After having taught the Pharisees, Jesus now turned to His disciples and instructed them on scandals, forgiveness, the power of faith and humble service.

On scandals, Jesus warned the disciples not to cause other disciples to abandon their Christian faith by their own scandal-giving behaviour. Jesus is telling us, Christians today, that we have to be on our guard lest we become the source of scandal for others.

On forgiveness, Jesus spoke on mutual forgiveness. This would mean that when we are offended we often have the tendency to resentment, grudges and even spiteful talk to a third party. As Christians, we ought to meet our offender directly at all costs. If we rebuke him/her it should be to evoke repentance. A rebuke without the offer of forgiveness is unchristian.

Faith is the next essential element for discipleship. Genuine faith, even of the size of a tiny seed like the mustard seed, will be most effective. This involves largely the faith-response we make to the preaching of the Kingdom of God. Such faith reveals to us belief in the 'impossible'.