In the light of God’s mercy shown to Jews and Gentiles, we should respond by living our lives wholly committed to God. our behaviour and thinking will change.

Paul uses the imagery of slavery to show what was the old life but compares it to the freedom of the new life. We are obligated to please God in response to God’s generous love towards us. We choose to follow God.

Paul explains that Jesus is the culmination of the law. He outlines the process of sharing the gospel and comments on the response of the Jews and Gentiles at that time.

Paul travels to Miletus, bypassing Ephesus but calls the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him. He is concerned to train the leaders in the way they should lead the church - with humility and not seeking gain for themselves.

One of the chosen seven men, began preaching in the Temple and synagogues. There was opposition from the hearers and he was forced to appear before the Sanhedrin to face trumped up charges.

During the Last Supper, Jesus predicts that one of his disciples would betray him. Judas leaves the meal. Jesus teaches about servant leadership and gives guidance about their future ministry.

Jesus demonstrates the need for servant leadership in the community he is establishing - the Church.  He predicts his betrayal by someone close to him - much like what happened to King David.

In the light of the Jewish expectations that when Jesus go to Jerusalem, he would bring in the full Kingdom of God, Jesus tells this parable using the political culture of his day to explain the difference between his first and second coming and the responsibility of his followers.

Although Jesus plainly predicts his death and resurrection, the disciples - illustrated here by James and John - do not yet understand what he means. They have OT teaching and their own expectations.

Jesus teaches his disciples to be aware of not causing others to stumble, to use the little faith they have to move obstacles to the growth of the Kingdom and to be humble as servants of God.