Matthew 17.  A few disciples got a preview of Christ in his coming glory on the mount of transfiguration.  They heard the voice of the Father himself say “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen to him.”  You would think that such a glorious person would not have to deal with the mundane indignities of life. Surely he wouldn’t have to bother with the two sure things – death and taxes.  But he does.  Jesus was one of us.  He lived his entire life in the shadow of death on the cross.  He paid all his debts, even if he had to go fishing for the money.  He lived among a frustrating, faithless and twisted generation, not above them.  So do we.

LORD, we know we are destined for your glory.  Help us to honor you by being faithful now among the faithless.  Help us to stay straight, so that we might reach this twisted generation with your gospel.

“O faithless and twisted generation…”  17:17