As a military officer, a centurion knew that words can command. Admittedly unworthy to have Jesus under his roof, the centurion sent messengers to ask the Lord to just say the word that would heal a gravely ill slave. No one even had to ask for the Lord’s help when He came upon a widow whose son had just died. Jesus cured the slave and raised the widow’s son. When Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee, came to Jesus under the cover of night to learn from Him, the Lord said that God sent His Son to save the world. By comparing God’s Word to seed s

Proclaiming blessed hope for people discouraged, hungry, or distraught, the Lord wants people to build upon His words through their actions. Scribes and Pharisees stayed continually on the lookout for what Jesus would do. For instance, when a man with a withered hand appeared in the synagogue, would the Lord cure him on the Sabbath? No one answered when Jesus asked if the law forbade doing something good that day, and our Lord readily worked the miracle. Before choosing the Twelve, Jesus spent a night in prayer. In a parable, He compared a spli

Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law and others who came to the house in need of healing. Townsfolk wanted the Lord to stay, but He went to proclaim the Kingdom of God in other places, too. Peter still had his doubts when the Lord said to go back out for a catch after a wholly unsuccessful night out fishing. Two boatloads of fish later, Peter admitted his unworthiness but was all in when he left everything to follow Jesus. Pharisees showed their disdain when the Lord allowed His followers some leeway in observing fasts and the Sabbath. By way of

Scribes and Pharisees focused on rituals. Jesus compared their ideas on spiritual cleanliness to cups scrubbed on the outside but filled and sullied with self-indulgence inside. Although skeptical that Philip and others had found the Messiah, Nathanael realized his error and called Jesus the Son of God. The Lord told parables about arrivals and expectations. Ten bridesmaids waited for the groom to escort them to the wedding celebration. Five had to leave to buy more lamp oil and got locked out of the reception. Among three servants entrusted to

Saint Peter pointed out that the Disciples had given up a lot, and Jesus said they would receive a hundred times more. The Lord then told a couple of parables. In one, temporary workers griped after putting in a long day because they received no more pay than those who only had the opportunity to work for an hour. Another tale described invited guests refusing to take the time to attend a wedding feast for the king’s son. Among people then invited off the streets, one didn’t bother to put on a wedding garment (a robe that a king would have

Children depend on their parents to love, forgive, and provide for them. Jesus noticed the reluctance of adults to humbly acknowledge dependence on our heavenly Father. Even the faithful sometimes go astray, but the Lord never hesitates to bring a lost sheep back into the fold. The Pharisees used Mosaic law on marriage to challenge Jesus, who taught His followers not to separate what God has joined. We might want to draw the line on how much or how many times we will forgive. When Peter suggested seven times as a cutoff, Jesus said to go for se

After multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed thousands of people, Jesus gave Himself some prayer time by dismissing the crowd and sending the Disciples ahead of Him by boat. Walking across a turbulent sea to catch up with them later, Jesus came to the rescue when Peter tried to join Him on the water but started to sink. A Canaanite woman had faith enough to put differences in beliefs aside and plead with Jesus to cure her daughter, and the Lord complied. Pharisees and scribes preferred sticking to the letter of the law and asked Jesus why