Revealed Glory: Faith, Revelation, and the Power of the King
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 15
- 12 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Welcome to Day 287 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These chapters mark a turning point in Jesus’ ministry as He continues to reveal what it means to truly follow Him and live as citizens of God’s Kingdom. Jesus confronts empty religious traditions, calling His followers to purity of heart over outward ritual. He then draws His disciples into deeper revelation—Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah marks a defining moment of faith, while the Transfiguration unveils Christ’s divine glory. Through miracles, teachings, and parables, Jesus reveals the nature of humility, forgiveness, and childlike faith as essential traits in the Kingdom. Together, these chapters move from revelation to transformation, showing that discipleship requires faith, obedience, and a heart aligned with God’s will.
Matthew 15
In Matthew 15, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes who accuse His disciples of breaking ceremonial traditions by not washing their hands. Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, teaching that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of the heart—evil thoughts, words, and actions. He then travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where a Canaanite woman’s persistent faith leads to her daughter’s healing, demonstrating that faith transcends ethnic boundaries. Returning to Galilee, Jesus heals multitudes and miraculously feeds four thousand men, plus women and children, with seven loaves and a few fish. This chapter reveals that Jesus values sincere faith over ritual and shows His compassion and provision for all who believe.
Matthew 16
Matthew 16 begins with the Pharisees and Sadducees demanding a sign from Jesus, to which He responds that no sign will be given except the “sign of Jonah,” pointing to His death and resurrection. He warns His disciples to beware of the “leaven” of these religious leaders—their corrupt teaching and unbelief. At Caesarea Philippi, Peter boldly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus blesses him, affirming that this revelation comes from the Father. Jesus then speaks of building His Church on this confession of faith and introduces the necessity of His suffering and death. When Peter rebukes Him, Jesus corrects him sharply, teaching that true discipleship means denying oneself, taking up the cross, and following Him.
Matthew 17
In Matthew 17, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He is transfigured before them—His face shining like the sun and His clothes white as light. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, confirming that Jesus fulfills both. The Father’s voice declares, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him,” affirming Jesus’ divine authority. After descending the mountain, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy whom His disciples could not heal, teaching that true power comes through faith and prayer. He then again predicts His betrayal and resurrection and concludes the chapter by teaching humility and obedience when He instructs Peter to pay the temple tax through a miraculous provision—a coin found in a fish’s mouth.
Matthew 18
In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches what true greatness looks like in His Kingdom—it is not measured by status or power but by humility and childlike trust. Using a little child as an example, He calls His followers to humility and warns against causing others to stumble in faith. Jesus then shares the parable of the lost sheep, revealing God’s heart for restoration and His desire that none should perish. He instructs His disciples on reconciliation within the community of believers, outlining how to lovingly confront sin and restore relationships. The chapter concludes with the parable of the unforgiving servant, illustrating that those who have received mercy must extend it freely to others. Matthew 18 powerfully portrays the Kingdom of God as one governed by grace, humility, and a relentless pursuit of reconciliation.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Matthew comes from the Hebrew name “Mattityahu”, which means “Gift of Yahweh” or “Gift of the Lord.” This name beautifully reflects Matthew’s role as one chosen by God to record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Before following Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector, a profession often despised in Jewish society, yet his name signifies that God can transform anyone into a vessel of divine purpose and truth.
Purpose of the Book:
The Gospel of Matthew was written to present Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the rightful King of the Jews. Its primary purpose is to prove that Jesus is the promised Savior who fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Matthew emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven, a theme unique to his Gospel, portraying Jesus as both the divine Son of God and the authoritative teacher who reveals the righteousness of God’s kingdom. The book bridges the Old and New Testaments, showing how Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection complete God’s redemptive plan. Matthew’s Gospel also provides a blueprint for discipleship, emphasizing faith, obedience, and spreading the good news to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The author of the Gospel is traditionally identified as Matthew, also called Levi, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was a Jewish tax collector before Jesus called him to follow Him (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27–28). Early church tradition strongly affirms Matthew’s authorship.
Internal Evidence: The Gospel includes detailed financial references (such as the coin in the fish’s mouth in Matthew 17:27 and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30), which align with Matthew’s background as a tax collector and accountant.
External Evidence: Early Christian writers confirm Matthew’s authorship:
Papias (c. A.D. 100–140), as quoted by Eusebius in Ecclesiastical History (Book 3, Chapter 39), wrote: “Matthew composed the oracles (sayings) in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as he was able.”
Irenaeus (c. A.D. 180), in Against Heresies (Book 3, Chapter 1), stated that “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome.”
Origen (c. A.D. 230) and Eusebius both affirmed Matthew as the author of the first Gospel.Additionally, the Gospel itself aligns with Jewish customs and thought, indicating that its author had a deep understanding of Jewish law and prophecy—consistent with Matthew’s identity as a Jewish disciple.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – The central figure, revealed as the Messiah, King, and Son of God.
Mary and Joseph – The earthly parents of Jesus, demonstrating faith and obedience.
John the Baptist – The forerunner who prepared the way for Christ through repentance and baptism.
The Twelve Disciples – Including Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Matthew himself, chosen by Jesus to continue His ministry.
The Pharisees and Sadducees – Religious leaders who opposed Jesus and represent hypocrisy and legalism.
Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor who authorized Jesus’ crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene – A faithful follower of Jesus who witnessed His resurrection.
The Angel of the Lord – A recurring messenger of God’s direction and revelation throughout the narrative.
Conclusion
The Book of Matthew serves as a powerful declaration that Jesus Christ is the promised King and Savior who fulfills God’s covenant promises. It bridges prophecy with fulfillment, law with grace, and Israel’s hope with the world’s redemption. Matthew’s Gospel calls believers to recognize Jesus not only as the Messiah of Israel but as the Redeemer of all humanity. Through His teachings, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus reveals the heart of God and the call for His followers to live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. The book concludes with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), reminding us that God’s purpose for His people is to share His truth, make disciples, and continue His work on earth through faith, obedience, and love.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Matthew 15
In Matthew 15, we see God’s character revealed as compassionate, discerning, and inclusive. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, showing that God looks beyond outward appearances to the purity of the heart. He reveals His mercy toward those who approach Him in faith, as seen in the Canaanite woman who humbly persisted despite rejection. God’s character here shows that He desires sincerity over ritual and responds to genuine faith with grace and healing. The lesson in this chapter teaches that God values the condition of our hearts and welcomes all who come to Him in truth and humility, regardless of background or status.
There are no Hebrew names of God directly mentioned in this chapter, but His nature aligns with Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals) and El Rachum (The Compassionate God). Through the healing of the multitudes and the feeding of the four thousand, we see God’s compassionate provision for both physical and spiritual needs. The lesson is that God’s mercy extends to all who believe, reminding us that His love breaks through barriers of culture, religion, and tradition.
Matthew 16
In Matthew 16, God’s character is revealed as sovereign, wise, and purposeful. Jesus teaches His disciples discernment against false doctrine and reveals His divine plan of redemption through His coming death and resurrection. God’s character shows that He is intentional in revealing truth to those who seek Him, and He desires His people to understand who He truly is—the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. The lesson in this chapter is that true revelation comes from God, not human reasoning, and that following Christ means surrendering our will to His purpose.
Though no specific Hebrew names are mentioned, God’s nature is reflected in Elohim (The Creator, Mighty One) and El Emet (The God of Truth). Jesus’ revelation to Peter demonstrates that God alone gives divine understanding. The lesson teaches us that our faith must be grounded in divine truth, not in signs or worldly proof, and that following Christ may require sacrifice—but leads to eternal life.
Matthew 17
In Matthew 17, God’s character is revealed as glorious, majestic, and faithful. Through the Transfiguration, we see the radiant glory of Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, confirming that God’s promises are true. The Father’s voice from heaven declaring, “This is My beloved Son,” shows His intimate love and divine approval of Jesus’ mission. The lesson here teaches us that God desires us to listen to and trust His Son, even when the path ahead leads through suffering.
No Hebrew names of God are directly mentioned, but His nature is seen as El Shaddai (God Almighty) and Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide). His majesty on the mountain and provision through the temple tax miracle reveal His supreme power and care for His people. The lesson reminds us that God’s glory strengthens our faith, His power sustains us in weakness, and His presence transforms our perspective when we trust Him fully.
Matthew 18
In Matthew 18, God’s character is revealed as compassionate, patient, and merciful—a Father who deeply values every one of His children. He desires humility and reconciliation among His people, showing that true greatness in His Kingdom comes through serving others and having a childlike heart. God’s love is restorative, not punitive; He seeks to bring the lost back into fellowship and calls His followers to mirror His forgiveness and grace toward others. Through His Son’s teachings, we see that God’s heart is for unity, mercy, and righteousness within His family of believers.
In this chapter, the Hebrew names of God that reflect His nature include Jehovah Rohi (The Lord is My Shepherd), seen in the parable of the lost sheep where God lovingly seeks out the one who has gone astray, and Jehovah Rachum (The Compassionate Lord), revealed through His call to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Another fitting name is El Rachum ve’Chanun (The God who is Merciful and Gracious), reminding us that God’s mercy is limitless toward those who repent. The lesson God teaches in Matthew 18 is that life in His Kingdom is built on humility, forgiveness, and love—reflecting His own heart toward His children.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Matthew 15 reveal God’s concern for inward purity over outward appearance?
What does Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman show us about God’s inclusiveness and mercy toward those who seek Him in faith?
In revealing His glory during the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), how does Jesus display both His divinity and His unity with the Father?
What does God’s patience with the disciples’ misunderstanding in Matthew 16–17 teach us about His long-suffering and desire to grow our faith?
How does the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18 reflect God’s shepherding heart and His relentless pursuit of those who stray?
What does the parable of the unforgiving servant reveal about God’s character as both just and merciful?
How do these chapters collectively reveal God as both Jehovah Rohi (the Lord our Shepherd) and Jehovah Rachum (the Compassionate God) in His dealings with humanity?
Questions About Themes:
What major theme connects Jesus’ teachings on defilement, faith, and humility throughout these chapters?
How do faith and revelation work together in Peter’s confession of Christ in Matthew 16?
In what ways does the Transfiguration emphasize the theme of divine revelation and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets?
How does Jesus use miracles, such as feeding the four thousand and healing the demon-possessed boy, to teach about trust and dependence on God?
What does Jesus’ teaching about becoming like little children in Matthew 18 reveal about the values of the Kingdom of Heaven?
How do the parables in Matthew 18 (the lost sheep and the unforgiving servant) emphasize the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation?
How do these chapters collectively teach that discipleship involves both personal transformation and relational responsibility within the body of Christ?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways can you guard your heart from traditions or habits that distract from genuine faith and obedience to God?
How can you practice the kind of persistent faith shown by the Canaanite woman when facing challenges or delays in answered prayer?
What does “taking up your cross” look like in your daily walk with Christ today?
How does Jesus’ transfiguration inspire you to see His glory more clearly in your life and worship?
How can you reflect God’s heart by seeking reconciliation and extending forgiveness to others, even when it’s difficult?
What steps can you take to develop a childlike humility that depends completely on God?
How do these chapters challenge you to live as a true disciple—one marked by faith, humility, and love that mirrors the character of Christ?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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