If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. Matthew 18:8 The warning of Jesus is clear that the stakes of heaven or hell are important...
Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 We typically think of greatness as something achieved as the disciples did. Celebrities, scientists, the “smartest one in my class” are great. Jesus looks at greatness from the...
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Matthew 18:1 If you are asking the question (of greatness) you have much to learn. Jesus would answer their question with a little child. He wants us to see that the path to...
“What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense . . . Matthew 17:25-27 I don't like to pay...
Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. Matthew 17:22-23 The disciples were distressed because they could only think of how...
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and...
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 The Father claimed Jesus because that is who Jesus is—and has always been. We are blessed that God...
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 This reading, on this day, forces one to...
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:26 Jesus spoke to his disciples about what it takes to follow him. It may involve suffering. Then he offers the alternative...
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 Many people shy away from this passage because who wants to deny themselves anything and who wants to have to deal with their own personal...