City On A Hill: Melbourne

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.

In Jesus, we find a Saviour who redefines what it means to be great — not through status or strength, but through humility, self-denial, and sacrificial love. It begins with the death of John the Baptist whose greatness points to the true and greater One.

Passage: 'John 13:34-35'. Preacher: Javi De La Rosa. Visit www.cityonahill.com.au for more about our mission to know Jesus and make Jesus Known.

Jesus teaches on the kingdom of heaven in a series of parables such as a treasure found hidden in a field, or a mustard seed that grows into a beautiful tree, or a pearl worth selling everything you have to keep. Will those who seek find hope in the kingdom of God?

Sam Allberry (PM). Visit www.cityonahill.com.au for more about our mission to know Jesus and make Jesus Known.

Opposition and evil escalate in a plot to kill Jesus. Signs are demanded by those who have failed to recognise who Jesus is. The end of evil for eternity is foreshadowed. Who will see Jesus as hope for humanity in darkness?

John the Baptist expresses doubt that Jesus is the Saviour that he had prophesied would come. The mystery of Jesus’ revelation begins as He invites all troubled souls to come and find rest in Him. Who will see and behold the glory of Jesus?

Jesus sends the twelve disciples to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, and gives them authority to heal and cast out demons in his name. The mission is bold and costly - will the disciples prove faithful to the call?

The mission of Jesus is revealed as he continues to heal and bring life, teach the crowds, and call the twelve disciples to follow him for the ministry ahead. Could there be more to Jesus than just a prophet, good teacher or healer?

Jesus’ teaching astonishes the crowds, demonstrating His authority. He performs miraculous wonders - healing the sick and calming the raging seas. The crowds begin to ask “who is this man and by what authority has he come?”

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb in grief, seeking Jesus—but a dead Jesus. As she weeps, He stands before her, asking the same question heard at His arrest: “Whom do you seek?” She seeks a body, but finds the risen Lord. In an instant, sorrow turns to joy as Jesus calls her by name. The one who drank the cup of suffering now stands victorious over death. He is not just alive—He is sending His followers into the world. “As the Father sent me, so I send you.” Whom do you seek? A memory? A historical figure? Or the living Jesus, who brings peace, power, and purpose? The empty tomb calls us to see, believe, and go tell the world.

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus steps forward from the shadows to meet those sent to arrest Him. Soldiers come expecting a criminal, armed with weapons and torches. Yet, it is Jesus who takes control, asking, “Whom do you seek?” His declaration—“I am”—briefly reveals His power, causing them to fall to the ground in awe. Judas and the soldiers seek a revolutionary, Peter fights to defend a king, but Jesus stands as the willing sacrifice. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” He asks, making it clear: this is no accident. Jesus is on a mission to the cross, to take the cup of wrath for the sake of others. Even in the chaos, He protects His disciples and heals the wounded, revealing His heart of grace. This Good Friday, whom do you seek? The answer stands before us: Jesus, the crucified one, who came to save.

True or false? Wise or foolish? Jesus ends his “sermon on the mount” by inviting us to walk the narrow path, following His way that leads to life. As followers of Jesus we put our firm foundation in Him, withstanding trials and temptations and finding everlasting joy in Him.