On the Cross, Jesus executed a plan of salvation that requires personal willingness to do God’s will. Our Savior cautioned that spiritual growth can get trampled or crowded out, as illustrated in His parable of seed falling on different types of ground. Saint Paul explained that people have different gifts and the responsibility to use them with love as the reason. In a residence with a courtyard, a Pharisee could allow the public to listen to conversation with a notable guest. At the home of a disdainful Pharisee named Simon, a sinful woman

Scribes and Pharisees became enraged when Jesus cured a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath, even though they could have said not to do it when He asked. Jesus promised blessings for people dispirited, sad, hungry, or hated because of Him. Those who say, “Who needs Him?” turn away from His help! Doing to others what we would want done to us seems fair enough. When treated in unjust ways, we may still find it hard not to hope that wrongdoers will get what they deserve. Jesus provided a huge challenge in telling His followers to love enemies

In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read Scripture from the prophet Isaiah and proclaimed its fulfillment in Him. Beyond the simple, literal meaning of the passage, Jesus came to bring Good News to the poor in spirit, to free captives from sin, and to enable people to see God’s desires. At Peter’s house, the Lord cured his mother-in-law and others who came to the door. Nevertheless, tired and cranky after a night of fishing without a catch, Peter skeptically went back out at Jesus’ instruction. Two boatloads of fish proved humbling and mo

Somebody hailing from Nazareth did not fit the image of the One foretold by Moses and the prophets. Nathanael said as much but quickly changed his mind after Philip introduced him to the Lord. By comparing scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs filled with decay, Jesus criticized the rottenness of their hypocrisy. Jesus wants His followers to become faithful, responsible servants, ready to welcome the Master whenever He comes again. Sometimes we get busy or interrupted or worn out. How much inner resolve do we really have to respond to peop

Putting his share of goodness into the world seemed doable to a young man until Jesus said to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. He went away sad, and even the Disciples wondered if anyone could gain eternal life. Putting it another way, Peter wanted to know what the Apostles would get out of all that they had given up. In a parable, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast for a king’s son, but many didn’t love the king or the son and declined the invitation. In another parable, workers who had put in a

Halls of fame recognize greatness, but the Disciples wanted to know who ranked as the greatest in heaven. Jesus answered that anyone without the humility of a child will not even get in the door. Children readily accept help with the many things they cannot do on their own. Sharing God’s concern for the strayed, the faithful can forgive and correct a sinner, one to one or, if that fails, as a group. Mary’s relative Elizabeth called the Virgin blessed for believing that the Lord would fulfill His promises, and Mary responded that her soul pr

In the Old Testament, the hero in the Book of Daniel received God’s promise of freedom from Babylonian captivity and had visions of the Father, the Son of Man (Jesus), and heaven. Later, three of the Disciples witnessed the Transfiguration of the Lord, who appeared to them in heavenly glory. Begged by a Canaanite woman to cure her daughter, Jesus mimicked the wrong-hearted opinion that helping her would be like throwing food meant for children (Israelites) to the dogs (Gentiles). She persisted, and Jesus worked the miracle. Peter tried to wal