Study Desk

Think carefully about what you are hearing. God will know how much to give you by how much you understand now. But he will give you more than you deserve.

As Jesus was saying, "You evil spirit, come out of this man," the man shouted loudly, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you in God's name not to punish me!"

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish. He looked up to the sky and thanked God for the food. Then he broke the bread into pieces, which he gave to his followers to distribute to the people. Then he divided the two fish among everyone there.

Jesus answered, "You are all hypocrites. Isaiah was right when he wrote these words from God about you: ‘These people honor me with their words, but I am not really important to them.

Then he said, "You show great skill in avoiding the commands of God so that you can follow your own teachings!

But you teach that people can say to their father or mother, ‘I have something I could use to help you, but I will not use it for you. I will give it to God.'

So you are teaching that it is not important to do what God said. You think it is more important to follow those traditions you have, which you pass on to others. And you do many things like that."

He said, "Do you still have trouble understanding? Surely you know that nothing that enters the mouth from the outside can make people unacceptable to God.

These evil things come from inside a person. And these are the things that make people unacceptable to God."

Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said.

The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked him questions. They wanted to test him. So they asked him to do a miracle as a sign from God.

But Jesus turned and looked at his followers. Then he criticized Peter. He said to Peter, "Get away from me, Satan! You don't care about the same things God does. You care only about things that people think are important."

People today are so sinful. They have not been faithful to God. As you live among them, don't be ashamed of me and my teaching. If that happens, I will be ashamed of you when I come with the glory of my Father and the holy angels."

But when God made the world, ‘he made people male and female.'

God has joined them together, so no one should separate them."

Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? Only God is good.

Jesus looked at them and said, "That is something people cannot do, but God can. He can do anything."

But it is not for me to say who will sit at my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he chooses."

Some of them were walking ahead of Jesus. Others were walking behind him. Everyone shouted, "‘Praise Him!' ‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'

"God bless the kingdom of our father David. That kingdom is coming! Praise to God in heaven!"