Day 22: Matthew 17 | 2026 Lenten Reading Plan

Thank you for joining us for the twenty first reading in our Lenten Reading Plan. Find all the resources you need below: Read Matthew 17 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2017&version=ESV Listen to Matthew 17: https://share.transistor.fm/s/dcd09dc5 Download your own Lenten Reading Plan Bookmark: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Bookmark-2601-PRINT-at-home.pdf Download the 2026 Lenten Reading Plan Study Guide: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Study-Guide-2511.pdf In Matthew 17, we get the Transfiguration. Jesus finally appears as God with his face shining like the sun, standing between Moses and Elijah. When everyone becomes terrified, Jesus touches them, and they see only Jesus, the same Jesus, not different. The key word is "appear." His face appeared to glow. Moses and Elijah appeared. Like object permanence, knowing something exists even when you can't see it, this reveals what was always true. Jesus was always God. Heaven was always wherever Jesus is. The Transfiguration shows heaven crashing into earth in Jesus. Wherever He is, the kingdom of God is at hand, so close you can grab it. Going down the mountain, Jesus tells them not to discuss this flashy miracle but mentions Elijah already came as John the Baptist, whom most people missed. Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy while teaching about mustard-seed faith moving mountains. This has been weaponized against Christians: if we can't move mountains with tiny faith, how can we save ourselves? But maybe faith recognizes the mountain is exactly where God placed it. Faith isn't moving mountains; it's fearing, loving, and trusting God above all things. Jesus foretells His death and resurrection again, then ensures the temple tax is paid. Matthew 17 reveals that the one dying on the cross and rising from the grave isn't just true man but also true God, and He does it for you, to save you. Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #lent If you have questions or topics that you'd like discussed on Higher Things, email them to content@higherthings.org Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: http://youtube.com/@HTgospel4all To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://higherthings.org/morehi/giving/ For more information about Higher Things, go to http://higherthings.org ------ Join the conversation on Social Media: http://facebook.com/higherthings http://instagram.com/higherthings https://www.tiktok.com/@higherthings