But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

There is nothing really in us worthy of boasting about when we belong to Yshua. On the other hand there is everything to boast about Yshua, the living God, who emptied Himself for us. Then in our everyday living on earth, knowing who we are compared to who He is and what He has done for us, the choice is simply to choose between living our sinful lives, or identifying ourselves with Him, by forgoing sinful pleasures. It is natural for us to crave for pleasures if He is not the main focus of our lives.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself

John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.

Drawing people to ourselves and ultimately focussing on Christ, because we need to point them to Christ and not to ourselves. Our Lord died and rose again, because there is no other way for salvation for us. As painful as it was for Him, being grateful and appreciative for what He went through accomplishes nothing and that was not His goal. His sacrifice paid the justly price for our sins, so that we can be claimed back by God. To lead others to Christ then, they must understand first the reason for the Cross, and later followed by the submission at the foot of the Cross.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all

James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

The Law is complete and perfect. Mankind is fallen, and is not perfect. No one can be completely sinless except for one Yshua Massiach. Even the very good people will fail to obey God completely throughout their lives. The perfect law means that breaking any part of it is enough for God's righteous condemnation. So how is anyone going to live up to this. Admission of our inability to get right with God on our own is the first step. The next step is of course to except Yshua as our Lord, because He has paid the penalty for our sins when He went to the cross and gained victory over death.

He will glorify me

John 16:14
He will glorify me

To ignore the death of our Lord Yshua and to ignore the meaning and significance, is not the kind of faith that will be useful. It is at the Cross, that His death and Resurrection reveal the power and glory of God Almighty. The work of salvation is finally done at the cross and nowhere else. This has enormous meaning for us because that is the only way that we can be saved. It is what makes the Christian faith real, not just wishful thinking.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Continuing with the same verse, the focus therefore is not on ourselves. Various modern sermons tend to concentrate on how believing and submitting to Jesus will enrich our lives. This has drawn large crowds of people back to the church - which is a good result. However, to produce true life-changing experience, the account of the Cross and the story of redemption by our Lord and Saviour must never be diminished. The focus of preaching should not be merely on the people's spiritual condition, but rather on the Cross because we are commanded to preach "Yshua Massiach and Him crucified".

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do

John 17:4
I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

The last few words of our Lord Yshua on earth summarises His mission. From the beginning, He was destined for the Cross, because that is the only way that God could redeem sinful people. God's love itself does not redeem us, but is the motivation of what Yshua had to go through for us. When the work on the Cross was completed, mankind can now be redeemed back to God, as the sins have been forgiven for people, and had been transferred to our Holy Lord on the Cross.

whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven

Mark 10:21
1 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

This passage about the rich young ruler is not about wealth. It is also not about holiness and sanctification, as the young man has lived an almost perfect moral life. Jesus saw that there was something holding the man back. He offered him a choice to make, there was still a chance he might change. However, the man admitted defeat and did not turn toward Jesus for help. Jesus wanted the man to come to Him, depend on Him and surrender to Him, He was not looking for perfection in the man. It mentioned that Jesus looked at the man and loved Him, He did not turn the young man away.

Who Himself bore our sins

1 Peter 2:24
... who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree ...

Jesus, our Lord Yshua, put all of our sins onto Himself when He went to the cross. The agony during His prayer before the Transfiguration, maybe because of His realization of the separation from God because of the sins Yeshua put on Himself.

One very subtle point is that our Lord did not go to the Cross to prove Himself or gain acceptability as a sacrifice for our sins. Instead, it was to satisfy the Holy Justice of God, that the sins of humanity need to be paid for. And the only acceptable sacrifice is Jesus Himself who is totally pure.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel

1 Corinthians 1
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

A few things we can learnt from this passage. Firstly, Paul is very clear of his mission. Just as John the Baptist was appointed to preach repentance and baptize the people in water, Paul's mission was to preach the gospel. The gospel is the good news of salvation through faith in our Lord Yeshua. Paul could have done many things, but his main purpose was to preach the gospel.

The second part is that the way he preached the gospel did not depend on wise words to be effective. Here we have to imagine beyond Paul's writings in the New Testament. Although Paul was educated and eloquent in his writing, his contribution was guided by the Holy Spirit. Moreover, his writing was quite a different task to the many days and years that Paul spend preaching the gospel directly in person to other people. The core of the gospel must be, not due to the power of convincing words, but the work done by Christ on the cross.

They laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, .... and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

Luke 23
26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.


The events involving Jesus' march to the cross took on a curious turn when a man named Simon, was pulled out of the crowd to help our Lord Jesus as He was physically suffering under the scourging while carrying His cross. There are many ways to see this, firstly Yshua's physical suffering was so bad that even the cruel Roman soldiers knew He could no longer carry the cross Himself.

Secondly, we can see even in the most difficult period of His life, Yshua was able to make a connection with Simon and most likely caused Simon to believe. Thirdly, Simon was probably another bystander but when told to carry the cross for Yshua, he moved promptly to help. We do not know how many other lives were saved through the testimony of Simon about his most privileged encounter to carry the cross of Yshua.

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body

Paul continues to encourage the believers to rooted in Him so that they will not be moved by mere persuasive words. As in today, in Paul's days there were many who teach various philosophies and principles of the world which are not consistent with Christ's teachings. Our circumcision is the cruxifixion of Christ as our sins are put upon Him. As Christ was raised from the dead, so we too are raised from our dead sinful selves, with our sins nailed to the cross.

With the new freedom we have in Christ, Paul warns us not to get bounded by the traditions and customs which were supposed to be shadows of the real things of Christ. Paul also warns against false humility and the worship of angels, both of which are still present today to a certain degree. Paul warns that such traditions, regulations and 'self-imposed' religion is useless because it cannot help the believer over come their sinful fleshly nature.





Colossians 2
Not Philosophy but Christ

1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and[a] of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it[b] with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.


Not Legalism but Christ

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins[c] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not[d] seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

20 Therefore,[e] if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Paul shares a few words of encouragement to the Galatians. Firstly he urges us to help others who have fallen, to get back on the path to Jesus. In order to do this and to help others with their burdens, we should not think too highly of ourselves.

Paul teaches on reaping and sowing in terms of doing it in the flesh versus in the spirit. Sowing in the flesh results in corruption while in the spirit produces everlasting life. This is perhaps related to the motivation for doing good, as he also calls us to do good for others.

Paul reminds us that it is not a matter of circumcision or any outward religious sign, but rather, the things that really matters include the cross of Christ and being made a new creation.




Galatians 6
Bear and Share the Burdens

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Glory Only in the Cross

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise

Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate to be convicted but Pilate did not find any reason to convict Him. Pontius gladly handed over Jesus to Herod. So Herod questioned Jesus who did not answer Him. So Herod handed Jesus back to Pilate. Herod tried to please the crowd and promised to beat Jesus then release Him because he really did not want to convict Jesus for no reason. Then Herod thought of asking them to choose to release Jesus or Barabbas the criminal but they chose Barabbas.

As they led Jesus to the cross, they also made Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Him. Many people followed Jesus with the cross, and the women weeped. Jesus was crucified together with two criminals. The soldiers took His garment and cast lots for it, hence fulfilling a prophecy. They put an inscription about Jesus with the writing King of the Jews. One of the criminals mocked Jesus with his dying breath, yet the other criminal rebuked him, instead asked to be with Jesus.

When Jesus died on the cross, there was darkness and the curtain in the temple torn in two. The centurion standing nearby may have understood who Jesus was. Joseph of Arimathea went and took Jesus body with permission from the authorities. He prepared Jesus body then put it in his tomb.




Luke 23
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the[a] nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

Jesus Faces Herod

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee,[b] he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Taking the Place of Barabbas

13 Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him;[c] and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” 17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).[d]

18 And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.[e] 24 So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 25 And he released to them[f] the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

The King on a Cross

26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[g] 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”[h]

And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:[i]

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ,[j] save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord,[k] remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross

44 Now it was[l] about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened,[m] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”[n] Having said this, He breathed His last.

47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting[o] for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple

Jesus had on several occasions eaten with the Pharisees on Sabbaths and healed people. Here is one of those occasions and Jesus knew what they felt when and anticipated their questions, so He asked them if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Although He is known for rebuking the Pharisees, He does not condemn them but still give them the opportunity. With this in mind, He teaches them that there are certain things which are more important than keeping the Sabbath, such as physically healing or saving man or animal.

Jesus saw people jostling for front seats when they gathered to listen to Him. So He took the opportunity to teach them not to seek the high places, instead aim for the low places. He used a parable to show that it is better to aim for the low seat, then being asked by the master to take a higher seat, which is better than the opposite way.

Jesus told the parable of the great supper where the master invited His friends to attend but they all gave excuses. The master became angry then opened his invitation to the people who are disadvantaged instead. Jesus also taught about the cost of following Him. Sometimes this cost may include separation from family. In fact, He summarizes that "whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." Another teaching is that being a salt to others in the world, we must not loose our saltiness. If salt loses its flavour, then it is useless.





Luke 14
A Man with Dropsy Healed on the Sabbath

1 Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”[a]

4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey[b] or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

Take the Lowly Place

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

The Parable of the Great Supper

15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread[c] in the kingdom of God!”

16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ 23 Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”

Leaving All to Follow Christ

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless

34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God

Jesus sends out his disciples with power and authority and they were expected to cast out demons and cure diseases, as they were preaching. Meanwhile Herod heard about Jesus and was interested in seeing whether Jesus was a resurrected John the Baptist or Elijah. The disciples returned to Jesus from their ministry, so we see that Jesus did commission His disciples while He was still on earth. Soon the crowd came to Jesus to listen and get healed. This led to the miraculous feeding of the five thousand men, with five loaves and two fish.

After this Jesus was alone praying and joined with His disciples. He asked them who they thought He was and Peter said Jesus is the Christ. Then Jesus taught them about His death and resurrection and that His followers would also need to suffer - like "taking up the cross".

The transfiguration of Jesus is described here in more detail. The two men seen with Jesus were Moses and Elijah. During this, it seemed Peter woke up and asked Jesus if they should build a tabernacle. Then a cloud also engulfed the disciples as they were seemingly involved in this transfiguration. It is then that a voice from God confirmed that Jesus is the Son and asked them to listen to Him.

Jesus was asked to help a boy who was possessed because they had asked the disciples and they could not cast out the demons. Jesus commented about their lack of faith, then cast out the demon. He also told them again of his death and resurrection but they did not understand. He also explained to them the principle of servant hood after seeing their disciples trying to gain higher positions. Jesus also teach them that anyone who is not against them is with them, so they do not go against other groups preaching the good news.

When Jesus group was rejected by a Samaritan village, some of the disciples wanted to call down judgment on the village like Elijah, but Jesus made it clear that His mission is about salvation, not judgment at that time. Along the way Jesus called a few people to follow Him. They agreed but wanted to settle some of their business first. Then Jesus taught that whoever looks back on their lives, are not fit for the kingdom of God.







Luke 9
Sending Out the Twelve

1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Herod Seeks to See Jesus

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

Feeding the Five Thousand

10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”

13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men.

Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”

20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,[a] and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son.[b] Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

A Boy Is Healed

37 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. 38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.

But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

Who Is the Greatest?

46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism

49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us[c] is on our side.”[d]

A Samaritan Village Rejects the Savior

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”[e]

55 But He turned and rebuked them,[f] and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”[g] And they went to another village.

The Cost of Discipleship

57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels

There is second account of mass feeding and this is with seven loaves of bread feeding four thousand people. Jesus showed them how to give thanks, broke the bread, then distributed the food. A short mention of the Pharisees asking for a sign, and Jesus flatly denied them of such signs - but elsewhere He does give signs to His people.

Jesus seemed to have a difficult teaching for His disciples. He told them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. However, since the disciples were preoccupied with their own lack of bread on the boat, they thought Jesus must be talking about the same situation. Then Jesus asked them how many baskets of bread He created when He broke the few pieces of bread. Although they answered the number of baskets correctly, it appeared that they still did not understand and Jesus did not reveal the answer here. Perhaps it is to do with the fact that a few bad teachings such as in the Pharisees, can affect a large population.

Another curious account of Jesus healing a blind man. The interesting facts were that Jesus spit on the man's eyes during the healing process. Also the first healing, resulting in partial healing since the man saw other people like walking trees. And only in the second healing that the man received clear sight.

Jesus asked his disciples who others say He was and who they think He was. Peter was first to answer that Jesus is the Christ. And Jesus told them not to tell others yet. Jesus also revealed to them the detail of His death and resurrection. Peter rebuked Jesus but Jesus scolded Peter that he was not thinking in terms of God's plan and will.

Finally Jesus calls on His people to follow Him in the most demanding way yet. This is where He asks us to carry the cross, to follow in His footsteps of suffering for the Kingdom. Important point to note that it is not a call to any kind of suffering, but suffering for His cause. He expands this to warn people who are ashamed of His name or His words, that He will also be ashamed of them at His Second Coming.




Mark 8
Feeding the Four Thousand

1 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

4 Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”

5 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

And they said, “Seven.”

6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Pharisees Seek a Sign

11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples[a] had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still[b] hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

21 So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”


A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”[c]


Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.


Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”


Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”