True Cost of Discipleship

Matt. 16:24–27; Mark 8:34–38

23 tThen He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross 2daily, and follow Me. 24 uFor whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 vFor what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 wFor whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be xashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

27 yBut I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

Matt. 16:28–17:9; Mark 9:1–9; 2 Pet. 1:17, 18

28 zNow 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 aMoses and bElijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His 3decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him cwere 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 4tabernacles: 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 dcloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, e“This is 5My beloved Son. fHear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. gBut they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Demoniac Son is Healed

Matt. 17:14–18; Mark 9:14–27

37 hNow 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 6faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and 7bear 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.

Christ Prophesies His Coming Death

Matt. 17:22, 23; Mark 9:30–32

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 i“Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 jBut 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.

True Greatness

Matt. 18:1–5; Mark 9:33–40

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

49 rNow 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 she who is not against 8us is on 9our side.”