When Jesus came down from the mountain, he was met by a father with a demon-possessed child, whom the disciples could not heal. Jesus rebuked the unbelief of their generation and healed the boy. Jesus told the disciples that it is not the size of the task but their lack of faith that hinders. When we understand the sovereignty and righteousness of God and put our trust in his leading, nothing is impossible (20).
When Jesus told the disciples again about his death, suffering, and resurrection, their hearts were filled with grief (23), not understanding the power of God for salvation to save everyone (Romans 1:16), and the spiritual victory with the fulfillment of God’s salvation plan.
In Capernaum, Peter was questioned whether Jesus would pay the temple tax. Jesus was not obligated to pay tax at his Father’s house (26, Luke 2:49). However, he instructed Peter to catch a fish from the lake, find a coin from its mouth, and pay tax for him and Peter (27). As Jesus willingly sacrificed himself to carry our burden of sin and death, he chose not to exercise his right but pay taxes to the collectors at his Father’s house.
Jul 19, 2026
FAITH THAT MOVES A MOUNTAIN
Passage: Matthew 17:14-27
Key verse: 20
NIV
chapter 17
14. When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
15. "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
16. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
17. "You 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."
18. Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn’t we drive it out?"
20. He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, 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."
21.
22. When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.
23. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.
24. After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?"
25. "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own children or from others?"
26. "From others," Peter answered. "Then the children are exempt," Jesus said to him.
27. "But so that we may not cause offense, 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."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, you are sovereign and almighty. I put my trust in you. Please use me as your instrument in fulfilling your will, even if it is as hard as moving a mountain.
One Word: Have faith