Study Desk

(For there were about 5,000 men.) And He said to His disciples, "Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each."

"For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].

"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself?

"For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the [heavenly] Father and of the holy angels.

And as these [men, Moses and Elijah] were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is delightful and good for us to be here; we should make three [sacred] tents; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not realizing what he was saying.

And a man from the crowd shouted for help, "Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he is my only child;

and He told them, "Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me [also] welcomes Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you [that is, the one who is genuinely humble—the one with a realistic self-view]—he is the one who is [truly] great."

But Jesus told him, "Do not stop him; for he who is not against you is for you."

Now when the time was approaching for Him to be taken up [to heaven], He was determined to go to Jerusalem [to fulfill His purpose].

He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went into a Samaritan village to make arrangements for Him;

for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And they journeyed on to another village.

But He said to him, "Allow the [spiritually] dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and spread the news about the kingdom of God."

But Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God."

He was saying to them, "The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

"Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house.

"I tell you, it will be more bearable in that day [of judgment] for Sodom than for that city.

"Woe (judgment is coming) to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented and changed their minds long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes [to show deep regret for sin].

"However, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

In that very hour He was overjoyed and rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and He said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things [relating to salvation] from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants [the childlike and untaught]. Yes, Father, for this way was [Your gracious will and choice, and was] well-pleasing in Your sight.

for I say to you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, and they did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."