Study Desk

He looked at His followers and said, "Those of you who are poor are happy, because the holy nation of God is yours.

Everyone was afraid and they gave thanks to God. They said, "A great Man Who speaks for God has come among us! God has cared for His people!"

But what did you go to see? One who speaks for God? Yes, I tell you, he is more than one who speaks for God.

"I tell you, of those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. The least in the holy nation of God is greater than he."

All the people who heard Jesus and those who gathered taxes showed they knew God was right and were baptized by John.

But the proud religious law-keepers and the men who knew the Law would not listen. They would not be baptized by John and they did not receive what God had for them.

The proud religious law-keeper who had asked Jesus to eat with him saw this. He said to himself, "If this Man were One Who speaks for God, He would know who and what kind of a woman put her hands on Him. She is a sinner."

After this Jesus went to all the cities and towns preaching and telling the Good News about the holy nation of God. The twelve followers were with Him.

Jesus said, "You were given the secrets about the holy nation of God. Others are told picture-stories. As they look, they do not see. As they hear, they do not understand.

"This is what the picture-story means. The seed is the Word of God.

Jesus said to them, "My mother and brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it."

"Go back to your house and tell everything God has done for you." He went back and told all the people of the city what great things Jesus had done for him.

He sent them to preach about the holy nation of God and to heal the sick.

When the people knew where Jesus was, they followed Him. Jesus was happy to see them and talked to them about the holy nation of God. He healed all who were sick.

Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said, "You are the Christ of God."

I tell you the truth, some standing here will not die until they see the holy nation of God."

They were all surprised at the great power of God. They all were thinking about the special things Jesus had done. And Jesus said to His followers,

Jesus said to him, "Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You go and preach about the holy nation of God."

Jesus said to him, "Anyone who puts his hand on a plow and looks back at the things behind is of no use in the holy nation of God."

Heal the sick. Say to them, ‘The holy nation of God is near.'