At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus called a child over and placed the child among them. He told them that unless they were willing to change and be like this child they will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, the one who takes the lowly position of the child is considered the greatest. Also, whoever welcomes one such child in the name of Jesus welcomes Him as well.

To be like a child…it doesn’t mean we have to become a child again. What it does mean is as a child is dependent on their parents, we ought to be dependent on God. As a child continues to grow, so we ought to continue to grow in Christ. As a child is full of awe and wonder, we need to be reminded of our awe and wonder. As a child truly believes God and often times is more personable with God, so our relationship with Him should be. It’s basically humbling ourselves, taking ourself down a level, and placing God in His rightful place in our lives. Who is in control of your life?

As they arrive in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came and asked Peter if Jesus pays the temple tax.

Peter responds by saying yes he does.

When Peter entered the house, Jesus was the first to speak. He asks Peter what he thinks. Who do the kings of the earth collect taxes from, their own children or from others?

Peter answered from others.

Jesus said so the children are exempt. To save from causing an offense, however, go down to the lake and cast your line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch and inside will be a four-drachma coin. Use it to pay your tax and mine.

Jesus wants His disciples to know that who He serves is not of this world, however, it’s still important to keep the peace with the laws of the land. Jesus had to prove though that He could pay it in an unconventional way (a Son of Man kind of way). We may not always agree with all of the political decisions, but it’s important to remember we serve a God not of this world. As long as we serve Him and keep Him first we are on the path that leads to righteousness. Part of that path is obeying the laws of land…we are not exempt from doing so. Our fight should not be about those trivial things, but the more spiritual things such as leading others to Christ. Where is your focus today?

When they came together at Galilee, Jesus told His disciples that the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and three days later He will be raised to life. The disciples were filled with grief.

This is the second time Jesus predicts His death to His disciples. What’s interesting is that both times He says He will raise from the dead three days later, and both times the disciples are filled with grief. They miss the potential miracle as they’re too focused on the situation. Don’t lose sight of what God can do in and through any situation. Take your focus off the situation, and fix your eyes on the One who can overcome it.

As they approached the crowd, a man came and knelt before Jesus, asking for mercy for his son. His son was demon-possessed and would often have seizures and would fall into the fire or water on occasion. The man said he brought his son to the disciples but they could not heal him.

Jesus’ response was to say you perverse generation, how long must I stay with you. He asked for the boy to be brought to Him. He rebuked the demon and it cam out of the boy and he was healed.

The disciples asked Jesus privately why they were not able to drive out the demon.

Jesus said it was because they had such little faith. If you had faith the size of a mustard seed you would be able to tell this mountain to move and it would move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Could you imagine moving a mountain with your faith? Jesus says that nothing is impossible for us if our faith is even the size of a mustard seed. That situation you’re currently in? Jesus says you can overcome it with faith. That temptation you keep giving in to, Jesus says act in faith and you will be able to flee from it. That courage you lack to share the Gospel, Jesus says have a little faith and the strength will come. Faith in what? Faith in the living God working in and through you. You have the very Spirit of God dwelling inside of you if you are an immersed believer. Start living like it today.

After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him up the mountainside. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes were white as light. Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Peter told Jesus that it was good for them to be there. Then he asked Jesus if He wants them to build three shelters-one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud. It said that this was His Son in whom He loved and with Him He is well pleased. Listen to Him!

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground terrified. Jesus touched them and told them not to be afraid and get up. When they did, only Jesus was standing there.

As they were coming down off the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

The disciples asked Jesus why the teachers of the law claim that Elijah must come first.

Jesus replies that it’s so that he can restore all things. Elijah has already come though, and no one recognized him. They treated him however they wanted. The Son of Man will suffer in the same way. The disciples then understood that He was speaking of John the Baptist.

This is such an interesting story in the Gospel narrative. God the Father confirms all what Jesus has been teaching. This was a big moment for the disciples present. God’s words hold true today. The Father is well pleased with the Son, and so we should listen to Him. It’s time we start listening to Jesus and tune out the rest of the world. Follow Christ in all things…listening to His call and not your own.

From that time on, Jesus taught His disciples of how He would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that He would be killed but on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took Jesus aside and told Him that that was never going to happen to Him.

Jesus rebuked Peter and said to get behind Him Satan because he was a stumbling block who only had human interests in mind.

Jesus spoke to all of His disciples and said that whoever wants to be His disciples must take up their cross and follow Him. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good is it to gain the whole world and yet forfeit your soul? What can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with the angels and reward each person according to what they have done.

Jesus also said that the truth is there were some standing there that would not taste death before they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

This is a tough passage. It’s tough because Jesus calls us to an obedience that goes beyond a checklist. If we are going to be His disciple…we must die to ourself as we follow His example. In fact, He says what good is it to have everything else but lose your soul because you weren’t willing to lose your life? ITS NOT ABOUT US. It’s not about our wants, opinions, or desires. It’s about dying to all of that so we can focus solely on the mission at hand. How’s your walk with Jesus? Have you been dying to yourself in order to follow Him? Or have you been more like Peter…focused more on the human interests? It’s a tough passage, but it’s what Jesus calls us to. Are you willing?

When Jesus reaches the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples who people say the Son of Man is.

They answer Him and say that some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, some say Jeremiah, and others say another of the prophets.

Then Jesus asked them what they thought… who do they say HE is?

Peter spoke up and said that He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Jesus calls him blessed and said that His response did not come from flesh and blood but His Father in Heaven. He goes on to say that He is now Peter, and on this rock He will build His church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. He will give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever he binds or looses on earth will be bound and loosed in Heaven. Then He ordered His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah.

In this conversation it is revealed to the disciples that Jesus is the Son of God. This raises a question for you and I today. Who do you say He is? I know we speak it with our words…but who do we claim Him to be with our life? Do our actions bring glory to His name? Do we live our life in such a way that it leaves no doubt who we serve? How we live our life gives a lot of evidence as to how we truly see God. So let me ask you again…who do you say Jesus is?

As they cross the lake, the disciples realize they forgot to bring bread. Jesus tells them to be careful and be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The disciples discussed this among themselves and came to the conclusion that Jesus said this because they forgot the bread.

Jesus responds to them by saying they have little faith. He says don’t you remember how I fed 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and had leftovers? Don’t you remember how I fed 4,000 men with 7 loaves and had leftovers? Of course I am not talking about bread. Then He says again to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees. Then the disciples understood that He was not referring to the yeast used in bread, but to the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

For you and I, we need to be on guard as well. False teaching is still very prevalent in our world today. It is important that you understand for yourself what scripture says. If we just assume that the teaching we are hearing is correct, we might be siding with a false narrative and not even know it. Study the Word, understand what it says, and know for yourself what is right and what is wrong. Be on guard in all circumstances.

While Jesus was still by the Sea of Galilee, some Pharisees and Sadducees tried to test Jesus by asking Him for a sign from heaven.

Jesus replies to them by saying at night time, if the sky is red, you will say that tomorrow will be a good day. In the morning, if the sky is red, you will say it will be a stormy day. He says that you cannot interpret the signs of the times in the same way you do the weather. A wicked and adulterous generation is looking for a sign, but they won’t find any except the sign of Jonah. Then Jesus left them and went on His way.

Jesus gets right to the point with these individuals by telling them they will never receive such a sign. He even puts them in their place by calling them a wicked people looking for a sign. Here’s the point behind it. It is not up to us to know all things…as much as we may want to. Our place is to know we have a Sovereign God who loves us and has made a way for us to live for eternity in His presence. Everything else is out of our hands…everything else is secondary compared to that understanding. Let’s just fix our eyes on Jesus today…that’s al that truly matters.

So Jesus left that region and went along the Sea of Galilee. Great crowds brought to Jesus people who had all kinds of various physical issues and He healed them there. The people were amazed and praised the God of Israel.

Jesus called His disciples over and told them that He had compassion on these people. They have already been with Him for 3 days and have had nothing to eat. Jesus didn’t want to send them away hungry for them just to collapse.

His disciples, of course, questioned where they would get enough food to feed them all. Jesus asked how much food they had, and His disciples said they had 7 loaves of bread and a few fish.

Jesus took the food and broke it, giving it to His disciples to distribute. Everyone ate and was satisfied. They had 7 baskets of leftovers remaining. Jesus fed 4,000 men plus their wives and children that day.

This is the second time we see this happen. What’s interesting is that His disciples act and speak like this has never happened before. Even though they witnessed Jesus feed 5,000 with less food, they still couldn’t get their head around Him feeding 4,000 with what they had. Have we ever acted like that in our own life? Have we ever seen God show up and answer a prayer or bring healing or solve our situation? What usually happens? The next time we face a struggle while usually have the same lack of faith that we did the first time. It’s time to trust in Almighty God and lean on His understanding instead of our own. His is a great and powerful God…He’s got this.