When a determined group of men lowered a paralyzed man through the roof to bring him close to the Lord, Jesus rewarded their faith by healing the man spiritually and physically. The Virgin Mary responded in faith to the angel Gabriel’s message that she would give birth to the Son of God. Time went on, and John the Baptist lived and died in a way that prepared people to believe in the Lord as Jesus took every step on His way of bringing salvation to sinners. When we wonder what more God has in mind for us, do we open ourselves to His plan, no

When a centurion described the suffering of a paralyzed servant, Jesus agreed to come and cure him. The centurion, admittedly unworthy to have the Lord under his roof, believed that Jesus just had to say the word. The Lord did not come to solve all the world’s problems, leaving plenty of room for His followers to follow up. Anyone who heard but failed to act on His words might as well build a house on sand instead of stone. Jesus came to provide the foundation for what He wants us to do. When we become paralyzed by doubt, fear, or ambivalence

Two small coins placed by a widow into the temple treasury hardly seemed worth a glance, but the Lord noticed! When Jesus said that a majestic temple would one day become a pile of rubble, people wanted to know what signs would warn them to take notice of the coming destruction. They had no idea that He meant the temple of His body. Besides, the timing didn’t matter. Our loving Savior taught His followers not to let everyday anxieties wear them down. When little things we could do hardly seem worth the effort, have we become too drowsy to not

In a church one morning, a preschooler left the pew to sit right in front of the pulpit, seeming to hang on every word of the Gospel in the way of people captivated by Jesus’ preaching. Back in Jesus’ time on Earth, a blind man’s shouting to get His attention or the sight of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Him may have seemed childish to bystanders, and yet the Lord responded to both. In a parable of servants given gold coins to use in the master’s absence, one servant hid the coin in fear of losing it. When we see ways to get closer t

Children on a road trip often ask repeatedly, “Are we there yet?” In Jesus’ day, adults wanted to know when they would get to see the Kingdom of God. When some Pharisees asked, Jesus taught that we already live in God’s Kingdom with the people among us here. Do we pray persistently, forgive readily, return to give thanks when we realize that the Lord has answered our prayers of supplication, and look forward with hope because Jesus will come in His glorious Light on a day that starts out as quite ordinary?

Jesus suggested that a Pharisee try a guest list for dinner with only people who could not repay the favor. In a parable, invited guests made excuses not to attend a feast. Asking anyone off the street still left room, and the host told his servant to make more people attend. Jesus saw beyond appearances. He also understood why someone would celebrate finding a lost sheep or a lost coin. He knew why a prudent person would figure the cost before building a tower. His points had nothing to do with economics. When we experience loss or disappointm

Jesus encouraged humility in the parable of a wedding guest asked to move from his chosen place of honor when someone more important arrived. Traveling toward Jerusalem, the Lord taught that people would come from all directions to the heavenly banquet. Some of the last people we expect might have places up front. Describing His return in glory, the Lord used the image of a shepherd separating sheep and goats. People would wonder when they ever had the chance to welcome or visit Him, provide Him with food or clothing, or care for Him in illness