If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into Hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into Hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye then to have two eyes and be thrown into Hell, where

“the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

Isaiah 66:24

Everyone will be salted with fire.

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

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Jesus is pretty clear here that it is important for us to get rid of the sin in our life. The things that cause us to stumble. What I want to point out, however, is that He is very clear about how He feels about people who cause another to stumble. We should never be the cause of someone else falling to temptation. We are the ones who are supposed to be helping others get out of temptation. This seems unnecessary to say, but I have seen many Christ followers who at times have caused another to stumble. Whether it was by action, attitude, or both it has happened. Jesus makes it clear what would be better for that individual. May we be salt. Salt is good. Add to a person’s life today.

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”

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We can be like the disciples at times…worrying about the name on the door or the people we have or don’t have. Jesus said if they’re acting in my name then they can’t be against me. We make enemies that not even Jesus would make. I believe it’s time for our churches to let pride disappear and petty differences vanish so that we can work together for the name of Jesus. It’s hard to truly represent the name of Jesus while in the midst of disunity.

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because He was teaching His disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.” But they did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him about it.

They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be very last, and the servant of all.”

He took a little child who He placed among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

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Whoever welcomes a little child welcomes me. Jesus compares Himself to the least of these to try to help His disciples to understand that status doesn’t matter…what matters is helping others…loving others. Jesus was helping His disciples see that the servant attitude is what elevates you in the long run. Putting the needs of others above your own is what makes you stand out when it comes to God. Why? Because you are bringing glory to Him. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Bringing light to the world so they can see God? Humble yourselves and elevate the name of Jesus. This is what we have been called to do.

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him.

“What are you arguing with them about?” He asked.

A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw the crowd was running to the scene, He rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and cane out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

After Jesus had gone indoors, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

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The disciples were showing more of faith in themselves here then what they were in God. Jesus reminded them that it could only be done by prayer…a reminder of where the power and strength comes from. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own talents and abilities we fail to remember that it is God who gave it to us in the first place. He is God…we are not. Be mindful today of who you serve…be mindful today that God is the great I Am. He deserves our worship and life. Our lives are but a vapor…use them wisely.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before then. His clothes were dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

And they asked Him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does not come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

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What an amazing moment. Could you imagine being one of those three that got to witness that moment? Not only do you see Jesus transfigured and speaking to Moses and Elijah, but you get to hear the audible voice of God the Father. They were changed that day. An encounter with God, no matter what it may consist of, will change us. When is the last time you have pursued an encounter from God? To have a moment with Him? Don’t waste away your days without pursuing the Creator. It will change your day, your mindset, and your actions.

Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

And He said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

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Jesus is pretty clear to all who would listen here…if you want to be a follower you must be willing to die to self in order to take up the responsibility of carrying the name of Jesus. He goes on to say that if we are ashamed of doing so, He will be ashamed of us when He returns. I want to be a disciple of Christ that is bold in sharing the Gospel. Not out of obligation, but because of the love I have for Him and others. We are called to more than this life. So what will you choose? What are you willing to sacrifice for? I promise you a relationship with Jesus is worth every sacrifice.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” He said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

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Jesus shares with His disciples that He must be rejected and ultimately die. The response from His disciples was for to rebuke and question Him. Here’s the thing…sometimes the road in which God is leading us down doesn’t at all seem like the right one. It doesn’t seem very comfortable, safe, etc. The thing about God’s direction, however, is that on the other side is the greatest blessing imaginable. We must have faith that even when the road seems difficult and unfavorable, God has something incredible in store waiting on the other side. So take the journey…He won’t fail you.

Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way He asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Jesus warmed them not to tell anyone about Him.

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We have a heart to heart conversation between Jesus and His disciples. It is here that Jesus brings the elephant in the room out into the open. Peter declares it…Jesus admits it. This is significant because in order for His disciples to take the next step in their faith, they had to understand who He was and what this was all about. They still have work to do…but Jesus is preparing them for the cross that is ahead. He is preparing them for the beginning of the church. God prepares our hearts as well. If we allow Him, He prepares us to love, forgive, be bold, turn away, etc. When we allow God to transform us we become more of His image…that’s a transformation I want to undergo!

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When He had spit on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put His hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

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What I take from this healing is the fact that sometimes the miracle we expect to receive is not always immediate. Sometimes we have to be patient and allow God to work in His timing. We may ask for healing, restoration, etc. and it not come right away. But we must have faith that even when the miracle isn’t sudden, God is still present and still at work in your life. He is a good Father who know’s how to care for His children. Don’t lose hope…but be willing to wait for God’s move.

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch our for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”

He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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You can just feel the frustration Jesus was experiencing. His disciples were worried because they only had one load of bread…and they had just witnessed Jesus feed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 4,000 with 7 loaves! Jesus is like, did you not just see what I did? Do you not think I can feed the twelve of you with the one loaf? But you see, the disciples were so concerned about their need and what they wanted, they couldn’t see Jesus…not for who He is. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think we need, that we fail to see that we have a God who has promised to provide everything we need. We lose sight of what is important trying to maintain in this world, when Jesus is saying let go of this world. How many of us are focused on the one loaf of bread…not being able to see the potential miracle right in front of us? Let God be God today and everyday!