Reading for July 7 is Luke 9... My thoughts on this reading... Chapter 9 is a pretty full chapter of Jesus' various ministry efforts. The first of those efforts is to expand the number of those being reaching by sending out the twelve apostles. They expanded Jesus' kingdom work. We get a little curious questioning by Herod as to what is happening in regards to this Jesus, who he feared might be John the Baptist, risen from the dead. As the disciples return after their mission work, a large crowd gathered to listen to Jesus preach and when the time came and they were hungry, Jesus performs the miracle of the feeding of the 5000+, and the abundance is overwhelming. Jesus then asks about what the crowds are saying about Him, to which of course we get Peter's bold confession, followed by Jesus prediction of His upcoming death. We also hear about taking up our cross and following Jesus, which of course is easier said than done. After this, Jesus takes the three (Peter, James and John) and they behold Jesus in His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Again, I still find it hard to believe they were able to keep quiet about this incredible event until after the resurrection, but having seen it, and knowing who Jesus was, maybe it makes sense that they kept it to themselves. Jesus then heals a boy with an unclean spirit, whom the disciples had failed to heal, and restores the boy and the disciples are left in awe of His majesty and power. Jesus follows that up by predicting His death and resurrection yet again, and that's followed up by the disciples arguing over who would great in the new kingdom, each hoping for their position of honor, completely the opposite of the death and dying to self that Jesus was pointing to and asking for when it came to bearing their own cross. Jesus points them to a child as an example, but they are so hung up on the wrong things that they were upset when someone was dong wonderful things in Jesus' name but they weren't one of the twelve. As they traveled along, a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, and James and John are furious and offer to pray for the Lord's destruction upon that city, to which Jesus puts them in their place. Once more we hear about what it means to truly follow Jesus as the chapter ends.