The People We Know — and the People We Are
Good morning. Today we’re reading Matthew chapters 17–19, and I want to begin by talking about some people we all know.

They go to church with us. Their faith seems strong. They serve with good hearts. We admire them. We want to emulate them. They deserve our respect. But we only see them at church — some only on Sunday mornings. We know they have flaws. We all do.

I’ve always been a fan of the Peanuts comic strip. The other day, I shared one on social media featuring Pigpen. Lucy, I believe, was telling him he was a mess when he walks, a mess when he plays, a mess when they go places. Pigpen replies, “At least I’m consistent.” (1)

That line stuck with me.
Why These Three?
In Matthew 17:1, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain. First, what an honor to be there. Second, why those three?

It’s because Jesus knows our true nature. He knows our hearts.

Just one chapter earlier, Peter rebuked Jesus for saying He would suffer and die. Jesus responded, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). Peter’s misunderstanding became a stumbling block to salvation.

Then in Matthew 18:1, James and John ask about rank in the Kingdom of Heaven. Their focus should be on others, not their own gain.

Jesus chose Peter, James, and John not because they were the most humble — but because they were the most in need of transformation.
Inconsistency and Influence
We may serve at church, but if the other five or six days a week we live like the world — lacking consistency — those who see us won’t follow. Or worse, they’ll follow with the same lukewarm faith we model.

Peter wanted to build a monument to the moment (Matthew 17:4), but God interrupts: “This is my Son… listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5). Jesus is our monument. What more do we need?

Instead of listening, we let our work — the things we do with our hands — speak for us. But are we showing them Jesus? Are we doing all things for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23), or are we hoping for recognition?

If they follow where our feet go, will they see Jesus? Or do we go places we know He doesn’t want us to be?

If they saw what we look at on our computers, or what we watch on our TVs — would that lead them to Christ?
Lip Service and Powerlessness
In Matthew 17:14–20, the disciples cannot heal a boy. Jesus says, “You unbelieving and perverse generation… bring the boy here to me” (vv. 17–18). He heals him, then tells them, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you” (v. 20).
Mercy in the Closest Places
This brings us to one of the hardest truths in Matthew 19:3–9. Jesus speaks against divorce — not to shame the brokenhearted, but to confront the unforgiving. Often, it’s the people we’ve had deep relationships with — our spouses — that we struggle most to forgive.

Divorce is often the final refusal to move the mountain of bitterness. It’s giving up on someone instead of calling on Jesus for more faith. Jesus says, “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6).

We lament we couldn’t help someone change — but how many times did we try? Seven? Jesus says, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). We didn’t try hard enough. Again, we were inconsistent.

We must be equally yoked (Matthew 19:10), and we must forgive — again and again.
The Mountain That Needs to Move
When we struggle to forgive, we are the mountain that needs to be moved. Call on Jesus for more faith. If we are ineffective for Christ, it’s because we are still clinging to self-righteousness.

In Matthew 18:33–35, Jesus warns that if we cannot show mercy, we will not receive mercy. That includes the people we don’t want to see saved — the murderer, the molester, the terrorist. God rejoices over every lost sheep (Luke 15:7). We must not withhold grace.
The Examined Life
Examine your life; look for areas of inconsistency. Are you a busy but ineffective Christian? Ask God to show you those areas where you are only giving Him lip service and ask Him to heal those rough spots. Be childlike and ask Him, God – why do I do these things I do? Don’t be like the rich man who can’t give up the world.

How do I know these are people you know? Because I have been describing myself. That is why I was envious of Peter, James and John. We all are works in progress. Don’t be like the rich young ruler, letting self-righteousness get in your way of change. (Matthew 19:16-22)
Tomorrow, we will read Matthew 20-21.
Footnote

Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts, original comic strip featuring Pigpen and Lucy, syndicated by United Feature Syndicate. See also: “Pigpen’s Consistency,” Peanuts, https://www.peanuts.com/characters/pigpen.