Lesson 5157

 Lesson 5157)(03-16-26) Matthew 18:1-5 

   “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus used the symbol of a child to illustrate that entrance into the kingdom of heaven requires a deliberate spiritual transformation into a state of total and absolute humility, where one abandons worldly status and intellectual pride to become as teachable and unpretentious as a small child. ~ 

Lesson 5156

  

(Lesson 5156)(03-15-26) Matthew 17:22-27 

   “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” 

 

   In Today’s quote, Jesus told his apostles of His, soon to come, death, burial and resurrection and then instructs Peter to pay the temple tax by catching a fish that miraculously contains a coin in its mouth. ~

Lesson 5155

 (Lesson 5155)(03-14-26) Matthew 17:14-21 

   “And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” 

 

   In todays’ quote, Jesus performed another miracle when He healed a boy possessed by a demon after His apostles failed to do so. Jesus then explained that their inability to cast out the devil stemmed from a lack of faith. The most damning problem with today’s “Christians” is a lack of faith. ~ 

Lesson 5154

 (Lesson 5154)(03-13-26) Matthew 17:10-13 

   “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus clarified that the prophecy of Elijah’s return was fulfilled through the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Messiah but was rejected and suffered just as the Son of man (Jesus) soon would. ~

Lesson 5153

 (Lesson 5153)(03-12-26) Matthew 17:1-9 

   “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus revealed his divine glory to Peter, Jame’s and John, through His divine Transfiguration. He was accompanied by Moses and Elijah, to confirm his identity as the Son of God and prepare them for his upcoming suffering through the God’s command to "Hear ye him." ~