Matthew Chapter Seventeen Poem by Day Williams

1 And after six days Jesus took with him
Peter and James and John, James' brother, and
He led them by themselves up a high mountain,

2 Where he was transfigured before them, and
His face was shining like the sun; his clothes
Became as white as light,3 then Moses and

Elijah came to talk with Jesus.4 Peter
Told Jesus, "Lord, it's wonderful for us
To be here. If you like, I could put up

Three shelters-one for you and for Moses,
And for Elijah, one." 5 While he was still
Speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them,

Then came a voice out of the cloud that said,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I
Am well pleased. Hear him! " 6 When the followers

Heard this, they fell face downward to the ground,
Terrified.7 Jesus came and touched them. "Get
Up, " he said, "don't be afraid." 8 When they

Looked up, they saw no one but Jesus there
9 As they were going down the mountain, Jesus
Cautioned them, "Don't tell anyone what you

Have seen until the Son of Man has been
Raised from the dead." 10 The followers asked him,
"Why then do teachers of the law say that

Elijah must come first? " 11 And Jesus answered,
"Elijah truly shall come first and will
Restore all things,12 but I tell you, Elijah

Has come already, but they did not know
Him, but have done to him all that they wished.
In the same way the Son of Man is going

To suffer at their hands, " 13 then the disciples
Understood he was referring to John
The Baptist.14 When they reached the crowd again,

A man came up to Jesus, knelt before
Him,15 and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son.
He's mentally deranged and suffers much.

He's always falling in the fire or in
The water.16 I brought him to your disciples,
But they could not heal him." 17 "O unbelieving

And perverse generation, " Jesus said,
"How long shall I remain with you? How long
Shall I bear with you? Bring the boy here."

18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came
Out of the boy, and he was healed from that
Very hour.19 Then the followers approached

Jesus in private, asking, "Why is it
We couldn't drive it out? " 20 "Because you have
So little faith, " said Jesus. "For if you

Have faith as tiny as a mustard seed,
You can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here
To there' and it will move. You will find that

Nothing will be impossible for you."
22 One day while they were still in Galilee,
He said to them, "The Son of Man is going

To be betrayed into the hands of men.
23 They'll kill him, and on the third day he will
Be raised to life, " and the disciples were

Distressed,24 then when they reached Capernaum,
The Temple tax collectors came to Peter
And asked, "Your master doesn't pay the tax,

Does he? " 25 "Of course he does, " he answered. When
Peter came in the house, the first to speak
Was Jesus. "What do you think, Simon? " he

Asked him. "From whom do this world's kings collect
Duty and taxes−from their citizens
Or conquered foreigners? " 26 "From foreigners, " said

Peter, "then citizens are free, " said Jesus
To him,27 "but so that we may not offend
Them, go down to the lake, throw in your line,

And open up the mouth of the first fish
You catch- you'll find a coin. Take it ashore
And pay them with it for my tax and yours."