Study Desk

He went all over the area around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins.

As it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet: "This is a voice of one who calls out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord. Make the road straight for him.

Do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives. Don't begin to say to yourselves, ‘Abraham is our father.' I tell you that God could make children for Abraham from these rocks.

Since the people were hoping for the Christ to come, they wondered if John might be the one.

where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days. Jesus ate nothing during that time, and when those days were ended, he was very hungry.

But I tell you the truth, there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah. It did not rain in Israel for three and one-half years, and there was no food anywhere in the whole country.

At daybreak, Jesus went to a lonely place, but the people looked for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will fish for people."

Then Jesus said, "Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and offer a gift for your healing, as Moses commanded. This will show the people what I have done."

Then Levi gave a big dinner for Jesus at his house. Many tax collectors and other people were eating there, too.

But the Pharisees and the men who taught the law for the Pharisees began to complain to Jesus' followers, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

They said to Jesus, "John's followers often fast for a certain time and pray, just as the Pharisees do. But your followers eat and drink all the time."

He went into God's house and took and ate the holy bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he gave some to the people who were with him."

"But how terrible it will be for you who are rich, because you have had your easy life.

How terrible it will be for you who are full now, because you will be hungry. How terrible it will be for you who are laughing now, because you will be sad and cry.

bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you.

Give to everyone who asks you, and when someone takes something that is yours, don't ask for it back.

When the Lord saw her, he felt very sorry for her and said, "Don't cry."

John's followers told him about all these things. He called for two of his followers

and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?"