Here the Kingdom of Heaven is introduced in the beatitudes. We are provided with a series of blessings associated with mourning, meekness, seeking after righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peace-making and persecution.

Can you imagine being chosen among Jesus’ first twelve disciples, being part of the most famous and effective dozen in history?

Our priorities are a lot to do with our perspective.

Yes, he had received a remarkable miracle, perhaps the first leper to be healed in such a way, but … all he was asked in return was to tell no-one except the priests.

Jesus knew his mission. It is a shame others could not see beyond their personal needs.

It was all a matter of authority. No-one had seen such authority before. Demonic spirits were powerless before his command, because they knew who they were dealing with.

Jesus had been with his friends for a little time but now he felt that it was time they ‘manned up’ and became more than just friends, but disciples, called out for serious duty

One the one hand, there’s the way we do things; we have our ways of producing results and our own times for carrying out these ways.

Can you imagine how it was? The carpenter’s son had returned to his home town and given the privilege of reading from the sacred scroll in the Synagogue, then preaching from it.