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 …
The Baptism of Jesus. “One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved …
The Ascension. “Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and then they could no longer see him. Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor …
The Transfiguration: Talking It Over. “Jesus went on to say to his disciples: ‘I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!’ Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone…” (Mark …
The Temptation of Christ. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). Pushed. The Gospel of Mark doesn’t mince words. “The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness.” (Mark 1:12). The Holy Spirit didn’t passively encourage Jesus to go into the wilderness. The Spirit didn’t lead Jesus by the hand into temptation. The fact is, the Holy Spirit drove …