The Genealogy of JESUS CHRIST.

The account of the genealogy of JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF DAVID, THE SON OF ABRAHAM.

       Abraham was the father of Isaac,

       Isaac the father of Jacob,

       Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

       Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah,

              with Tamar being their mother.

       Perez was the father of Hezron,

       Hezron the father of Ram,

       Ram the father of Amminadab.

       Amminadab was the father of Nahshon,

       Nahshon the father of Salmon,

       Salmon the father of Boaz,

              with Rahab being his mother.

       Boaz was the father of Obed,

              whose mother was Ruth.

       Obed was the father of Jesse,

       and Jesse was the father of King David.

       David was the father of Solomon,

              whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

       Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,

       Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

       Abijah the father of Asa.

       Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

       Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

       Joram the father of Uzziah.

       Uzziah was the father of Jotham,

       Jotham the father of Ahaz,

       Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

       Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

       Manasseh the father of Amos,

       Amos the father of Josiah.

       Josiah was the father of Jechoniah

              and his brothers at the time of

              the deportation to Babylon.

       After the deportation to Babylon,

       Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,

       Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

       Zerubabbel the father of Abiud.

       Abiud was the father of Eliakim,

       Eliakim the father of Azor,

       Azor the father of Zadok.

       Zadok was the father of Achim,

       Achim the father of Eliud,

       Eliud the father of Eleazar.

       Eleazar was the father of Matthan,

       Matthan the father of Jacob.

       Jacob was the father of Joseph,

              the husband of Mary,

              who gave birth to JESUS

              who is called THE CHRIST.

Therefore, in total there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, another fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and another fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to THE CHRIST.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 1 - 17

The Birth of JESUS.

       The birth of JESUS CHRIST occurred in this way. When HIS mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came to live together, she was found to be with child through THE HOLY SPIRIT. Her husband Joseph was a just man and did not wish to expose her to the ordeal of public disgrace; therefore, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

       After he had decided to follow this course of action, an angel of THE LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to receive Mary into your home as your wife. For this child has been conceived in her womb through THE HOLY SPIRIT. She will give birth to a son, and you shall name HIM JESUS, for HE will save HIS people from their sins."

       All this took place in order to fulfill what THE LORD had announced through the prophet:

       "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son,

          and they shall name HIM Emmanuel," a name that means "GOD is with us."

       When Joseph rose from sleep, he did what the angel of THE LORD had commanded him. He took Mary into his home as his wife, but he engaged in no marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named JESUS.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 18 - 25

The Wise Men Render Homage to THE MESSIAH.

       After JESUS had been born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men traveled from the east and arrived in Jerusalem, inquiring, "Where is THE NEWBORN KING OF THE JEWS? We saw the rising of HIS star, and we have come to pay HIM homage."

       On hearing about their inquiry, King Herod was greatly troubled, as was true of the whole of Jerusalem. Therefore, he summoned all the chief priests and the scribes and questioned them about where THE CHRIST was to be born. They replied, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus has the prophet written:

       'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

          are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,

       for from you shall come a ruler

          who will shepherd MY people Israel.' "

       Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men, and he ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearance, after which he sent them on to Bethlehem, saying: "Go forth and search diligently for the child. When you have found HIM, bring me word, so that I can go and pay HIM homage."

       After receiving these instructions from the king, the wise men set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising proceeded ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with great joy, and when they entered the house they beheld the child with Mary HIS mother. Falling to their knees, they paid HIM homage. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered HIM gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another route.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 1 - 12

The Flight into Egypt.

       After the wise men had left, an angel of THE LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream and instructed him, "Arise, take the child and HIS mother, and flee to Egypt. Remain there until I tell you. Herod seeks the child to kill HIM." Therefore, he got up, took the child and HIS mother, and departed that night for Egypt, where they remained until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what THE LORD had spoken through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called MY SON."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 13 - 15

The Slaughter of the Innocent at Bethlehem.

       When Herod realized that the wise men had deceived him, he flew into a rage and issued an order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and the surrounding area who were two years old or less, in accordance with the information that he had obtained from the wise men. Thus were fulfilled the words that had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

       "A voice was heard in Ramah,

          lamenting and sobbing bitterly:

       Rachel weeping for her children,

          and refusing to be consoled,

          because they were no more."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 16 - 18

The Return to the Land of Israel.

       After the death of Herod, an angel of THE LORD appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Arise, take the child and HIS mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought to kill the child are dead." He got up, took the child and HIS mother, and returned to the land of Israel.

       But when Joseph learned that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod in Judea, he was afraid to go there. After he had been warned in a dream concerning this, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. He settled in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the Prophets might be fulfilled: "HE shall be called a Nazorean."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 19 - 23

John the Baptist Preaches and Baptizes.

In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea, preaching: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand." This was the man of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said:

       "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

       'Prepare the way of THE LORD,

          make his paths straight.' "

   John's clothing was made of camel's hair, with a leather loincloth around his waist, and his food consisted of locusts and wild honey. The people of Jerusalem and the whole of Judea and the entire region along the Jordan went out to him, and as they confessed their sins they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

       But when he observed many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Produce good fruit as proof of your repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves: 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that GOD is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

       "I baptize you with water for repentance, but THE ONE who is coming after me is more powerful than I am. I am not worthy to carry HIS sandals. HE will baptize you with THE HOLY SPIRIT and fire. HIS winnowing fan is in HIS hand. HE will clear HIS threshing floor and gather HIS wheat into HIS barn, but the chaff HE will burn with unquenchable fire."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 1 - 12

JESUS Is Baptized.

       Then JESUS arrived from Gailee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to dissuade HIM, saying, "Why do YOU come to me? I am the one who needs to be baptized by YOU." But JESUS said to him in reply, "For the present, let it be thus. It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all that righteousness demands." Then he acquiesced.

       After JESUS had been baptized, as HE came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened and HE beheld THE SPIRIT OF GOD descending like a dove and alighting on HIM. And a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is MY BELOVED SON, in whom I AM well pleased."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 13 - 17

JESUS Is Tempted by the Devil.

Then JESUS was led by THE SPIRIT into the desert to be tempted by the devil. HE fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which HE was famished.

       Then the tempter approached HIM and said, "If YOU are THE SON OF GOD, command these stones to be transformed into loaves of bread." JESUS answered, "As it is written:

       'Man does not live by bread alone,

          but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of GOD.' "

       Next the devil took HIM to the holy city and had HIM stand on the summit of the temple. Then he said to HIM, "If YOU are THE SON OF GOD, throw YOURSELF down. For it is written:

       'HE will command HIS angels concerning YOU,

          and with their hands they will raise YOU up

          lest YOU dash YOUR foot against a stone.' "

JESUS said to him, "It is also written:

       'You shall not put THE LORD your GOD to the test.' "

   Finally, the devil took HIM to an exceedingly high mountain and showed HIM all the kingdoms of the world in their splendor. Then he said to HIM, "All these will I give YOU if YOU kneel down and worship me." JESUS said to him in reply, "Depart from ME, Satan! It is written:

       'You shall worship THE LORD your GOD,

          and HIM alone shall you serve.' "

   Then the devil departed from HIM, and suddenly angels came and ministered to HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 1 - 11

JESUS Begins HIS Ministry in Galilee.

       When JESUS learned that John had been arrested, HE withdrew to Galilee. Departing from Nazareth, HE settled in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, in order that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

       "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

          the passageway to the sea, beyond the Jordan,

          Galilee of the Gentiles:

       The people who lived in darkness

          have seen a great light,

          and for those who dwell in a land darkened by the shadow of death

          light has dawned."

From that day forward JESUS began to proclaim the message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 12 - 17

JESUS Calls the First Disciples.

       As JESUS was walking by the Sea of Galilee, HE saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the water, for they were fishermen. HE said to them, "Come, follow ME, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately, they abandoned their nets and followed HIM.

       As HE proceeded farther, HE saw two more brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and HE called them. Immediately, they left their boat and their father and followed HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 18 - 22

JESUS Proclaims the Message and Heals the Sick.

       JESUS traveled all throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every type of disease and illness among the people. HIS reputation spread throughout Syria, and they brought to HIM all those who were sick, afflicted with various diseases, racked with pain, or possessed by demons, as well as those who were stricken with epilepsy or paralyzed, and HE healed them. Great throngs from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan, followed HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 23 - 25

The Beatitudes.

When JESUS saw the crowds, HE went up on the mountain. After HE was seated, HIS disciples gathered around HIM. Then HE began to teach them as follows:

       "Blessed are the poor in spirit,

          for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

       Blessed are those who mourn,

          for they will be comforted.

       Blessed are the meek,

          for they will inherit the earth.

       Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,

          for they will have their fill.

       Blessed are the merciful,

          for they will obtain mercy.

       Blessed are the pure of heart,

          for they will see GOD.

       Blessed are the peacemakers,

          for they will be called children of GOD.

       Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of justice,

          for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

       "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and utter all kinds of calumnies against you for MY sake. Rejoice and be glad, for you reward will be great in heaven. In the same manner, they persecuted the prophets who proceeded you.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 - 12

Salt of the Earth and Light of the World.

       "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can be done to make it salty once again? It is no longer good for anything, and thus it is cast out and trampled underfoot.

       "You are the light of the world. A city built upon a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor would someone light a lamp and then put it under a basket; rather, it is placed upon a lampstand so that it may afford light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine so that it can be seen by others; this will enable them to observe your good works and give praise to your FATHER in heaven.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 13 - 16

The Fulfillment of the Law.

       "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill them. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single letter, not even a tiny portion of a letter, will disappear from the Law until all things have been accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever observes these commandments and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, if your righteousness does not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 17 - 20

Anger.

       "You have heard that your ancestors were told: 'You shall not kill, and anyone who kills will be subject to judgment.' But I say this to you: Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever addresses his brother in an insulting way will answer for it before the Sanhedrin, and whoever calls his brother a fool will be liable to the fires of Gehenna.

       "Therefore, when offering your gift at the altar, if you should remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar and first go to be reconciled with your brother. Then return and offer your gift.

       "Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him. If you fail to do so, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge will put you in the custody of the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Believe the truth of what I tell you: you will not be given your freedom until you have paid your debt down to the last penny.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 21 - 26

Adultery.

       "You have heard that it was said of old: 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that anyone who looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is preferable for you to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is preferable for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 27 - 30

Divorce.

       "It has also been said: 'Whoever divorces his wife shall give her a certificate of dismissal.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except if the marriage was unlawful, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 31 & 32

Oaths.

       "Again, you have heard that our ancestors were told: 'Do not swear falsely, but fulfill the vows you have made to THE LORD.' But what I tell you is this: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, since it is GOD's throne, or by earth, since that is HIS footstool, or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of THE GREAT KING. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot turn one hair of it white or black. All you need to do is to say 'Yes' if you mean 'Yes' and 'No' if you mean 'No'. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 33 - 37

Retaliation.

       "You have heard that it was said: 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you: Offer no resistance to someone who is wicked. If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn and offer him the other cheek as well. If anyone wishes to sue you to gain possession of your tunic, give him your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him for a second mile. Give to anyone who begs from you, and do not turn your back on anyone who wishes to borrow from you.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 38 - 42

Love for Enemies.

       "You have heard that it was said: 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This will make you children of your HEAVENLY FATHER. For HE causes HIS sun to rise on evil people as well as on those who are good, and HIS rain falls on both the righteous and the wicked. If you love only those who love you, what reward will you receive? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brethren, what about that is so extraordinary? Even the pagans do as much.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 43 - 47

Perfection.

       "Therefore, strive to be perfect, just as your HEAVENLY FATHER is perfect.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSE 48

Giving Alms in Secret.

       "Beware of performing righteous deeds before others in order to impress them. If you do so, you will receive no reward from your FATHER in heaven. Therefore, whenever you give alms, do not trumpet your generosity, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets in order to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have already received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Your almsgiving must be done in secret. And your FATHER who sees everything that is done in secret will reward you.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 1 - 4

Praying in Secret.

       "Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may observe them doing so. Amen, I say to you, they have already received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your FATHER in secret. And your FATHER who sees everything that is done in secret will reward you.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 5 & 6

The Lord's Prayer.

       "When you pray do not go on babbling endlessly as the pagans do, for they believe that they are more likely to be heard because of their many words. Do not imitate them. Your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.

       "This is how you should pray:

       'Our FATHER in heaven,

          hallowed be YOUR name.

       YOUR kingdom come.

       YOUR will be done

          on earth as it is in heaven.

       Give us this day our daily bread.

       And forgive us our debts

          as we forgive our debtors.

       And do not lead us into temptation,

          but deliver us from the evil one.'

If you forgive others for the wrongs they have done, your heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your FATHER will not forgive your transgressions.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 7 - 15

Fasting in Secret.

       "Whenever you fast, do not assume a gloomy expression like the hypocrites who contort their faces so that others may realize that they are fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that the fact that you are fasting will not be obvious to others but only to your FATHER who is hidden. And your FATHER who sees everything that is done in secret will reward you.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 16 - 18

Treasures in Heaven.

       "Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where they will be destroyed by moth and rust and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up treasure for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart also be.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 19 - 21

The Lamp of the Body.

       "The eyes are the lamp of the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be filled with light. However, if your eyes are diseased, your whole body will be in darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great will that darkness be!

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 22 & 23

GOD and Money.

       "No one can serve two masters. For you will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both GOD and money.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSE 24

Seek First the Kingdom of GOD.

       "Therefore, heed MY words. Do not be concerned about your life and what you will have to eat or drink, or about your body and what you will wear. Surely life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

       "Gaze upon the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or store in barns, and yet your HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them. Are you not of far greater value than they? Can any of you through worrying add a single moment to your span of life?

       "And why are you concerned about what you are to wear? Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They neither labor nor spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his royal splendor was clothed like one of these. If GOD so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will HE not all the more clothe you, O you of little faith?

       "Therefore, stop being anxious about such things. Do not say: 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' These are things that are of concern to the Gentiles. Your HEAVENLY FATHER is fully aware of all your needs. Rather, seek the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

       "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 25 - 34

Do Not Judge.

"Do not judge, so that you in turn may not be judged. For you will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the measure that you use for others will be used to measure you.

       "Why do you take note of the splinter in your brother's eye but do not notice the wooden plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while all the time the wooden plank remains in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the wooden plank from your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly enough to remove the splinter from your brother's eye.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 1 - 5

Do Not Profane Sacred Things.

       "Do not give to dogs anything that is holy. And do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and then proceed to tear you to pieces.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSE 6

Ask, Seek, Knock.

       "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and those who seek will find, and to those who knock the door will be opened.

       "Is there anyone among you who would give a stone to his son if he asks for bread, or hand him a snake if he asks for a fish? If you then, despite your evil nature, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your FATHER in heaven give good things to those who ask HIM!

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 7 - 11

The Golden Rule of Love.

       "In everything, deal with others as you would like them to deal with you. This is the Law and the Prophets.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSE 12

The Two Ways.

       "Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and those who find it are few in number.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 13 & 14

False Prophets and True Disciples.

       "Be on guard against false prophets who come to you disguised in sheep's clothing, but who inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Does one pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruits you will know them.

       "Not everyone who says to ME, 'LORD, LORD,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of MY HEAVENLY FATHER. Many will say to ME on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in YOUR name? Did we not drive out demons in YOUR name? Did we not perform many miracles in YOUR name?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Depart from ME, you evildoers!'

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 15 - 23

The Wise and Foolish Builders.

       "Everyone who hears these words of MINE and acts in accordance with them will be like a wise man who constructed his house on a rock foundation. The rain came down, the flood waters rose, and fierce winds battered that house. However, it did not collapse, because it had its foundations on rock.

       "In contrast, everyone who hears these words of MINE and does not act in accordance with them will be like a fool who constructed his house on a foundation of sand. The rain came down, the flood waters rose, and the winds blew and buffeted that house. And it collapsed with a great crash."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 24 - 27

The Authority of JESUS.

       When JESUS had finished this discourse, the crowds were astounded at HIS teaching, because HE taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 28 & 29

JESUS Heals a Man with Leprosy.

When HE had come down from the mountain, large crowds followed HIM. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached, knelt before HIM, and said, "LORD, if YOU choose to do so, YOU can make me clean." HE stretched out HIS hand and touched him, saying, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately, his leprosy was cured. Then JESUS said to him, "See that you tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses prescribed. That will be proof for them."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 1 - 4

JESUS Heals the Centurion's Servant.

        When JESUS entered Capernaum, a centurion approached HIM and pleaded for HIS help. "LORD," he said, "my servant is lying at home paralyzed and enduring agonizing sufferings." JESUS said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion replied, "LORD, I am not worthy to have YOU come under my roof. But simply say the word and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man subject to authority, with soldiers who are subject to me. I say to one 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

       When JESUS heard this, HE was amazed, and HE said to those who were following HIM, "Amen, I say to you, in no one throughout Israel have I found faith as great as this. Many, I tell you, will come from the east and the west to sit with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven. But the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

       JESUS then said to the centurion, "Return home. Your petition has been granted because of your faith." And at that very hour the servant was healed.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 5 - 13

JESUS Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law.

        JESUS then entered the house of Peter and found Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. HE touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 14 & 15

JESUS Drives Out the Evil Spirits.

       That evening they brought to HIM many who were possessed by demons. HE cast out the spirits with a command and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill the words of the prophet Isaiah:

       "HE took away our infirmities

          and bore our diseases."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 14 - 17

The Cost of Following JESUS.

       When JESUS saw the great crowds around HIM, HE gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. A scribe approached HIM and said, "TEACHER, I will follow YOU wherever YOU go." JESUS told him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but THE SON OF MAN has nowhere to lay HIS head." Another man, one of the disciples, said, "LORD, allow me to go first and bury my father." JESUS answered him, "Follow ME, and let the dead bury their own dead."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 18 - 22

JESUS Calms the Storm.

       HE then got into the boat, followed by HIS disciples. Suddenly, a great storm came up on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But HE was asleep. And so they went to HIM and awakened HIM, saying, "LORD, save us! We are going to die!" HE said to them in reply, "Why are you so frightened, O you of little faith?"

       Then HE stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. They were amazed and asked, "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?"

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 23 - 27

JESUS Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men.

       When HE reached the region of the Gadarenes on the other side of the lake, two men who were possessed by demons came out of the tombs and approached HIM. They were so fiercely violent that no one dared to pass that way. Suddenly, they shouted, "What do YOU want with us, SON OF GOD? Have YOU come here to torment us before the appointed time?"

       Some distance away a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons pleaded with HIM, "If YOU cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs." HE said to them, "Go, then!" They came out and entered the pigs. The entire herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and they perished in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, and when they reached the town, they related the whole story including what had happened to the men who had been possessed. Then the whole town came out to meet JESUS, and when they saw HIM they begged HIM to leave their region.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 28 - 34

The Healing of a Paralyzed Man.

Therefore, JESUS got into a boat and, crossing over the lake, arrived at HIS hometown. Some people then approached HIM, carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. On perceiving their faith, JESUS said to the man, "Take heart, son. Your sins are forgiven."

       On hearing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." JESUS perceived what they were thinking, and HE said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier, to say: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say: 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you may come to realize that THE SON OF MAN has authority on earth to forgive sins"--HE said to the paralyzed man--"Stand up, take your bed, and go to your home." The man got up and returned to his home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe, and they glorified GOD for having given such authority to men.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 1 - 8

JESUS Calls Matthew.

       As JESUS walked on from there, HE noticed a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. JESUS said to him, "Follow ME," and he got up and followed HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSE 9

JESUS Dines with Sinners.

       When HE was sitting at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners were seated with JESUS and HIS disciples. On seeing this, the Pharisees said to HIS disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When JESUS heard this, HE said, "It is not the healthy who need a physician, but rather those who are sick. Go and learn what this text means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 10 - 13

A Time of Joy and Grace.

       Then the disciples of John came to HIM and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast but YOUR disciples do not do so?" JESUS answered, "How can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

       "No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak, because the patch eventually pulls away from the cloak and a worse tear results. Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins, for if they do, the wineskins burst, the wine spills forth, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins. In this way both are preserved."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 14 - 17

JESUS Heals a Sick Woman and Raises a Dead Girl.

       While HE was saying these things to them, an official came forward. He knelt before HIM and said, "My daughter has just died. But if YOU come and lay YOUR hand on her, she will live." JESUS then rose and followed him, together with HIS disciples.

       Suddenly, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind HIM and touched the fringe of HIS cloak. For she thought to herself, "If only I touch HIS cloak, I shall be healed." JESUS turned and saw her, and HE said, "Take heart, daughter! Your faith has healed you." And from that moment the woman was cured.

       When JESUS arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, HE said, "Go away! The girl is not dead; she is asleep," but they laughed at HIM. When the people had been sent outside, HE went in and took her by the hand, and the little girl stood up. And the news of this spread throughout the entire district.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 18 - 26

JESUS Heals Two Blind Men.

       As JESUS proceeded from there, two blind men followed HIM, crying out loudly, "SON OF DAVID, have pity on us." When HE had gone indoors, the blind men approached HIM. JESUS said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" They replied, "Yes, LORD, we do." Then JESUS touched their eyes, saying, "Let it be done for you according to your faith." And their sight was restored. Then JESUS sternly warned them, "See to it that no one learns about this." But as soon as they had departed, they spread the news about HIM throughout that entire district.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 27 - 31

JESUS Heals a Mute Demoniac.

       As they left, a man who was possessed and unable to speak was brought to HIM. When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute was able to speak. The crowds were amazed, and they said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees responded, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 32 - 34

The Harvest Is Abundant.

       JESUS traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every kind of illness and disease. When HE saw the crowds, HE had compassion on them because they were distressed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then HE said to HIS disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask THE LORD of the harvest to send forth laborers for HIS harvest."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 35 - 38