Highlights in Matthew 16-19

My current reading in English is in the New Testament. Some time ago I began reading the Old Testament aloud in Portuguese to practice pronunciation. Thereafter i began reading aloud in the New as a different way of abiding in His Word. ( John 8:31-32) Today i read through chapters 16-19 of Matthew. In Matthew 16:28 Jesus says, "Truly I say to you there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." ( ESV) Although various proposals have been made regarding the interpretation of this statement, one obvious one is found in the very next chapter where, six days later, Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain where He is transfigured before them, the Father speaks ( verse 5)and the disciples are overwhelmed. In the end of chapter 17 there is a question about whether Jesus will pay the temple tax. Jesus explains that He is exempt from this tax but not to give offense He tells Peter to go to the sea, open the mouth of the first fish that he catches and he will find the necessary coin to pay the tax both for himself and for Jesus. Now Jesus simply could have created a coin much as He did created food to feed multitudes on at least two occasions. Instead Peter must show that he believes what Jesus told him ( exercise his faith), go to the sea, and fish until he catches one. I doubt that in a lifetime of fishing that Peter has ever caught a fish with a coin in its mouth. He must believe that what Jesus says is true, and show that he believes by going fishing. How easy it is to skim through these passages and not think about the realities therein. In chapter 18 there is a parable about forgiveness. For far too long I "spiritualized," this kind of passage, almost like Jesus wasn't being serious. Now I understand that He is deadly serious. The conclusion in verse 35 is chilling. "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." If strong feelings do not arise when we think about or have interaction with someone who has mistreated us, and if we can pray and genuinely ask God to bless that person then we have probably forgiven. But if we cannot then we need to examine our own hearts, consider what Jesus forgave us of, and forgive. Earlier in chapter 18 we have little children coming to Jesus. He says that for anyone to enter the kingdom they must be as humble as a child. Finally in chapter 19, after Jesus has spoken what has become known as the "exception clause," the disciples respond in verse 10 that it is better not to marry. Jesus does not contradict or disagree with this statement. He only says that not everyone will receive this, but "let the one who is able to receive this receive it." ( Matthew 19:12 ESV)