In a noisy and distracted age, how do we recognise the word of God – and how do I know if what I’m ‘hearing’ is the word of God, or just the voice of my own heart?

Jesus declares, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant… even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve”. Jesus is the greatest — not in the way the world recognises, but in the way heaven does.

Jesus calls those who follow Him to sacrifice, lay their lives down, and loosen their grip on the treasures in this world. We cannot enter the kingdom with our earthly riches, but instead trust in the eternal riches gifted to us in Jesus.

Jesus compares the greatest in the kingdom to the children who come to Him with curiosity and faith. Those who seem powerless, weak and unimportant and deemed great and worthy of the kingdom of heaven because of Jesus’ power made perfect in their weakness.

The Transfiguration becomes a divine spotlight on who Jesus truly is: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.” The truth of Jesus’ divinity is revealed to the disciples, as they marvel at his glory and authority given to Him by the Father.

Peter confesses His love and devotion to Jesus - not just in action but in his heart. Peter is confronted by his fear of Jesus’ foretold suffering. Jesus rebukes him - pointing to His suffering as the path he must take to put an end to sin and death for eternity.

Jesus warns of spiritual blindness - that some will go searching for a sign, when the sign was right there in front of them. Beware of teaching that focuses on religious obligation rather than pointing to the person, work and heart of Christ.

Jesus’ greatness is displayed in his insight into the human heart, and his bold confrontation of religious traditions that nullify God’s word. His greatness is utterly countercultural — a willingness to suffer, to be misunderstood, and to lay down his life.

Jesus’ miracles and interactions increasingly overturn expectations—not just of the crowds, but of his closest followers. Greatness is displayed in Jesus’ power used to serve and to lay down His life for those he loves.