The king is dead - long live the king. This has been the call through the ages as a monarch has died and a new king is put in place. When Jesus died on the cross, some said that the King was dead, but Jesus overcame death and is risen - long live the King! The women that came to the tomb were looking for a dead Jesus, but He was not there. Today, we need to be seeking an alive Jesus - the risen Lord and Saviour! Do you have a relationship with Jesus?

In the passage today, the crowds were gathering in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Jesus prepared and entered Jerusalem to the praise of a large amount of people. Do we acknowledge and praise Jesus as He becomes a part of our lives on a daily basis? To other people in Jerusalem, Jesus' entry was a disruption from their normal way of life. Does our own way of life reflect what God wants, or do we find Jesus a distraction? We need to allow Jesus to be a part of all aspects of our lives.

The disciples left everything to follow Jesus and saw amazing miracles performed by Him. The transfiguration seemed to be a good place to finish Jesus' ministry - but there was more for Jesus and the disciples to do. For Jesus it was the cross, for the disciples it was to continue to keep focusing on Jesus and spread the good news about Him, but when it came to the demon possessed boy, the disciples could not drive the demon out. They had begun to trust in themselves and rely on their own strength. How often do we first rely on our own strength when facing life's trials? Our focus and trust should be on Jesus and rely on His strength in the first instance.

Jesus taught in parables so that those who believed in Him could understand the Kingdom of Heaven. Those whi did not believe would not understand. The parable of the sower is not about the amount of seed that was scattered, but where it landed. The entry point for becoming a Christian is to hear the good news about Jesus Christ. As God's kingdom grows in this world there will be opposition. Despite Satan's influence, God's ultimate plan for this world will not fail - the division of true believers from those who do not believe. What is it in your life that stops you from fixing your eye on Jesus?

In this passage we see the heart Jesus' ministry and the extent of Jesus' authority - the authority to forgive sins and heal the sick. True discipleship requires leaving our old life behind and to enter into a new life with Jesus. We all sin and so we all need Jesus. From this passage, who do you align with - Matthew or the Pharisees? In this passage we see the heart Jesus' ministry and the extent of Jesus' authority - the authority to forgive sins and heal the sick. True discipleship requires leaving our old life behind and to enter into a new life with Jesus. We all sin and so we all need Jesus. From this passage, who do you align with - Matthew or the Pharisees?