The Pharisees Question to Trap Jesus

By Mary Vee
Mark 10:2-9

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

Usually when one or more Pharisee asked Jesus a question, they didn't want to be taught. No. Their goal was to trap Jesus or get Him to say a wrong answer.

But He never did. 

Like the time a group of Pharisees approached him near Jerusalem and asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

These men had studied the Law of Moses. They knew the answer. 

Jesus, God's Son, answered this way. "Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife? The two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. What God has joined together, let man not separate."

The Pharisees didn't like the answer. They tried to trap him again with this question. "Why then, did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

Jesus said, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

By this time they'd entered a house. The Pharisees stayed with Jesus and his disciples ready to fire more questions. "Explain your answer."

"All right," Jesus said. "Any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his previous wife. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery against her previous husband."

The Pharisees thought about His answer then said, "If this is so, it is better not to marry."

Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to handle living the married life. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth, never even give marriage a thought. Other never get asked or are accepted. And some never get married for kingdom reasons. If you are capable of living the married life, then do it."

Come back to read more.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Pharisees Plot

By Mary Vee
John 11:28-45

A tomb in Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, died. They put him in a tomb with spices. But when Jesus arrived, he performed a miracle, raising Lazarus from the dead.

...Some of the Jews went to the Pharisees and complained about what Jesus did.  

When the Pharisees heard the news, they called a meeting, inviting the Sanhedrin.

In the discussion, they said, "What should we do? Here is this man performing many miraclous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation."

Caiaphas served as the high priest at this time. He listened to the arguments then said, "Think about this. Wouldn't it be better for one man to die for the people than the whole nation perishing from Roman hands?"

Caiaphas didn't openly tell the Pharisees and Sanhedrin he'd prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation and all the scattered children of God, or that his death would unite them, making them one. 

"There is only one thing we can do. We must find a legal way to take his life."

The men at the meeting agreed.

Jesus, God's Son, knew what the men planned. He no longer moved about publicly in Jewish villages and cities. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim where he stayed with his disciples.

Come back to read the next part.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

If You Were Invited to a Grand Banquet, Would You Go?

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

Sun setting in Israel
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

For the last few posts, I've written about a grand Sabbath dinner. At this meal, a pharisee invited Jesus and His disciples. There were many others who happened to attend as well.

Jesus has been teaching those who came while they waited for the meal. As it turns out he has started another story. This is what he is saying:

There was a man who prepared a great banquet. He sent out many guest invitations.

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant out with this announcement, "Come. The banquet is ready."

Sadly, each invited guest gave an excuse for why he couldn't attend. The first said, "I can't come right now. I've bought a field and must stay here to care for it."

Another said, "I have bought five oxen. I must see if they can do the work I need."

Another said, "I am sorry, but I have just been married. I can't come at this time."

So the servant returned to his master's house with his report. "I am sorry, master, but everyone had a reason why they couldn't attend the banquet."

The owner was offended. In his anger, he said, "Go out to the streets and alleys and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and lame. Let them freely come to my banquet. Go now."

So the servant invited all the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame then said, "I have invited all the people you have requested. See, they are at the table, and there is room for more." 

The master said, "Then go out to the streets, the country roads, anywhere you find people. Invite them all. I want my house to be full. Mark my word, not one person from the original invitation list will get a bite of food from my table.

What would you have said to your invitation?

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus, Teach Us To Pray

By Mary Vee
Luke 11 

Peter

My name is Peter. The other disciples and I had supper at Martha and Mary's house recently.

On a day soon after, Jesus went off by himself to pray. He had done this many times while we were in his service. We knew he would return when he was ready. 

When he rejoined us, one disciple asked him to teach us how to pray. "John had taught his disciples. We would like you to teach us."




Jesus said, "When you pray say your words from your heart, not flowery words. God is not impressed by those. Like this: 


Our Father who is 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 sins
As we forgive those who have sinned against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from the Evil One
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.

Do you understand?" Jesus waited for questions.

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

But we didn't have any. The prayer was one we could easily say. We should first praise God, speak our heart needs then ask forgiveness and protection. And end with praise.

Before this time I had struggled because I thought the God of Heaven would want words that only a rabbi could speak.

Now I understand. Thanks to Jesus.

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus Listened to Martha's Complaint

By Mary Vee
Luke 10 

Martha

Photo by Mary Vee
Land near Jerusalem

My name is Martha. I have heard a lot about a prophet named Jesus. His disciples traveled with him on a journey to Jerusalem.

They arrived in my village at meal time. I offered my home for them to rest and food to eat. Jesus said, "Thank you," and followed me to my home.

I showed them to a room where they could relax from their journey. My sister, Mary entered about that time.

"Rabbi, this is my sister, Mary."

The disciples sat and faced Jesus. I suppose he planned to teach them. I left the room and went to the kitchen to prepare the meal expecting Mary to join me, but she didn't.

I rushed about the kitchen cooking as fast as I could. As each minute went by I wondered what Mary was doing. I really needed her help.

I walked to the other room with a handful of dishes and was shocked to see her sitting on the floor listening to Jesus. What was the matter with her? These men were hungry. We have been honored with their presence and must give them our best. 

I couldn't stand it another moment. I walked into the room and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

Jesus didn't look at Mary. He didn't tell her to go and help. Instead, he looked at me and said, "Martha, Martha."

I didn't know what he meant.

He said, "You are worried and upset about many things, but there is only one thing worth your attention. See Mary? She has chosen what is better. She sits here listening and learning. All that she has heard will not be taken away from her."

And so I left the food for later. I sat with the disciples and Mary and listened to Jesus teach. His words touched my heart. I felt so blessed.

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Why Jesus Told The Story of The Good Samaritan

By Mary Vee
Luke 10 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
Land near Jerusalem

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The other eleven disciples and I are traveling with Jesus south toward Jerusalem. We are stopping at villages along the way where Jesus is teaching all who come to hear.

Outside one village several rabbis sat among the people. These rabbis are intelligent men, trained in the Holy Scriptures.

One of these rabbis stood. He whispered to the other rabbis then said to Jesus, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

As a trained rabbi he would have had an answer for any citizen who asked the same question. He only asked Jesus to test him.

"What is written in the Law?" Jesus replied. "How do you interpret the answer to that question?"

The rabbi said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. Also, Love your neighbor as yourself." 

"You have answered correctly," said Jesus. "Do this and you will live."

The rabbi talked with the other rabbis again. They seemed to want to justify how they lived and what they did. "Tell me teacher, who is my neighbor?"

The other rabbis laughed softly. 

Jesus said, "I will answer you with a story. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when a band of robbers attacked him. They tore his clothes away from him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

"A priest happened to be going down the same road. When he saw the man, he passed by on the other side."

I thought, this made sense because the priest is not to touch a dead person.

"A Levite walked the same road and crossed to the other side like the priest.

"The sun bore down on the beaten man. He wanted water desperately. After some time, a Samaritan traveled on the same road. He saw a man on the road ahead and ran to him. 'What has happened?'

"'Robbers took everything I have then beat me.'

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

"The Samaritan felt pity for the injured man. He opened his supplies and took out bandages, oil, and wine and attended to the man's injuries. When he finished, he lifted the man and placed him on his donkey. 

The Samaritan led the donkey to the nearest inn. He took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Care for this injured man. When I return, I will reimburse you for any other costs you may have.''

Jesus said to the rabbi who asked the question, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"

The rabbi said, "The one who had mercy on the beaten man."

Jesus then said, "Go and do the same for others."

The answer surprised the rabbi. He returned to his friends. 

They stood and walked away.

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

What Made Jesus Happy

By Mary Vee
Matthew 11, Luke 10 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
Land near Jerusalem

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The other eleven disciples and I have been listening to the seventy men sent out by Jesus to villages ahead of us. They had just returned. Their happy faces showed how much they enjoyed their journey.

They told stories of people who listened to the Gospel, and those who did not. They told about the wonderful people who let them stay in their homes and fed them. There were also those who had turned them away as though they were nothing more than a rabid dog.

It was these stories that seem to bring Jesus' next response. He said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Thank you for hiding your mysteries from the wise and intellectual. You have chosen to reveal your truth to those who are like little children, eager to learn because their heart seeks truth. Yes, Father, your ways are full of grace."

He explained to us that His happiness came from the Holy Spirit. "My Father has given me everything. No one knows the full identity of the Son except the Father. The Son fully reveals the Father to whomever He wishes."

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

By this time, a great crowd had gathered around us. Jesus turned to his disciples and spoke softly for only us to hear, "How privileged you are to see what you have seen. Many prophets and kings have longed for this day to see what you see and hear what you have witnessed."

Jesus held his arms out to us and said, "Come to me all of you who are tired and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. If you walk with me, I will show you how to live with grace. I won't give you anything difficult. If you learn from me, you will know the way to walk the rest of your life. I will give you peace."


Jesus sat on the ground and all who had gathered there did the same, excited to hear what he would say.

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Unexpected Thank You

By Mary Vee
Luke 17 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
Land near Jerusalem

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus.

The other disciples and I walked with Jesus to the south toward Jerusalem along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 

We happened upon a village and turned when ten men call out to us. The men kept their distance but shouted, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"





In our time, men and women with leprosy were not allowed in the cities. The disease is highly contagious. Before a leper can enter a city they must have the approval of the priest who first examines the individual for signs of the disease. If they are cured they will receive approval to enter the city. If they are not healed, they won't be allowed in through the city gates.

Jesus said to the men, "Go to the priest and show yourselves." 

As they walked away their bodies became whole. The leprosy had left them.

One man stopped walking. He looked at his hands, turning them side to side. He touched his face. He sprang up into the air and shouted, "I am healed!" He turned and ran to Jesus. This is important. If he had any leprosy the law states he could not walk near any person. 

The man fell at Jesus' feet and wept. "Thank you. Thank you for healing me." He lifted his eyes and praised God in a loud voice. 

Photo by Mary
Land near Jerusalem

This man was a Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews did not get along well. Yet this man, cleansed of his leprosy approached Jesus, born a Jew, and thanked Him. At this moment, the man was one who had a disease and Jesus, the Son of God, healed him.

Jesus said, "Weren't all ten of you healed from leprosy? Where are the other nine? They were Jews. You were the only Samaritan. Didn't they come with you?"

The man didn't answer. He continued to weep and thank God for healing him.



Jesus said, "Stand. Go to your family and home. Your faith has made you well."

He stood and walked toward the temple. A few steps farther he turned back with a very happy smile and said, "Thank you."  

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus Explains Who The Good Shepherd Is

By Mary Vee
John 10 

Peter

The hill where shepherds watched their sheep
overlooking Bethlehem.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The Pharisees joined a crowd of people standing outside of the temple. They'd stood close to Jesus and listened to him talk about the Good Shepherd. These teachers of the law said they didn't understand what Jesus meant by the words Good Shepherd.

So Jesus explained. "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 

"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice. There will be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I am willing to lay down my life for my sheep then rise up again and return to heaven. No one can take my life from me. I choose to lay down my life on my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The hill overlooking Bethlehem
where shepherds watched over their sheep by night.
Photo by Mary Vee"I am the Good Shepherd."

When he finished speaking these words, the Jews took sides. Many of them said, "Jesus is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"

But the others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon heal a blind man?"

These discussions between the two groups lasted a long time. We left with Jesus before they ended their discussion and traveled back north to Capernaum. 

 

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Why The Pharisees Lost a Debate with A Blind Man

By Mary Vee
John 9 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee. View from the Mount of Olives facing
the Temple area

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

A few moments ago, Jesus healed a blind man. He told his friends and neighbors. They didn't believe he was the same man who had been blind all those years. 

The Jews took the man to the Pharisees who asked the man, "How is it that you can see when you have been blind?"

The man answered, "A man named Jesus put mud on my eyes and told me to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. I did as he said, and now I see."

The Pharisees shook their heads and whispered to each other before saying, "Jesus cannot have come from God as He claims. This is the Sabbath, a day in which we are to rest. Healing this man is an act of work. He has disobeyed the Law of Moses."

Some of the people in the crowd asked, "If that is so, then how can a sinner do such a miraculous sign?"

The two groups argued for some time. They finally turned to the blind man and asked, "Tell us about this man, Jesus. It was your eyes that you claim he opened."

The man said, "Jesus is a prophet."

The Jews standing there still didn't believe that the man standing before them used to be blind. They sent for his parents to come and settle the matter. The Pharisees asked them, "Is this your son?"

The man and wife looked at the one who said he used to be blind. "Yes. He is our son."

The Pharisees still did not seem satisfied. They asked, "Is this the one you say was born blind. If that is so, explain to us how he can see right now?"

The father shook his head. "I know my son. This is him. He has been blind since birth. As for how he is able to see now, or who was it that caused him to see, I don't know. Ask him. He is old enough to answer your question. Let him speak for himself." 

The parents were afraid of these Jews. The Pharisees had announced: anyone acknowledging Jesus as the Christ would be banished from the synagogue. 

Photo by Mary Vee.
The pool where people came to be healed.
Jerusalem

The Pharisees called the man who had been bind again and said, "Give glory to God. We know this man, Jesus, is a sinner."

The healed man said, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I have no idea. But this I know, I was blind but now I see!"

The Pharisees said, "Tell us what he did. How did he open your eyes?"

"I told you already and you didn't listen. Why should I tell you again? Do you want to become one of his disciples?"

This made the Pharisees very angry. "You are a disciple of Jesus. We are disciples of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, Jesus, we don't even know where he comes from."

Photo by Mary Vee
The blind man wasn't the only person
Jesus healed. This sign is near the pool
shown above. Jerusalem

The man who had been blind said, "Now isn't that amazing! You say you don't know where Jesus comes from, yet he opened my eyes and gave me sight. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man did not come from God, he couldn't do any miracle. 

The Pharisees said, "You were full of sin at birth. That is what made you blind. How dare you lecture us as though you are smarter than us!" They grabbed the man who had been blind and tossed him out of the temple area."

The battle isn't over. 

What happened next? Next week I will tell you more. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.