Jesus, Friend of Sinners. “Behold, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and especially wicked sinners.” (Matthew 11:19). An Inside look at Levi Matthew’s Banquet for Jesus. Please read the story of Matthew’s party in Matthew 9:10-13, Mark 2:15-17, and Luke 5:29-32. Also refer to Luke 15:1-2 and 19:1-7. LADIES OF THE …
Representing Jesus: The Seventy. “The Lord now chose seventy (or seventy-two) other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places He planned to visit… When the seventy disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” (Luke 10:1,17). Please read the story …
Representing Jesus: The Twelve. “And Jesus called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits… So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, …
Jesus and Sinners: Judas. “So Judas came straight to Jesus, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ he exclaimed, and gave Him a kiss. Jesus said, ‘My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.’ Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested Him.” (Matthew 26:49-50). The tragic life of Judas Iscariot is well documented in the Gospels. He was …
Jesus and Sinners: Matthew’s Outcasts. “Later, Levi (Matthew) invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.” (Mark 2:15). Please read the story about Jesus and the sinners in Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, and Luke …
Jesus and Sinners: A Prostitute. “Then Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet …
Jesus and Sinners: The Rich Young Ruler. “Now a certain ruler came up to Jesus and asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ … But the man was sad at what Jesus said, and he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:17,22). Please read the story of Jesus …
Jesus and Sinners: The Adulteress. “When Jesus had stood up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (John 8:10-11). Please read …
Jesus and Sinners: Zacchaeus. “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house!’ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.” (Luke 19:5-6). Please read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10). …
The First Miracle: Water Into Wine. “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And the disciples believed in Him.” (John 2:11). Please read John 2:1-11. Cana. A tiny village about nine miles north of Nazareth in the Galilee region, Cana was about midway if one where traveling from Nazareth to …
Mission Defined: Jesus and Isaiah. “So Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. And when He opened the scroll, He found the place where …
The Cleansing of the Temple. “So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the Temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the Temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the furniture of those who sold doves. And he would not allow anyone to carry wares through …