The disciples needed to understand Jesus' identity before He could teach them properly about His death. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was, so that they could fully understand why He came.
Peter was thinking from a human perspective only, not from God's...and because of that, it was warped by Satan.
v34-38 The choice of following Jesus is an all or nothing choice - you either are, or you are not. The decision you make will have implications on the day of judgement.
In seeing Moses & Elijah there, this was affirmation of Jesus being all that the Law & the Prophets had said. However, this experience was going to show them Jesus truly was sent from God.
The question raised in the minds of the disciples was who was Jesus and why did we first have the Prophets - the reason was to show Jesus was enough and far superior than the Prophets.
When Jesus returned to the rest of the disciples, he saw their lack of faith. It is a reminder of our need for complete dependence on Jesus and not at all on ourselves.
Spiritually, the way to become great is to become less - become a servant of all. Be like a little child - welcome them.
Jesus tells the disciples not to behave the way they did, because:
Those who do miracles are tied inextricably with Jesus' teaching
Those who do good will not lose their reward (ie: they will not be forgotten)
It is better to enter the kingdom of God in a right position before God than to have think you're right & be exposed for what you are.
Deal with sin thoroughly.
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