The twelve sent out1On one occasion, Jesus called together the twelve and gave them the power and authority to drive out every demon and to heal people from their diseases.2-3He sent them out to preach the gospel of God's Kingdom and to heal the sick, telling them: "Do not take a lot of baggage with you. You will not need a staff, nor bread, nor money, nor extra clothing.4In each place stay in only one house.5If you are not welcome, shake the dust off your feet when you leave as a sign against the people who have rejected you."6So the twelve went from one village to another, preaching the gospel and healing the sick wherever they went.Herod hears about Jesus7-8News of these exploits reached Herod Antipas. He was confused because some claimed that these things were happening because John the Baptist had been raised from the dead, while others said that Elijah had appeared or that one of the prophets from the past had been restored to life.9"I beheaded John," said Herod, "so who is this that I keep hearing about?" He wanted to meet personally whoever was responsible.Feeding of the five thousand10When the apostles returned to Jesus, they told Him of the things they had done. Then Jesus took them away quietly towards the town of Bethsaida;11but news of this spread and crowds followed Him. He welcomed them and preached about God's Kingdom to them and healed all who were sick.12In late afternoon, the Twelve came to Jesus and said: "Dismiss the crowd so they can find food and shelter in the surrounding villages and countryside, because there is nothing for them here in this remote place."13To this Jesus replied: "In that case, you give them something to eat!" They answered: "All we have is five small loaves of bread and two fish, unless we go and buy food for this entire crowd."14About five thousand men were present. But Jesus instructed the disciples to tell the people to be seated in groups of about fifty.15-16This they did and then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish in His hands, looked up to heaven and gave thanks to God. He then broke them and gave each disciple a portion to set before the people.17Everyone ate as much as he wanted and the disciples filled twelve baskets with the remaining pieces!Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ18On another occasion, although His disciples were with Him, Jesus had been praying privately. He then asked them: "Who do the crowds of people think I am?"19They replied: "Some say You are John the Baptist restored to life. Others think You are Elijah or one of the great prophets of the past who has returned."20"But what do you believe?" Jesus asked them. "Who do you say I am?" It was Peter who answered: "You are the Christ, God's anointed Son."Jesus predicts His death21Jesus then gave them strict orders that they were not to make this known to anyone yet.22He told them: "The Son of Man is going to undergo suffering. He will be rejected by the spiritual leaders, the chief priests and teachers of the religious law. He has to be killed, but will be raised back to life on the third day after His death."Followers of Christ must take up their cross23Jesus then told them all: "If any of you wants to be My follower, he will have to deny doing with his life what he wants. He will have to take up his cross of sacrifice every day in order to follow Me.24For whoever wants to live his life for himself will lose everything: but whoever is prepared to sacrifice his life for Me will find true salvation.25"How would it benefit a person if he were to gain everything he wants in the world, but he lost or forfeited his own soul in the process?26"Anyone who is ashamed of Me and of what I teach will find that I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of him when I return in My Father's glory together with the holy angels.27I tell you the truth, some of you with Me here will witness the presence of God's Kingdom before they die!"Jesus is transfigured28About eight days later Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him onto a mountain to pray.29As He was praying, Jesus' face was transformed and His clothes shone as brightly as a flash of lightning.30-31Moses and Elijah stood talking to Him and they, too, looked glorious. They were speaking about how Jesus would fulfil what He had said about His death in Jerusalem.32A deep sleepiness came over Peter and the other two disciples. When they awoke they saw Jesus still there in His glory with Moses and Elijah.33As these two were leaving Jesus, Peter said to Him: "Master, it is so good for us to be here. But how can we preserve this moment? Shall we erect three shelters, one for You and one each for Moses and Elijah?" Clearly Peter did not understand the significance of what was taking place.34While he was speaking, a cloud enveloped them causing them to feel afraid as to what would happen next.35Then a voice spoke from the cloud, saying: "This is My Son, who I have chosen; listen carefully to Him."36After hearing this, the cloud disappeared and they found that Jesus was now alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, telling nobody at that time about what they had witnessed.A boy delivered from an evil spirit37When they came down from the mountain on the following day, they were met by a large crowd.38-39A man called out to Jesus: "Teacher, please come and help my son, for he is my only child and an evil spirit takes hold of him. This spirit makes him scream and throws him into convulsions, causing him to foam at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him alone and is slowly killing him.40I have already asked Your disciples to drive the spirit out of him, but they have been unable to do so."41"What an unbelieving and disobedient generation this is!" Jesus replied. "How much longer do I have to put up with you? Bring your son here to Me."42While the boy was being brought forward, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. Jesus immediately commanded the spirit to leave him. He healed the boy and returned him to his father.43-44And everyone was amazed at this display of God's greatness. While the people were still awestruck at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples: "Listen very carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man will be betrayed and placed in the control of sinful men."45But they could not understand what He meant by this. Its significance was hidden from them and they were afraid to ask Him to explain it to them.The greatest is the most humble46Later the disciples began to argue with one another as to who among them was the most important.47Jesus knew well what they were thinking and so brought forward a small child to stand beside Him.48Then He said to the disciples: "Anyone who receives a little child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me. For the most humble is truly the greatest among you."49John said: "Master, we saw a man who is not one of us driving out demons using Your name; so we tried to stop him."50"No, don't stop him," Jesus said, "for those who are not against you are on the same side as you."Jesus sets out for Jerusalem51Jesus now set out for Jerusalem with a determined attitude, for the time was approaching for Him to return to heaven.52-53He sent messengers ahead of Him, who were to prepare for His arrival in a Samaritan village; but the people there did not want to welcome Him.54"Lord, shall we call down the fire of judgment from heaven upon them to destroy them as Elijah did?" James and John, the sons of thunder, asked.55But Jesus rebuked them for such a suggestion and said: "You do not understand what spirit moves you to suggest such a thing. The Son of Man has come to save men not destroy them."56Then they continued their journey to another village instead.The cost of following Jesus57On the way, a man approached Jesus and said: "I am ready to follow You wherever You go."58Jesus said to him: "Foxes live in holes and birds have their nests; but the Son of Man has no permanent dwelling place."59To another man Jesus said: "Follow Me." But the man answered: "Lord, I must first go and bury my father."60Jesus told him: "Leave the dead to bury those who are dead. But you are to go and preach about God's Kingdom."61Yet another man said: "I want to follow You, Lord; but allow me first to go and say farewell to my family."62Jesus said: "Once a person has begun to plough, he must not look back. Such a one is not fit for service in God's Kingdom."
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)