Their Happiness Spilled Into Praises to the God of Israel

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps plus added notations

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I went with Jesus to Tyre where he met a woman who had a sick child. You can read what happened in the last post. Scroll down.

The next day we walked up through Sidon then turned east and south into the area of the Ten Cities: Damascus and eight major cities to the east of the Jordan River, and one on the western bank of the Jordan River.

In one city, some men brought their dear friend to Jesus. The friend was deaf and could hardly speak. The men begged Jesus to place his hand on their friend. 

Jesus took the friend and the men who brought him a distance from the crowd. Once they were alone, He put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. Jesus looked up to heaven. He heaved a deep sigh then said to the man, "Ephphatha," which is translated: be opened. 

Instantly, the man's eyes went wide. He touched his ears and turned his head at every sound. Even faint ones. Then--he spoke as plainly as I would. "I can hear! I can talk," he shouted. His friends hugged him. They laughed. They patted him on the back and rejoiced.

Jesus then said, "Don't tell anyone what has happened." But the more Jesus asked, the more the men and their friend told people. It wasn't out of cruelty. They were just so happy they couldn't keep the good news a secret. 

The crowds that heard their news were overwhelmed and amazed. They said, "Jesus has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

It didn't take long before masses of people came to the area bringing loved ones who were lame, blind, crippled, mute and with many other issues. They laid them at Jesus' feet.

Compassion poured out of Jesus for these people. He healed the ones brought to Him. 

Men and women stood amazed when they saw the mute speak, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind clearly seeing. As they watched. Their happiness spilled into praises to the God of Israel. It was a great time of rejoicing.

And--it was a time I will never ever forget. 

 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.

What Great Faith Can Do

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps plus added notations

I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus said it was time to leave the Capernaum area after the issue with the Pharisees. You can read about it in the last post.

We, Jesus' disciples, followed Him northwest to the Mediterranean Shore to the area of Tyre and Sidon.

We went into a house. Jesus had chosen not to tell the people who lived there who He was at that time. But, He must have been noticed. The word spread that he was there, drawing men and women to come see Him.

A woman who lived in the area, a Canaanite, came to visit Jesus. Once she saw him she cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Jesus didn't say anything.

She continued to cry out, calling attention to herself. The other disciples and I were unsure what to do, but it seemed we needed to get this woman to leave. We went to Jesus and asked him, "Should we send her away? She keeps crying out and creating such a scene."

Jesus said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

The woman pressed closer to Jesus. She knelt before him and cried out, "Lord, help me!"

Jesus said, "It's not right to take the bread that belongs to one's own children and toss it to their dogs."

The woman said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Jesus smiled, "Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted." 

The woman left and when she went home, she found her daughter had been healed and that it had happened at the same hour Jesus had spoken to her.

As Jesus disciple, I have learned that everything He says and does has importance. This woman was not an Israelite, yet her faith in Jesus as the one who could heal had given her what she asked.

Jesus once said, "Ask and you will receive." But he didn't mean it in a way that we could have whatever we wanted. We need faith like this woman, and our purpose must be to bring praise to God. That is why Jesus healed the woman's daughter.

 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 Heart is the Key

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum

Jesus called to the people milling about. 

When they gathered close he said, "Please listen. Everyone. Listen closely and I will teach you. 

The people quieted.

Jesus said, "Nothing outside of a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Food and drink going into you does not make you unclean. What makes a person unclean is what comes out of that person."

I and the other disciples had heard the Pharisees in the crowd grumbling. We went to Jesus privately and said, "The Pharisees were offended when they heard what you said."

The people have always gone to the Pharisees to understand the law. The Pharisees have taught what should be eaten, what shouldn't be eaten, when to rest, when to work, and so much more. They have worked to make the law clear to the people. They have also made so many rules no one can remember all of them.

Jesus said, "If a plant grows that has not been planted by my heavenly Father, it will be pulled up by its roots. Leave the Pharisees, they are like guides who are blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

I wasn't exactly sure what Jesus meant by 'unclean,' so I asked, "Explain the parable to us."

"Don't you see that when food or drink goes into a man, it goes into his stomach then out of his body? The Pharisees require men not to eat certain foods as though the food itself had sinned. But these foods do not go to a man's heart, which is where sin resides. 

"It is the heart that makes a man unclean. Out of men's hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All of these evils come from inside. They come from the heart and makes a man 'unclean.'

His explanation was so clear to me. The Pharisees had added requirements to the law. We are sinners from birth, and it has infected our heart. Eating or not eating certain foods and drinking or not drinking a beverage will not make us clean. 

There is nothing we can do to rid our hearts from sin. Only Jesus the Christ can make us clean. I have so much more to learn from Jesus. To do this, I have devoted my life to listening to His teachings and learning from Him.

 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.

Those Who Chose To Stay By Jesus' Side

By Mary Vee
John 6, Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum

Jesus spoke to a crowd of people a few minutes ago. When he finished teaching, many of His disciples turned their backs on him and chose not to follow his teachings any longer.

After they left, Jesus turned to the twelve of us. Andrew, James, John, Thomas, Matthew, Philip, Bartholomew, James, Thaddeus, Simeon, Judas, and myself. He asked, "You don't want to leave too, do you?"

The question sliced my heart in two. How could I ever leave Jesus? I spoke out first, it's just something I did. Sometimes my words blurted out what was in my soul. I said, "Lord, who are we to go to if we leave you? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Jesus said, "Even though I have chosen the twelve of you, one is a devil."

I didn't know which one of us He meant. Surely Jesus knew my heart and commitment to Him. What I knew was I would always follow Jesus.

The mealtime came. We disciples ate using our hands. Moving about the country as we did left us without tools to abide by the traditional hand washings. 

Some teachers and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to hear Jesus. They apparently saw us eating food with our hands. The Pharisees didn't eat unless they performed the ceremonial washing. They kept the tradition of the elders faithfully. When the Pharisees left the marketplace, they didn't eat unless they first washed. They also followed other traditions such as washing cups, pitchers, and kettles.

These Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus why He didn't require us to follow the traditions of the elders instead of allowing us to eat food with 'unclean' hands.

Jesus said, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you. He wrote: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain. Their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of God's commands and are holding tight to the traditions of men.

Jesus then said, "You have a fine way of setting aside God's commands in order to observe your own traditions. Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother.' He also said, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you tell the men they don't need to do anything for their father or mother. This is when you nullify the word of God with the traditions you have handed down. I have given you only one example of the many ways your traditions do not follow the commands of God."

With those words, Jesus finished speaking for the time.

His message was so clear to me. Follow God's commands not the traditions of the elders. His words confirmed why I would continue to follow Jesus, the Holy One of God, and his teachings.

 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.

Living Each Day With The Son of God

By Mary Vee
John 6

A Disciple Who Walked With Jesus

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum

We went into the synagogue on the Sabbath in Capernaum to worship. On this day, Jesus taught, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."

Many Jews who attended the worship grumbled among themselves. They said, "How can He come down from heaven. Isn't he Jesus, the son of Joseph whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, I came down from heaven?"

Their grumblings were not so quiet. Jesus heard them and said, "Stop grumbling among yourselves. No one can follow me unless the Father who sent me draws him. Those the Father draws to me I will raise up on the last day. 

"It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' So, everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 

"No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God. Only he has seen the Father. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

"Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert. This did not give them everlasting life, because as you know, their bodies died. 

"I am the bread of life. The bread that comes down from heaven that gives everlasting life. This is bread for your soul and gives everlasting life."

After hearing Jesus speak, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

Jesus said, "Does this offend you? What would you say if you see the Son of Man rise up to heaven to where he was before? The Spirit gives life. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe."

Later I learned that Jesus had known from the beginning which of those men did not believe and who would betray him. 

Jesus said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

Sadly, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 

I was one who stayed. Although I didn't understand all that Jesus taught, I knew in my heart that this man was the promised Messiah foretold by the prophets. For this reason, I couldn't leave him. I had to stay and learn all I could. Imagine... sitting, walking, living each day with the Son of God. That is what I did.

 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 Search For Jesus

By Mary Vee
John 6

One of the 5,000 

Photo by Mary Vee. Ruins at Capernaum

Yesterday, I brought my wife and children to the place where others said Jesus would be. I wanted to hear what He had to say. My friends tell me this man has healed even the very sick and His teachings are like none any have heard before.

We spent the day listening to Jesus and around evening, we grew hungry. The story has already been told how Jesus miraculously fed all the people who were there. 5,000 men plus women and children! 

After we finished eating, the people wanted to make Jesus king. Some of the men and women pressed in toward Jesus. It looked like they wanted to lift him up in their arms and place a crown on his head. 

Jesus whispered to his disciples. They nodded, walked down the hill to their boat, and sailed away. Sometime after, Jesus left, I'm not sure when. There were so many people I didn't see him leave or which direction He went. 

Everyone hung around, assuming the disciples would return, which meant Jesus would also come back. When they didn't come back right away, some of the people boarded boats and went out searching for the disciples hoping to also find Jesus.

Nightfall came. Those of us who had stayed still didn't see Jesus. By the next morning, ships from Tiberias docked at the shore. We watched and saw neither Jesus nor His disciples stepping on to the shore.

We were confused. The disciples must have sailed to Gennesaret across the sea. No one could figure out where Jesus went.

We talked and decided the only answer that made sense was Jesus must have climbed into a boat and met His disciples across the sea.

We climbed into boats and sailed for Capernaum in search of Jesus and were so happy to see him when we docked. "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

Jesus said, "You are only looking for me because you had your fill of food yesterday. You haven't come because of the miraculous sign that you saw or what you learned. Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that lasts eternally. The Son of Man will give this to you. On him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

We asked him, "What work does God want us to do?"

Jesus said, "God asks you to believe in the one he has sent."

We asked, "What miraculous sign can you give to help us believe you? Our forefathers ate manna in the desert given to them from heaven."

Jesus said, "Moses is not the one who gives bread from heaven. My Father gives the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

We asked Jesus to sit. "From now on, give us this bread."

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you have seen me and don't believe. Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. I have come down from heaven not to do my will but the will of Him who sent me. Everyone who looks to the Son and believes will have eternal life and will be raised up at the last day.

 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 People Longed to See Jesus

By Mary Vee
Mark 6, Matthew 14

Peter 

Near the area where Jesus fed the 5,000.
Northern area, up a high hill, The Sea of Galilee
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am one of Jesus' disciples.

We twelve disciples and Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee last night and weighed anchor on the northwest shores at the city of Gennesaret this morning.

While out on the water, we saw crowds of people swarming to the shore and expected their greetings. Why? Because of Jesus. He'd fed 5000 people only the day before and the news had traveled. 

Over these many months, He has healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, the blind to see and ordered demons to leave those infirmed.

The people who came to the shore to greet us desperately cared about their loved ones who needed help and were willing to carry them wherever Jesus happened to be. Longing for a simple moment with Him. And while their first interest was the healing of their child or father, they also heard the teachings of God while with Him.

Jesus walked throughout the region teaching truths about His Father. Because he had healed those in need, family members brought their lame and blind and sick loved ones and sat them on mats. Everyone had a chance to hear Jesus' teachings, not just the healthy. Then with the compassion we'd known Jesus to have, He healed the loved ones.

Jesus walked into the countryside into small villages, and towns sharing the teachings of His Father to everyone. In those places, the people begged him to let them touch a tiny piece of his garment. 

Every time I watched another person healed, I marveled. The family smiled and rejoiced. The sick person rose up, well. 

Jesus cares for the people like no other man we have seen before. As I saw out on the sea, when my feet slipped into the water and he caught me, this man truly is the Son of God. Only He has the power to heal people. Only He knows the words of God to teach us. He is the promised Messiah.

 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.

They Saw What Happened And Believed

By Mary Vee
Mark 6, Matthew 14, John 6

Peter 

Near the area where Jesus fed the 5,000.
Northern area, up a high hill, The Sea of Galilee
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am one of Jesus' disciples.

A few moments ago, more than five thousand people shared one boy's lunch. Imagine that! Jesus took the bread and fish from the boy, blessed it, and served enough food for everyone. I saw it happen. Jesus truly amazed us with that miracle. 

We'd barely finished gathering the extra food when men and women from the crowd stood. They walked closer to Jesus and said, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."

With the people crowding Jesus, we disciples barely had room to stand. 

Jesus said, "You need to get into the boat and sail ahead of me. I will meet you in Bethsaida."

We looked at the people than him, not wanting to leave his side.

"Go," he said. "I will dismiss them."

Later we learned that Jesus knew the people wanted to make him king right then and there. This was not His time, He said. After the crowds left, Jesus walked up the mountain to pray.

Dark filled the sky. We'd sailed for a while expecting Jesus to catch up in another boat. A strong wind pushed the sails tossing our ship about. Waves rose up and smacked against the sides of the ship, splashing in on us. We held the oars steady with all our strength working to keep the boat upright.

The wind and water pummeled the ship hour after hour. Although we knew what to do, we were frightened the ship would sink. How we longed for Jesus to come and save us. 

Long about the fourth watch we looked and saw a man walking on the water toward the ship. We had no idea who or what it was. He continued walking even alongside the boat. The man had to be a ghost. Who else could walk on water? We became terrified and cried out for mercy.

The man answered our cries right away, saying, "Take courage!" Then I knew. It was the voice of Jesus. "It is I. Don't be afraid."

The other disciples and I looked at each other. We hardly knew how to respond.

I looked at Jesus, still a bit uncertain, and said, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."

Jesus held his arms out and said, "Come."

I glanced at the others. The wind and storm became nothing to me. I had an opportunity to walk out to Jesus on the water. Did I trust him? Absolutely.

I climbed out of the boat and set first one foot on the water than the other. I fixed my eyes solely on Jesus'. I stepped once, twice, and again. Not looking to the right or to the left.

Suddenly a gust of wind swept past me. My focus broke away from Jesus. I looked down at the water and became afraid. My feet sank into the waves, then my legs then my waist. I looked up to Jesus and cried, "Lord, save me!"

Jesus reached out his hand and caught me. "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?"

In His kindness and compassion, He walked me back to the boat and helped me climb inside. The wind died down as Jesus entered the boat. 

The other disciples who'd witnessed what had happened couldn't find words to say.  

Jesus continued to surprise us with things we did not understand. We couldn't help but say, "Truly you are the Son of God."

While the other disciples did not know what it felt like to walk on the water toward Jesus, they saw what had happened and believed.

 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.

Feeding 5,000

By Mary Vee
Mark 6, Matthew 14, Luke 9, John 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Near the area where Jesus fed the 5,000.
Northern area, up a high hill, The Sea of Galilee
Photo by Mary Vee

The hour grew late. We disciples had a busy day with Jesus.

Thousands of men and women rushed to the Sea of Galilee's northern shores to see Jesus. 

The break time Jesus gave us ended the moment we landed on shore. We docked the boat and stepped onto shore with Him. He looked at all the people greeting him and had such compassion.

Jesus walked up the hill to a grassy area where the people could sit and hear him talk. He taught them until the evening hour which is now. The people were hungry. We disciples were hungry.

I spoke with the other disciples and we all agreed that the crowd needed to be sent away. There still was time for them to walk to a city or villages, buy bread, and eat before returning home. We agreed the idea should be suggested to Jesus. So we did.

Jesus turned to Philip and said, "Where is a place we could buy bread for these people to eat?"

We all were surprised at the question, but waited for Philip to answer.

Philip shrugged and said, "Eight months wages wouldn't buy enough bread for each person here to have a single bite!"

We leaned later that Jesus already knew what he would do even though he posed this question to Philip.

Andrew had been away during this conversation. He guided a boy to take a step forward. "This boy is willing to give his lunch. He only has five small barley loaves and two small fish." He shook his head. "It won't feed many people."

We were perplexed. Jesus didn't seem to want to tell the people to leave, yet we didn't have the food to feed them. We didn't even have the money to buy enough food. 

In all this time, Jesus never once seemed concerned how to handle the problem.

He looked at us and gave this instruction: "Direct the people to sit in groups of hundreds and fifties."

So we did. He obviously knew what he was doing. We walked among the crowd and helped them section themselves into the groups Jesus asked for. When we finished we returned to Jesus who still ha the boy's lunch. 

Jesus held the fish and bread in his hands and looked up toward heaven. He prayed to His Father asking a blessing, said amen, then began breaking the bread and fish into pieces. The pieces were placed into baskets.

The twelve of us walked to our assigned groups of people and passed out the food, letting them take what they needed then went back for more. I continued returning to Jesus and taking more bread and fish to the people until everyone in my group had eaten.

We disciples also ate and were satisfied like the people. When everyone finished, we took the baskets around to the people, gathering up the extra food. Twelve baskets came back to Jesus filled with uneaten food.

There were five thousand men and this didn't count the number of women and children present who also ate.

When the people saw the miracle Jesus had done, they said, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."

 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.