ *Zechariah 2:8* – God’s protection over His chosen people. 🕊️ *Romans 11:25-26* – The mystery of Israel’s salvation. *Tags:* Watchman Report, Anti-Semitism, Bible Prophecy, Glastonbury, Jewish Persecution, End Times, Christian Teaching, Current Events, Biblical Truth