Study Desk

Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

Jesus replied, "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?

For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,' and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.'

But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.'

In this way, you say they don't need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.

Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'"

The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn't been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

"Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.'"

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."

Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.

"Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps.

I'll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord ! Praise God in highest heaven!"

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David." But the leaders were indignant.

"Which of the two obeyed his father?" They replied, "The first." Then Jesus explained his meaning: "I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.

I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.

They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don't play favorites.