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Luke Johnson writes: “The Pharisees were indicted for false legal piety, they did not keep the deep moral demands of the law and prophets even as they posed as their protectors. As Money-lovers, they tried to both serve God and Mammon.” Now Jesus turns to the disciples with positive instruction concerning the demands of the Gospel.

There are four matters which Jesus addresses: 

1. The presence of scandal
2. The demands of forgiveness
3. The power of faith
4. The attitude of service

These are not matters of comfort,  rather they show the difference between living a kingdom of God kind of life and using religion as a means of disguising sin.  

The first two are very radical statements:

• Scandals are necessary 
• They show the need for repentance and forgiveness
• Forgiveness is necessary 
• This demonstrates the power and presence of God’s character in a life

The response of the shocked disciples is, how can we do that?

• Jesus reply is twofold:
• to focus on the importance of faith in a believers life
• to fulfill the purpose of God in service and obedience
• This is in direct opposition to the self-justifying attitudes of the Pharisees 

This reply begs the question, how do I get this kind of faith?

            The righteous shall live by faith

            The empowerment of the Holy Spirit enables us to have mustard seed faith

            The confrontation in Jerusalem, and the start of a new era is coming into focus

Your response to sin and scandals, will determine how your spiritual walk is governed. The objective here is not perfection, but humility and love motivating your actions.