Study Desk

Reaching out His hand and touching him, Jesus said, "I am willing; be cleansed!" And instantly the leprosy left him.

Then Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the Captain sent friends to Him with the message: "Sir, do not trouble to come. I am not worthy of having you come under my roof;

For I too am a man obedient to authority, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes; to another, `Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, `Do this or that,' and he does it."

John is the man about whom it is written, `See, I am sending My messenger before thy face, and he shall make ready thy way before thee.'

One day when He was praying by Himself the disciples were present; and He asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?"

"But you," He asked, "who do you say that I am?" "God's Anointed One," replied Peter.

Remember that I am sending you out as lambs into the midst of wolves.

"And he from indoors shall answer, "`Do not pester me. The door is now barred, and I am here in bed with my children. I cannot get up and give you bread.'

and he debated within himself, saying, "`What am I to do? for I have no place in which to store my crops.'

But I have a baptism to undergo; and how am I pent up till it is accomplished!

"Go," He replied, "and take this message to that fox: "`See, to-day and to-morrow I am driving out demons and effecting cures, and on the third day I finish my course.'

"A second pleaded, "`I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am on my way to try them. Pray hold me excused.'

"Another said, "`I am just married. It is impossible for me to come.'

"But on coming to himself he said, "`How many of my father's hired men have more bread than they want, while I here am dying of hunger!

"Then the steward said within himself, "`What am I to do? For my master is taking away the stewardship from me. I am not strong enough for field labour: to beg, I should be ashamed.

I see what to do, in order that when I am discharged from the stewardship they may give me a home in their own houses.'

So he cried aloud, and said, "`Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'

and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, `I am sorry,' you must forgive him."

The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: "`O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer.

"But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "`O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'