Study Desk

Then Jesus said, "Whoever accepts this little child in my name accepts me. And whoever accepts me accepts the One who sent me, because whoever is least among you all is really the greatest."

John answered, "Master, we saw someone using your name to force demons out of people. We told him to stop, because he does not belong to our group."

But Jesus said to him, "Don't stop him, because whoever is not against you is for you."

But the people there would not welcome him, because he was set on going to Jerusalem.

But you should not be happy because the spirits obey you but because your names are written in heaven."

Then Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the people who are wise and smart. But you have shown them to those who are like little children. Yes, Father, this is what you really wanted.

Forgive us for our sins, because we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And do not cause us to be tempted.'"

On the Judgment Day the Queen of the South will stand up with the people who live now. She will show they are guilty, because she came from far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is here.

How terrible for you Pharisees, because you love to have the most important seats in the synagogues, and you love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces.

How terrible for you, because you are like hidden graves, which people walk on without knowing."

How terrible for you, because you build tombs for the prophets whom your ancestors killed!

So many thousands of people had gathered that they were stepping on each other. Jesus spoke first to his followers, saying, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, because they are hypocrites.

"Don't fear, little flock, because your Father wants to give you the kingdom.

They will be blessed when their master comes home, because he sees that they were watching for him. I tell you the truth, the master will dress himself to serve and tell the servants to sit at the table, and he will serve them.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time when you don't expect him!"

Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee?

The synagogue leader was angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, "There are six days when one has to work. So come to be healed on one of those days, and not on the Sabbath day."

"Try hard to enter through the narrow door, because many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able.

"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, don't take the most important seat, because someone more important than you may have been invited.

Then you will be blessed, because they have nothing and cannot pay you back. But you will be repaid when the good people rise from the dead."