NKJV - The One Gospel: Part 1

1. The Dedications of Mark and Luke

Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1–4

The beginning of the gospel of Yeshua Christ, the Son of God.

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

2. IN THE BEGINNING

John 1:1–18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'"

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Yeshua Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

I. Background and Birth of Yeshua

3. THE ANNUNCIATION TO ZECHARIAH

Luke 1:5–25

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."

And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

4. THE ANNUNCIATION TO MARY

Luke 1:26–38

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Yeshua. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

5. MARY VISITS ELIZABETH

Luke 1:39–56

Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

6. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Luke 1:57–80

Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John."

But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

7. THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH

Matthew 1:18b–24

After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua, for He will save His people from their sins."

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.

8. THE BIRTH OF YESHUA

Luke 2:1–7

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

9. THE ANGELS' PROCLAMATION TO THE SHEPHERDS

Luke 2:8–20

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

10. PATERNAL GENEALOGY OF YESHUA

Matthew 1:1–17

The book of the genealogy of Yeshua Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.

David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Yeshua who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

11. MATERNAL GENEALOGY OF YESHUA

Luke 3:23b–38

Now Yeshua Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

12. THE CIRCUMCISION AND NAMING

Matthew 1:25b; Luke 2:21

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

13. PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

Luke 2:22–39a

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Yeshua, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee.

14. THE VISIT OF THE MAGI

Matthew 2:1–12

Now after Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

15. FLIGHT INTO EGYPT AND MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS

Matthew 2:13–18

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."

When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

"A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."

16. THE RETURN TO NAZARETH

Matthew 2:19–23; Luke 2:39b

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

II. The Youth of Yeshua

17. THE YOUNG YESHUA CONFERS WITH THE TEACHERS

Luke 2:40–50

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Yeshua lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."

And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

18. YESHUA GROWS TO MANHOOD

Luke 2:51–52

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Yeshua increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

19. JOHN THE BAPTIST GROWS TO MANHOOD

Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6; Luke 1:80

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

III. Prologue to the Ministry

20. JOHN THE BAPTIST BEGINS TO PREACH

Matthew 3:1–3, 5–6; Mark 1:2–5; Luke 3:1–6; John 1:7–8

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

"Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You." "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

21. JOHN REBUKES THE PHARISEES AND CROWDS

Matthew 3 : 7 – 10 ; Luke 3 : 7 – 14

But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “O generation of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with true repentance, and do not think it is enough to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you, God is able from these very stones to raise up more children to Abraham. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees; and every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire.”

The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” And he answered them, “He who has two shirts, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

Tax-gatherers— collaborators and revenue agents for the Romans — also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are entitled to.” Soldiers asked him, “And we, what should we do?” And he said to them, “Take no money by force or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.

22. JOHN DESCRIBES THE COMING MESSIAH

Matthew 3 : 11 – 12 ; Mark 1 : 7 – 8 ; Luke 3 : 15 – 18 ; John 1 : 19 – 28

The people were filled with expectation and all were wondering in their hearts whether John might perhaps be the Messiah.

But when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?,” this was John’s response. He confessed—he did not deny, but confessed—“I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Then who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

He said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the path of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now those who had been sent were from the Pharisees, and they asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”

John answered all of them with these words: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but among you stands one whom you do not know. He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry, and the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. And with many other words he exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

23. THE BAPTISM OF YESHUA

Matthew 3 : 13 – 17 ; Mark 1 : 9 – 11 ; Luke 3 : 21 – 22

Then Yeshua came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Yeshua answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented, and Yeshua was baptized by John in the Jordan.

And when Yeshua came up out of the water, and was praying, straightaway he saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit of God descending in bodily form like a dove and alighting upon him. And a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." And the voice spoke also to the crowd, saying , "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

24. JOHN IDENTIFIES YESHUA AS THE LAMB OF GOD

John 1 : 29 – 34

The next day John saw Yeshua coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is the one of whom I said, ‘After me there comes a man who ranks before me, because he existed before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah ; but it was for this that I came baptizing with water, so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

And John declared, “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained upon him. I would not have known who he was; but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen this, and I testify that this is the Son of God."

25. THE TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS

Matthew 4 : 1 – 11 ; Mark 1 : 12 – 13 ; Luke 4 : 1 – 13

Then Yeshua, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And He was there forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts. And He ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, He was hungry. Then the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Yeshua answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will give his angels charge over thee, to protect thee,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” But Yeshua said to him, “It is also written, ‘Thou shalt not test the Lord thy God.’”

And then the devil took Yeshua up onto a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single glance, and the splendor of them; and he said to him, “To you I will give all the power and glory of these kingdoms, for it has been delivered to me, and I can give it to whom I will. Therefore if you will fall down and worship me, all this shall be yours.” But Yeshua said to him, “Get thee behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall you serve.’”

And when the devil had finished every temptation, he departed to wait for another opportunity, and angels came and ministered to Yeshua.

26. THE WORD COMES INTO THE WORLD

Luke 3 : 23 a; John 1 : 9 – 13

A nd so the true light that enlightens every man had come into the world. He was in the world, and the world had been made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own land, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

27. YESHUA FINDS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES

John 1 : 35 – 42

When the two disciples heard John say this, they followed after Yeshua. Yeshua turned, and saw them following him, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” And they said to him, “Rabbi”—which means Teacher—“where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” It was then about the tenth hour of the day. So the disciples went and saw where Yeshua was staying; and they remained with him that day.

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who had heard what John said and followed Yeshua. Afterwards Andrew hurried to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah"—which means the Christ. He brought Simon to Yeshua. Yeshua looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas"—which, when translated, is Peter.

28. YESHUA CALLS PHILIP AND NATHANIEL

John 1 : 43 – 51

The next day Yeshua decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip in turn found Nathaniel, and said to him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and the prophets also wrote—Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Yeshua saw Nathaniel coming toward him and said, “Behold, here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false!” “Where do you know me from?,” Nathaniel asked him. Yeshua answered, “I saw you when you were under the fig tree, before Philip called you.” And Nathaniel exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

Yeshua said, "You believe just because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than that." And he said, "I tell you truly, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God going up and coming down unto the Son of Man."

29. THE WEDDING AT CANA

John 2 : 1 – 11

On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Yeshua was there; and Yeshua and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, Yeshua’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” And Yeshua said to her, “ Good woman, does that need to concern us now? My hour has not yet come.” But his mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, of the kind used for the Jewish customs of ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Yeshua said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them up to the brim. Then he said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast;” and so they took it. The steward tasted the water, which had now become wine, and did not know where it came from, although the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then the steward called the bridegroom aside and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and afterwards, when the guests have drunk freely, the poorer wine; but you have kept the best wine until now.”

This, the first of the miraculous signs that confirmed his mission, Yeshua did at Cana in Galilee. He thereby revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

30. A FEW DAYS AT THE LAKESHORE

John 2 : 12

After this Yeshua went down to the town of Capernaum, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples.

There they stayed for a few days.

31. READING HEARTS IN JERUSALEM

John 2 : 13 , 23 – 25

But Yeshua did not entrust himself to them; because he knew all men. He needed no one to bear testimony to him about mankind, for he himself knew what was in each man.

32. YESHUA AND NICODEMUS

John 3 : 1 – 21

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Yeshua by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

Yeshua answered him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Yeshua answered, “I tell you truly, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound of it, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."

Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Yeshua answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you still do not understand these things? I tell you truly, we speak of what we actually know, and bear witness to what we have actually seen; but you people do not accept our testimony. If I have told you of earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? No one has ever ascended into heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, likewise must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. He who believes in the Son is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the reason for the condemnation: The light has come into the world, but men have long loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds have been evil. Every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

33. JOHN'S FINAL TESTIMONY

John 3 : 22 – 36

After this, Yeshua and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the countryside of Judea; and there he spent time with them and performed baptisms. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was ample water there. People continued to come to John and were baptized, for he had not yet been cast into prison.

Then a question arose between the disciples of John the Baptist and a certain observant Jew over a matter of ceremonial washing. So John’s disciples went to him and said, “Rabbi, the man who was with you beyond the Jordan—the one of whom you testified—now he is performing baptisms himself, and everyone is going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything unless it is given to him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegoom, who stands by and listens for him, is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; and I must become less.”

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks. But he who comes from heaven is above all else. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet so few accept his testimony. But the one who does accept it affirms that God is truthful. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who rejects the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God shall rest upon him.

34. JOHN REPROVES HEROD AND IS IMPRISONED

Matthew 14 : 3 – 5 ; Mark 6 : 17 – 20 ; Luke 3 : 19 – 20

S oon afterwards John the Baptist reproved Herod the tetrarch for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have thy brother's wife." He also rebuked Herod for all the other evil things that he had done.

F or this, Herod’s wife Herodias bore a grudge against John, and wanted to see him dead. But she could not act, for Herod was in awe of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When Herod heard John speak he was greatly troubled in his mind, and yet he enjoyed listening to him. Moreover, even when Herod wanted to put John to death, he feared the people, because they held John to be a prophet.

But to his other sins Herod now added this above all: he sent men who seized John, bound him, and shut him up in prison.

35. YESHUA HEARS OF JOHN'S ARREST

Matthew 4 : 12 ; Mark 1 : 14 a; John 4 : 1 – 3

S oon afterwards Yeshua heard that John had been arrested. And he learned that the Pharisees had become aware that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John—even though the fact was that Yeshua himself did not baptize, but only his disciples.

When the Lord learned of these things, he left Judea and set out back to Galilee.

36. THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA

John 4 : 4 – 44

T o get there he had to pass through Samaria. And so he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Yeshua, tired from the long journey, sat down beside the well. It was about midday.

Then a woman of Samaria came to draw water. Yeshua asked of her, “Give me something to drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Yeshua answered her, “If you only knew the gift that God puts before you, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would be asking him for the drink, and he would give you living water.” The woman said to him, “But Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep; where would you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his cattle?”

Yeshua said to her, “Every one who drinks of this water will become thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I give will become a spring of water welling up within him and bringing eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not thirst, nor have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Yeshua said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Yeshua said to her, “You are right when you say, ‘I have no husband.’ You have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. So explain to me: Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; why then do your people say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship?”

Yeshua said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming, and indeed is already here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for these are the kind of worshipers the Father desires. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming—he who is called the Christ—and when he comes, he will explain all things to us.” Yeshua said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Just then his disciples came back. They were surprised that he was talking with a woman, but none of them asked, “What do you want with her?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”

So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the town, and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” So they went out of the town and headed toward him.

Meanwhile his disciples were pleading with him, saying, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing of.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has someone brought him food?” Yeshua said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.

"Do you not say, ‘One must wait four months for the harvest’? But I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I have sent you to harvest a crop that you did not work for; others have labored, and now you can reap the benefits of their labor."

Many Samaritans from that town believed in Yeshua because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more came to believe because of his own words. They said to the woman, “It is no longer just because of your report that we believe, for now we have heard him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the savior of the world.”

After the two days Yeshua departed to Galilee. But he did not return directly to his childhood home in Nazareth , for he himself had remarked that a prophet is not honored in his own town.

IV. The Galilee Ministry

Teaching and Healing

37. RETURN TO GALILEE

Luke 4 : 14 – 15 ; John 4 : 45

When Yeshua returned to Galilee filled with the power of the Spirit, the Galileans made him welcome. They had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, for they too had been there.

Reports about him went out through all the countryside. And he began to teach in the synagogues, and was praised by everyone.

38. HEALING AN OFFICIAL'S SON

John 4 : 46 – 54

So Yeshua came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Yeshua had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Yeshua said to him, "Unless you people see signs and miracles you will never believe." The official pleaded, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Yeshua said to him, “Go home, your son will live.” The man believed this word that Yeshua spoke to him and started on his way.

As he was going down to Capernaum , his servants met him and reported that his son was going to live. So he asked them the time when his son had begun to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” Then the father realized that this was the time when Yeshua had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household became believers.

This was the second miracle that Yeshua performed, after coming from Judea to Galilee.

39. REJECTION AT NAZARETH

Luke 4 : 16 – 30

Later Yeshua went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and he went to the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath. He stood up to read; and the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll, and found the place where it was written,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor.

He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,

to proclaim deliverance to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s mercy.

And he rolled up the scroll, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

Then he began to speak to them. “Today this scripture has been fulfilled by what you just heard me say.” And all spoke well of him, and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips.

B ut then they began to have doubts. “Is this not Joseph’s son?” they asked. And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal thyself!’ And you will say, ‘What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do the same things here in your own town.’” And he continued, “I tell you truly, no prophet is accepted in his own town. For I assure you, there were many needy widows in Israel in the days of the prophet Elijah, when no rain fell for three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of those but only to a foreign widow at Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha; yet none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

When they heard this, all the people in the synagogue were filled with fury. They rose up and drove Yeshua out of the city, and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might throw him down the cliff. But he passed through the midst of the crowd and went on his way.

40. STARTING THE MINISTRY IN CAPERNAUM

Matthew 4 : 13 – 17 ; Mark 1 : 14 b– 15

Leaving Nazareth, Yeshua went and made his home in the town of Capernaum, in Galilee, which was by the lake in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

In the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali—

on the road to the sea, across the Jordan,

in Galilee where so many foreigners live —

the people who lived in darkness

have seen a great light;

and for those who dwelt in the land and the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

From that time on, Yeshua began preaching the good news of God, and saying, “The time has come, and the kingdom of heaven is close at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."

41. THE MIRACULOUS CATCH OF FISH

Luke 5 : 1 – 10 a, 11 a

Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon Peter’s , Yeshua asked him to push off a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed such a great quantity of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to come and help them. And the partners came and filled up both the boats, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at Yeshua' knees, saying, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For he was astonished, as were all that were with him, at the number of fish they had taken. But Yeshua said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men. Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." And they brought their boats to land, forsook all, and followed Him.

42. CALLING JAMES AND JOHN

Matthew 4 : 18 – 22 ; Mark 1 : 16 – 20 ; Luke 5 : 10 b, 11 b

Continuing a little farther, Yeshua saw the two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat with their father, mending their nets. And he called them, and immediately they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, left everything, and followed him.

43. HEALING IN THE CAPERNAUM SYNAGOGUE

Matthew 8 : 14 – 17 ; Mark 1 : 21 – 34 ; Luke 4 : 31 – 41

In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by a demon, an unclean spirit; and he suddenly cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! What business do you have with us, Yeshua of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Yeshua rebuked him, saying, “Hold thy peace, and come out of him.” And when the demon had thrown the man down before them all, convulsing him and giving a loud scream, he came out of the man, without having done him any harm.

The people were all amazed, so that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching! With real authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him and depart.” And at once news about Yeshua began to spread through all the region of Galilee.

After they left the synagogue they went to the house of Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John accompanied them. Now Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a high fever, and so they immediately told Yeshua about her and asked him to help her. Yeshua came and stood over her, rebuked the fever, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and at once she rose and served them.

That evening, after sundown, the people brought to him all who were sick with various diseases or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered about the door. Yeshua laid his hands on every one of the invalids and healed them. He cast out the spirits with a word, and demons came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked the demons, and would not permit them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."

44. YESHUA PREACHES THROUGHOUT GALILEE

Matthew 4 : 23 – 25 ; Mark 1 : 35 – 39 ; Luke 4 : 42 – 44

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Yeshua rose and went out to a secluded place, and there he prayed.

Later Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him they said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” And the people came to Yeshua, and would have prevented him from leaving them; but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; because that is why I was sent. So let us go on to the next towns.”

Then he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people, and casting out demons.

So his fame spread through all Syria, and the people brought him all the sick, those suffering from various diseases and pains, the demon-possessed, epileptics, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. And great crowds followed him—people from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea, and from the lands beyond the Jordan.

45. CLEANSING A LEPER

Matthew 8 : 2 – 4 ; Mark 1 : 40 – 45 ; Luke 5 : 12 – 16

While Yeshua was in one of the towns, a man full of leprosy came up; and when he saw Yeshua he fell to his knees and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

And being moved with compassion, Yeshua stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be clean.” Immediately the leprosy left the man, and he was clean.

Yeshua sent him away at once with a stern warning: “See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and give for your cleansing the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony that you are cured."

But the man went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that the report about Yeshua went abroad all the more; and great crowds gathered from every quarter to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.

After that, Yeshua could no longer openly enter a town. So he would withdraw to the wilderness and pray.

46. THE MAN ON THE PALLET AND A CHARGE OF BLASPHEMY

Matthew 9 : 1 – 8 ; Mark 2 : 1 – 12 ; Luke 5 : 17 – 2 6

After some days Yeshua got into a boat, crossed over the lake , and came to his own town of Capernaum. The people heard that he had come home, and so many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door. Yeshua was preaching the word to them; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

There were also scribes, Pharisees, and teachers of religious law sitting by, who had come from every town in Galilee, and from Judea and Jerusalem.

And some men came, bringing a paralyzed man to Yeshua on a pallet carried by four of them. They sought to bring the man in and lay him before Yeshua, but finding no way to get in, because of the crowd, they went up and removed part of the roof above Yeshua. And when they had made an opening through the tiles, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man lay, into the midst of the crowd before him.

When Yeshua saw their faith he said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes and Pharisees sitting there began to question this, saying to themselves, “Who is this man, and why does he speak this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

And immediately Yeshua, perceiving in his spirit that this is what they were thinking within themselves, said to them, “Why do you have evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your pallet, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” And he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, and take up your pallet, and go home.” Immediately the man stood up before them all, took up that which he had been lying on, and went home praising God.

When the crowds saw this, they were amazed and filled with awe, and they glorified God who had given such authority to men, saying, “We have seen astonishing things today. We have never seen anything like this!”

47. MATTHEW BECOMES A DISCIPLE

Matthew 9 : 9 ; Mark 2 : 13 – 14 ; Luke 5 : 27 – 28

Then Yeshua went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.

After this, as he continued on his way, he saw a tax-gatherer named Matthew Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tollhouse, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew rose, left everything, and followed him.

48. YESHUA'S MISSION IS TO SINNERS

Matthew 9 : 10 – 13 ; Mark 2 : 15 – 17 ; Luke 5 : 29 – 32

Later Matthew Levi held a great banquet for Yeshua at his house, and many collaborating tax-gatherers and other sinners came and sat with Yeshua and his disciples; for there were many such among his followers. And when the Pharisees and the scribes who belonged to their sect saw this, they complained to his disciples, asking, “Why does your master eat and drink with tax-gatherers and sinners?”

When Yeshua heard this he answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Go and learn what this scripture means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifices.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

49. LESS NEED FOR RITUAL FASTING

Matthew 9 : 14 – 17 ; Mark 2 : 18 – 22 ; Luke 5 : 33 – 39

One day the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist were fasting, and John’s disciples came to Yeshua and asked, “Why do we and the disciples of the Pharisees often fast and pray, but your disciples continue to eat and drink?”

And Yeshua said to them, “Can you make wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot mourn. But the time will come when the bridegoom is taken away from them, and then they shall fast.”

He also told them a parable: “No one tears a patch of unshrunk cloth from a new garment and sews it upon an old garment. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the new piece will pull away from the old garment, and a worse tear will be made. And the piece from the new garment will not match the old.

"And no one puts new wine into old bottles or old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the wineskins and the wine will spill out, and the wineskins will be ruined. New wine must be put into new wineskins, and then both are preserved. But no one who has become accustomed to drinking old wine immediately desires the new, for he says, ‘The old is perfectly good.'"

50. THE POOL OF BETHESDA

John 5 : 1 – 18

After this there came a festival day of the Jews, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.

Now in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate there is a pool, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, and around which there are five covered porticos. In these lay a multitude of invalids—the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed—and they waited for the moving of the waters. For from time to time an angel would go down into the pool and stir up the water. Whoever stepped first into the pool after each such troubling of the waters would be cured of whatever disease he had.

One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Yeshua saw him lying there and learned that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Would you like to get well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am trying to get there another steps in before me.” Yeshua said to him, “Stand up, take up your pallet, and walk.” At once the man was healed, and took up his pallet and walked.

But that day was the sabbath. So the religious leaders among the Jews said to the man who had been cured, “It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet this day.” But he answered them, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is this person who told you to take it up and walk?” But the man who had been healed did not know who it had been, for Yeshua had slipped away into the crowd there.

Afterward, Yeshua found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well again! Sin no more, so that nothing worse may come upon you.” The man went away and told the authorities that it was Yeshua who had healed him. Therefore they began to persecute Yeshua, because he did these things on the sabbath.

But Yeshua answered them, “My Father is always at work, even until this very day, and I too am working.” And this was why the Jewish leaders sought all the more to find a way to destroy him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his father, making himself equal with God.

51. THE SON OF GOD

John 5 : 19 – 47

Yeshua explained to the temple leaders, “I tell you truly, the Son can do nothing by himself, but does only what he sees the Father doing; because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show the Son even greater works to do than this, so that you will be astonished. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he chooses.

“The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. I tell you truly, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me, he has everlasting life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you truly, the hour is coming, and has now arrived, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who respond to it will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so too he has granted the Son to have life in himself; and has also given him authority to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation. By myself I can do nothing. As I hear my Father , I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to follow not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

“If I were to testify about myself, my testimony would not be sufficient. But there is another who testifies about me, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

“You sent to John the Baptist, and he has borne witness to the truth. Now, I do not depend on human testimony; but I speak of this so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a little while you were willing to rejoice in his light.

“But the testimony supporting me is greater than that of John. The works which the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You diligently study the scriptures, because you think that through them you will have eternal life. These are the very scriptures that testify about me, and yet you will not come to me to have life.

“I do not need praise from men. But I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if another comes in his own name, him you will accept. How can you believe, when you accept honors from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the honor that comes from the only God?

“Do not think that I will be the one to accuse you before the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you place your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

52. FOLLOWERS FROM MANY LANDS

Matthew 12 : 1 5 – 21 ; Mark 3 : 7 – 12 ; Luke 6 : 17 b

Aware of the hostility of the Jerusalem leadership , Yeshua and his disciples withdrew from there to the Sea of Galilee, and a great multitude from Galilee followed, and he healed all their sick. When they heard all that he was doing, many people also came to Yeshua from all Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.

And because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him, lest the people should crush him; for he had healed many, and now all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits beheld Yeshua, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

But he gave strict orders to the spirits and to the crowds not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

Behold my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love, with whom my soul is pleased;

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

He will not quarrel or cry out;

no one will hear him shouting in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

until he has led justice to victory.

And in his name all the nations shall put their hope.

53. CALLING THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Matthew 10 : 1 – 4 ; Mark 3 : 13 – 19 a; Luke 6 : 12 – 1 6

One day Yeshua went up on a mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. When morning came, he called his disciples, and they came to him, and he chose from them twelve whom he desired, whom he named apostles. They were to accompany him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message. He gave them authority to cast out demons, and to heal all manner of disease and infirmity.

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, to whom he gave the name of Boanerges, that is, the sons of thunder; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-gatherer; James the son of Alphaeus; Judas Thaddeus from the family of James; Simon who was called the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

54. PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT SERMON

Matthew 5 : 1 – 2 ; Luke 6 : 17 a, 17 c– 20 a

Yeshua then came down with the apostles and stood on a level place, surrounded by a crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from many lands , who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those who were troubled by evil spirits were cured; and all the crowd sought to touch him, for power radiated out from him and healed them all.

Seeing the crowds, Yeshua went up on the mountainside and sat down, and his disciples gathered around him. Then he lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and opened his mouth and taught them, and his voice also carried to the crowd below .

55. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Matthew 5 : 3 — 7 : 29 ; Luke 6 : 20 b– 38 , 6 : 41 — 7 : 1 a, 11 : 2 b– 4 , 3 3 – 36 ; 12 : 22 – 30 , 58 – 59

The Beatitudes

“Blessed are the poor and modest, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be filled.

Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and falsely say all manner of evil against you for my sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward in heaven is great; for so their fathers persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The task of the righteous

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and then put it away, or hide it under a bushel, but instead they put it on a lampstand, where it gives light to all that are in the house, so that those who enter may see the light. In the same way, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Rules of conduct interpreted

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one letter, not a jot, will pass from the law until everything has been accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes even the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches these commandments shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Thou shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, whoever insults his brother as empty-headed will be liable to the council, and whoever curses, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fires of hell. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and be on your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

“Try to come to terms quickly with your adversary, while you are still on your way to court with him, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you truly, you will never get out of there until you have paid to the uttermost penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it from you; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unfaithfulness, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old time, ‘Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shall perform unto the Lord thy oaths.’ But I say to you, Swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this is born of evil.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Resist not evil. If any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also; and if any one wants to sue you to take your shirt, let him have your coat as well; and if any one forces you to assist him for one mile, go with him two miles. Give to every one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. If someone takes what belongs to you, do not insist on getting it back.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say to you that hear me, Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you, so that you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Do not even sinners and tax-gatherers do the same? And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

"And if you are courteous only to your brethren, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do the same? And if you lend only to those from whom you can expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much in return.

"But love your enemies, and do good to them, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the children of the Most High; for he is kind even to the ungrateful and the selfish.

"Be perfect, therefore, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Simplicity in religious observance: the Lord’s Prayer

"Be careful not to practice your piety in front of men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, that will be their only reward. When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Thus your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees even what is done in secret will reward you.

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, so that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, that will be their only reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room and shut the door and pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

"And in praying do not endlessly repeat empty phrases as the heathen do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, even before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory

for ever and ever. Amen.

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not be of a somber countenance, like the hypocrites, for they neglect their appearance to show men they are fasting. Truly, I say to you, that will be their only reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be seen by others but only by your Father who is unseen; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Spiritual values are the most important

"Woe to you who are rich,

for you have already had your comfort.

Woe to you that are well fed now,

for you shall go hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,

for you shall mourn and weep.

And woe to you when all men speak well of you,

for so their fathers treated the false prophets.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light within you be darkness. For if the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! But if your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when the bright shining of a lamp shall give you light.

"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, about what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

"Consider the ravens, and the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap, nor do they gather the harvest into storehouse or barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Yet which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And if you are not able to do even so small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

"And why be anxious about clothing? Behold the lilies of the field; consider how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is cast into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

"Do not be of anxious mind, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For all the nations of the world are eager for these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you have need of them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you as well.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient unto each day are the troubles thereof.

Do not judge

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged; for by the rule you apply to others you will be judged yourself. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure—pressed down, shaken together, running over—will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive in return.

"And why do you see the speck of sawdust that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the whole chip of wood that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when all the while there is a chip in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the chip out of your eye, and then you will see well enough to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Seek out the godly life: the Golden Rule

"Do not give to dogs that which is holy; and do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

"Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened.

"Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?

"So in all things whatsoever, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this sums up all of the law and the prophets.

Flee from evil

"Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it. But strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few there are that find it.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

"You will recognize them by their fruits, for every tree is known by its own fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Every sound tree bears good fruit, but the rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.

“The good man out of the good treasure in his heart brings forth good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure in his heart brings forth evil. For it is from the contents of the heart that the mouth speaks.

"Why do you call me Lord and not do what I tell you? Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who truly does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ And then I will declare before all the world, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you breakers of God’s law!’

"Every one who comes to me and hears my words and follows them, I will tell you what he is like: he is like the wise man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon the rock. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, for it was founded upon a rock.

"But he who hears these words of mine and does not follow them is like the foolish man, who built his house upon the sand without a foundation. The rain fell, and the winds blew, and the floods came, and the torrent struck that house, and immediately it fell; and great was the fall of it.”

When Yeshua finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had real authority, and not as their scribes.

V. The Galilee Ministry

Building a Movement

56. THE GENTILE CENTURION BELIEVES

Matthew 8 : 1 , 5 – 13 ; Luke 7 : 1 b– 10

After Yeshua came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him, and he returned to Capernaum.

Now a centurion there had a servant whom he valued highly, who was sick and ready to die. When he heard about Yeshua, he sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal this servant. And when the elders came to Yeshua, they begged him earnestly, saying, “The centurion deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our people, and he built us our synagogue. And his servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress.”

Yeshua said, “I will come and heal him;” and he went with them.

When Yeshua was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; nor do I presume to come to you.”

B ut Yeshua went on to the house, and when he arrived the centurion met him outside and said to him, "Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am in a chain of command, and I know that words with authority bring results . I have soldiers under me; and I say to one man, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Yeshua heard this he was amazed, and turned and said to the crowd that followed him, “I tell you truly, I have not found such great faith, not with anyone in Israel. I tell you, many will come from east and west and take their places at the banquet table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But many Israelites , the children of the kingdom, will be cast outside, into the outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Yeshua said to the centurion, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And when the man and his messengers returned to the house, they found that the servant had been healed as of that very moment.

57. A WIDOW'S SON RAISED AT NAIN

Luke 7 : 11 – 17

Soon after this Yeshua went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, he saw that a man who had died was being carried out. This man was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a crowd from the town was with her.

When the Lord saw the widow, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And he went over and touched the bier, and those who carried it stood still. Then he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Yeshua gave him back to his mother.

Fear seized all the people around; and they praised God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this news about Yeshua went out through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

58. A LAST QUESTION FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST

Matthew 11 : 2 – 6 ; Luke 7 : 18 – 23

John’s disciples visited him in prison and told him about the deeds that the Christ was performing. So John summoned two of the disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we await another?” And when the men reached Yeshua, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we await another?’”

At that time Yeshua was curing many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and bestowing sight on many that were blind. So he answered the messengers, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard here: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the good news is preached to the poor. And blessed is he who can accept me for what I am!”

59. YESHUA PRAISES JOHN AND CLAIMS HIS MANTLE

Matthew 11 : 7 – 19 ; Luke 7 : 24 – 35 , 16 : 16 – 17

When the messengers from John had departed, Yeshua began to speak to the crowds about him: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, then what did you go to see? A man clothed in soft garments? No, those who are gloriously appareled and live in luxury are to be found in kings’ courts. So what then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. This is the one of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who shall prepare thy way before thee.’

“I tell you truly, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least one in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Before John came, all the prophets and the law were looking to the future. Since then, from the days of John the Baptist until now the good news has been preached, and the kingdom of heaven has been strongly advancing, and determined people have been claiming their places in it.

T hese new opportunities do not mean that the law no longer governs our conduct. It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one jot of the law to become void. But if you are willing to accept my words, John actually is Elijah, the one whom the prophets said would come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

When they heard Yeshua’ words, all the people, even the tax-gatherers, agreed that God’s ways were just, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for themselves, for they had not been baptized by John.

Then Yeshua said, “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children playing in the marketplace and complaining to one another,

We played the flute for you, but you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, but you did not weep.

“For John the Baptist came eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!’ Yet true wisdom is shown to be right by all her different children.”

60. INVITING THE WEARY TO REST

Matthew 11 : 28 – 30

I n those days Yeshua also said , “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon your shoulders, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

61. THE PENITENT WOMAN

Luke 7 : 36 – 50

One of the Pharisees had invited Yeshua to dine with him, and he went to the man’s house and reclined at the table.

A woman of the city, who had lived a life of sin, learned that Yeshua was eating at the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster flask of ointment and stood behind him at his feet, weeping. She began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited Yeshua saw all this, he said to himself, “If this man were truly a prophet, he would know what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

Then Yeshua answered his thoughts, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And Simon replied, “Teacher, say on.” Yeshua continued, “A certain moneylender had two debtors; one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave both of them their debts. Now tell me, which one will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And Yeshua said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house, and you gave me no water to wash my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has kissed my feet continuously. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she has been showing much love; while he who has been forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Then the other guests began to say to one another, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And Yeshua said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

62. MARY MAGDALENE AND OTHER WOMEN SUPPORT YESHUA'S MINISTRY

Luke 8 : 1 – 3

Soon afterward Yeshua set out again through cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve apostles were with him.

Also with him were certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out; and Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; and Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support the men out of their own means.

63. THE SABBATH IS MADE FOR MAN

Matthew 12 : 1 – 8 ; Mark 2 : 23 – 28 ; Luke 6 : 1 – 5

One sabbath Yeshua was going through the grainfields. As they walked along, his disciples became hungry and began to pluck some heads of grain, rubbing off the husks in their hands and eating the kernels. When some Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look, why are your disciples doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath?”

But Yeshua said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he and his companions were in need and hungry? He entered the house of God, in the days when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave some of it to his companions.

“Or have you not read in the law how on every sabbath the priests in the temple violate the sabbath, and yet are guiltless? And I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. So if you had known what these words mean—‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifices’—you would not have condemned the innocent.”

And he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; and so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

64. HEALING A HAND ON THE SABBATH

Matthew 12 : 9 – 14 ; Mark 3 : 1 – 6 ; Luke 6 : 6 – 11

On another sabbath, when Yeshua entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were looking for a reason to accuse Yeshua, and so they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?” And they watched him closely to see if he would do that thing.

But Yeshua knew their thoughts, and he said to them, “What man among you, if he has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath day, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? And of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.”

Then he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come up and stand before everyone.” The man rose and came forward. Then Yeshua said to the Pharisees, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath—to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.

He looked around at all of them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man stretched it out, and his hand was restored, as sound as the other.

But the Pharisees were filled with fury, and went out and discussed what they might do to Yeshua, and immediately began to conspire with the men around Herod about how to destroy him.

65. JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BEHEADED

Matthew 14 : 6 – 13 a; Mark 6 : 21 – 29

A round this time Herod’s wife, Herodias, found an opportunity to be revenged on John the Baptist .

On his birthday Herod gave a great feast for his officials and army officers and the leading men of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias danced before them, and she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he swore it to her: “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, even unto half my kingdom.”

And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And Herodias said, “The head of John the Baptist.” The daughter immediately hastened to the king and made her demand: “I want you to give me—at once—the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

Then the king deeply regretted his promise; but because of the oath made in public before his dinner guests he did not want to refuse her. So he called an executioner at once and commanded him to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought his head back on a platter. He gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.

When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. Then they went and told Yeshua. And when Yeshua heard the news, he got into a boat and withdrew to a secluded place to be alone.

66. RESISTANCE FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Matthew 12 : 22 – 23 , 46 – 50 ; Mark 3 : 19 b– 21 , 31 – 35 ; Luke 8 : 19 – 21 , 11 : 14

O ne day when Yeshua was home with his disciples , a crowd once again gathered, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his family and friends heard of this, they started over to take custody of Yeshua, for they said, “He is not in his right mind.”

Then a man who was demon-possessed, and blind and mute, was brought to Yeshua. Yeshua cast out a demon that was mute; and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and saw. All the people were amazed, and asked, “Might this possibly be the Son of David?"

While Yeshua was still speaking to the people about the healing , his mother and his brothers arrived, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. Standing outside, they sent a message in to him. A group was sitting around Yeshua; and someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are standing outside, asking to speak to you.”

But he replied to the man who had told him this, “Who is truly my mother, and who are my brothers?” Then he looked at the disciples sitting in a circle around him, and motioning toward them, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God, and follow it. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

67. DENYING ALLIANCE WITH BEELZEBUB

Matthew 12 : 24 – 45 ; Mark 3 : 22 – 30 ; Luke 11 : 15 – 32 , 12 : 10

When the Pharisees and the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem saw the mute man cured and heard the crowd praise Yeshua, they said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! It is only with the help of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." And others, to try him, sought from him a sign from heaven.

Knowing their thoughts, Yeshua called them to him, and said to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom or a city is divided against itself, it cannot stand. Every kingdom or city divided against itself is brought to ruin. A house divided against itself cannot stand. And if Satan drives out Satan, he is fighting against himself, and how then can his kingdom stand? It must come to an end.

“You say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. But if I cast out demons with the help of Beelzebub, then with whose help do your own disciples cast them out? They will condemn you for making that argument . And if it is instead through the power of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come close to you.

“Consider, when a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. How can anyone enter such a man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? But then indeed he may plunder the house. When one still stronger than the strong man assails him and overcomes him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and distributes the plunder. And in just this way I have overcome Beelzebub.

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather the flock with me scatters it abroad. And I tell you truly, all sins will be forgiven the children of men, and all the blasphemies they utter. But blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. He is guilty of an eternal sin.” Yeshua said this because they kept saying, “He is in league with an evil spirit.”

“Either admit that the tree is good, and its fruit good; or say that the tree is bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. And the fruit of my actions has been good.

"You brood of vipers! How can you say anything good, when you are evil? For it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. The good man out of the good treasure in this heart brings forth good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure in his heart brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render an account for every careless word they have uttered; for by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then the spirit says, ‘I will return to the house from which I came.’ And when he comes he finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the final state of that man becomes worse than the first. So it shall also be with this evil generation.”

As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is your mother —the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” And Yeshua said, “Blessed, rather, are all those who hear the word of God and follow it!”

Then as the crowds were gathering around him, some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign to prove who you are.”

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a miraculous sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

"And just as Jonah became a miraculous sign to the people of Ninevah, so likewise the Son of Man will become a sign to this generation. On the day of judgment the men of Nineveh will arise, along with this generation, and they will condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here, and yet you do not repent . And on the day of judgment the Queen of the South will arise, along with this generation, and she will condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here, and yet you do not listen .”