Study Desk

People use their little statues and magic to learn what will happen in the future, but that is useless. They see visions and tell about their dreams, but it is nothing but worthless lies. So the people are like sheep wandering here and there crying for help, but there is no shepherd to lead them.

They were very happy and excited to see the star.

"You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden.

In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

"Be careful! When you do something good, don't do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"When you give to those who are poor, don't announce that you are giving. Don't be like the hypocrites. When they are in the synagogues and on the streets, they blow trumpets before they give so that people will see them. They want everyone to praise them. The truth is, that's all the reward they will get.

Your giving should be done in private. Your Father can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

"When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that's all the reward they will get.

But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

"When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad like the hypocrites. They put a look of suffering on their faces so that people will see they are fasting. The truth is, that's all the reward they will get.

Then no one will know you are fasting, except your Father, who is with you even in private. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

"And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don't work or make clothes for themselves.

You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend's eye.

Then the whole town went out to see Jesus. When the people saw him, they begged him to leave their area.

The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.' There's no proof that it really happened. But what if I say to the man, ‘Stand up and walk'? Then you will be able to see that I really have this power." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Stand up. Take your mat and go home."

Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?" They answered, "Yes, Lord, we believe."

Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "You believe that I can make you see again, so it will happen."

Then the men were able to see. Jesus gave them a strong warning. He said, "Don't tell anyone about this."

The blind can see. The crippled can walk. People with leprosy are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are brought back to life. And the Good News is being told to the poor.

When John's followers left, Jesus began talking to the people about John. He said, "What did you people go out to the desert to see? Someone who is weak, like a stem of grass blowing in the wind?