In Jesus’ parable, an enemy went so far as to sow weeds in a wheat field. Good and bad mingle in the world. We can see reckless disregard of the dangers of sin. We encounter values different from our own. On the other hand, the lessons Jesus taught and grace gladly bestowed enable us to see the wisdom of ignoring a “word to the wise” that would contradict God’s Word. Scripture shows us that Jesus cast a wide net, drawing people to Him. Like a fisherman netting unpalatable fish among the prized catch, He continues to easily spot both hyp

Jesus told a parable of seed scattered on all kinds of ground to teach the importance of receptiveness to His Word. Scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign, and Jesus pointed out the prophet Jonah’s three days and nights in the belly of a whale before going forth to preach repentance among the hostile people of Nineveh. Likewise, the Son of Man would spend three days in the heart of the Earth before rising. The mother of James and John wanted Jesus’ assurance that her sons would sit at His left and right in heaven. They envisioned the royal

Townspeople sometimes refused to repent, even after seeing the miracles that Jesus worked. The Lord kept on inviting people to come to Him, and He traveled around to meet them. Blessedly, the heavenly Father reveals things to the childlike that escape people supposedly wise. For instance, Pharisees called it unlawful breaking of the Sabbath when the Disciples decided to pick and eat heads of grain while walking along. Jesus allowed the innocent snacking. The Lord taught that kindnesses to His Disciples—even something as small as offering a cu

After suffering for twelve years from hemorrhages, a woman believed that wellness would come if she touched Jesus’ cloak. Imagine her fear when He abruptly turned around at the mere touch. Jesus said to have courage, and she needed it! Until the Lord said that her faith had saved her, the woman had no idea what He would do. On the same day, Jesus rewarded an official’s faith by bringing his daughter back to life. After giving the Twelve authority to preach and heal in His name, Jesus sent them forth with the instruction not to pack even mon

Even with Jesus asleep in the boat, the Disciples panicked and woke Him as waves crashed over the hull in a gale. The Lord asked why they were terrified, answered for them by saying that they had little faith, and then calmed the storm. When questioned about why His followers didn’t fast like the Pharisees, Jesus responded with analogies to encourage a new outlook. No one uses old wineskins for new wine, because fermentation would burst skins already stretched to the limit. Likewise, patching old clothing with new, unshrunken fabric would pul

Zechariah had his doubts when an angel promised him a son, and he said so. He then lost the ability to speak until he named the baby John, as the angel had directed. Soldiers under a centurion’s command obeyed his orders, and the centurion believed that Jesus had the authority to cure his paralyzed servant by just saying the word. Admittedly unworthy of the favor, the centurion asked anyway. If Jesus wanted to heal a leper who came to Him, it would happen. The leper had no doubt. Jesus healed the servant and the leper. Sometimes, we want to p

Look for Jesus in His Father’s house. Pray without babbling, fast without gloominess, and give to the poor without showing off. Besides giving us advice, the Lord challenges His followers to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Objectively, we cannot do everything flawlessly. It’s perfectly fine with God if we do whatever good we can, with faith that He does the same. Why do we sometimes tell God certain steps we want Him to take, rather than trusting that He will always go the extra mile for us?