When She Truly Repented

By Mary Vee
John 8 

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.

Photo by Mary Vee, The top of
the Mount of Olives today.

Last time I wrote, I told about the first day we spent with Jesus in the Temple for the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus taught, answered questions, and, of course, dealt with the Pharisees. At the end of the day, the crowd and Pharisees returned to their homes or inns. 

Jesus didn't have a place to rest that night. No one who was at the Temple followed the custom to invite travelers, in this case, Jesus, into their home for rest.

Jesus walked up a steep road to the Mount of Olives for the evening, the same place where  he taught us how to pray. The next morning he rose early, walked back down the mountain, across the field and into the Temple for another day of the Feast of the Tabernacles.

Many men arrived at the early morning hour for the celebration. They gathered around Jesus. Quiet a few of these people lived far away and seemed interested in hearing Jesus teach one more time before they returned home.

Jesus sat down and prepared to teach. He hadn't spoken long before a group of Pharisees and teachers of the law dragged a woman through the crowd. They forced her to stand before the group then faced Jesus. "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone a woman guilty of such a crime. What do you say?" 

The Pharisees scowled while roughly dealing with the woman. Clearly they brought her before Jesus and this crowd to discredit Jesus. 

The crowd watched Jesus, but he didn't look at them, nor the Pharisees. He bent low to the ground and wrote in the dirt with his finger.

The Pharisees asked him again, "What do you say?" They badgered him, refusing to stop pressing him for an answer.

After a few minutes, Jesus stood and faced the Pharisees. He said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." When finishing these words, Jesus stooped down and wrote again in the dirt. 

Photo by Mary Vee
On top of the Mount of Olives,
the Disciples Prayer is
posted in many languages.

I learned later that Jesus knew what evil the Pharisees had done only the night before. Their sin was greater that the woman's and yet they accused her, and made a show of their superiority in front of the crowds. None of them could stay and punish the woman, and they knew it.

There is only one person who could stay. Only one who had never sinned. The Son of God. And so Jesus looked and saw the accusers had all left, leaving him and the woman. He stood and asked her, "Woman, where are those who accused you? Has no one remained to condemn you?"

She raised her eyes toward him. "No one, sir."

Photo by Mary Vee
This very old olive tree
stands on the Mount of Olives

It was during one of the private times later, when Jesus explained and answered our questions that we learned he saw true repentence in the woman. As God's Son, he had he power to forgive true repentance rather than condemn and make a spectacle of her as the evil Pharisees planned. 

Jesus said, "Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin."

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.

You Can Have Living Water

By Mary Vee
John 7 

Peter

Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

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

We, the other disciples of Jesus and I are  in the temple courts. Men from all over Israel have come to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 

A group of Pharisees, these are the teachers of the Holy Scriptures, seemed upset after listening to men talking about Jesus. In their anger they sent temple guards to arrest Jesus.

As the guards approached Jesus, he said, "I am with you for only a short time, then I will go back to the one who sent me. At that time you will look for me, but where I am you cannot go."

The Pharisees who stood near said, "Where does this man intend to go that he expects to hide from us? Will he hide where others hide among the Greeks? And what did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but where I am you cannot go?' We have eyes everywhere."

The soldiers didn't arrest him at that time. 

The last day of the feast came. Jesus went to the temple courts. When many men had gathered, Jesus spoke to them. "If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scriptures say will have streams of living water flow from within."

I learned later that the living water was the Holy Spirit. Up to this time the Spirit had not been given and wouldn't be given until Jesus was glorified.

Some of the men in the crowd said, "This man must be a prophet. 

Others said, This man is the Christ."

And others said, "But how can the Christ come from Galilee? Doesn't the Scriptures say the Christ will come from David's family, from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"

So the people were divided.

Some became angry and tried to attack Jesus, but no one succeeded.

The guards returned to the Pharisees without Jesus. The teachers yelled, "Why didn't you arrest Jesus?'

"We coudn't," said the guards. "No one has ever spoken the way this man does."

The Pharisees scowled. "So he has deceived you as well. Has any of the Pharisees believed in Jesus? No! Look at the mob that knows nothing of the law, there will be a curse on them.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee had spoken with Jesus at night one time. He said to the other Pharisees, "Does our law now condemn a man without first hearing what he has to say?"

The other Pharisees said, "You should know from the Scriptures that a prophet does not come from Galilee."

And so the Pharisees walked away. 



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.

The Few Who Believed Him

By Mary Vee
John 7 

Peter

Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

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

The Feast of Tabernacles is still taking place in Jerusalem. I and the other disciples are with Jesus in the Temple courts. He has been talking with men who approach him with questions. 

At times, some of the men stepped back and talked among themselves. I was close enough to hear a few say, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? He isn't hiding. He speaks freely here in the temple."  They looked at the Pharisees. "See, they aren't saying a word against him. They must have changed their minds and concluded Jesus is the Christ."

"I'm not so sure," said another. "I think the Scriptures say we won't know where the Christ is from. This man, Jesus, is from Galilee."

Now Jesus stood talking with some other men farther away. He turned to these men and shouted, "You are correct. You know me, and you know where I am from." The men walked closer to him. Jesus then said, "I am not here on my own. The one who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him. He sent me."

The crowd of men became upset. Some tried to seize Jesus. No matter how much they tried, they couldn't seem to lay a hand on him. I later learned God had prevented their efforts because Jesus had more work to do. 

There were some in the crowd who, after hearing Jesus speak, put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miracles than this man?" They agreed this was not likely, therefore, Jesus had to be the Christ.

The Pharisees grumbled. "Theose men are turning to Jesus. We can't have that." 

The chief priest said, "We have to get rid of him. Have the temple guards arrest him at once." 

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.

Double Standards

By Mary Vee
John 7 

Peter

Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

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

The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles had already begun. Jesus' brothers left a few days ago. Before they went, they asked Him if He was going. Every Jewish man attended this feast. But they didn't ask him because they cared. They didn't believe Jesus was God's son. They thought Jesus would put on a good show with His miracles.

I soon saw why Jesus didn't leave that day. He had important work that had to be done then. Work that could not wait. I mentioned it the last time I wrote. Scroll down to the last post to read about it. When he finished the work, the other disciples and I went up to Jerusalem to the feast with him. 

He kept his presence a secret, walking among the people in the city and listening to what they said. It seemed the people were unsure about him.

After hearing this, Jesus said it was time to go to the temple court. The men standing there recognized him and gathered near, wanting to hear him speak. And so he did. He spoke from the Holy Scriptures like no other Rabbi. The listeners were surprised. They said, "How can this man speak with such knowledge when he hasn't studied?"

Jesus anwered them, "I am not speaking my own teachings. These words come from Him who sent me. He who speaks with his own thoughts does it to receive honor for himself. He who speaks for the honor of the One who sent him, speaks truth. Moses gave you the law. Not one of you obeys it. Why are you trying to kill me?"

The men shouted, "You're crazy. Who is trying to kill you?"

Jesus said, "I healed a man on the Sabbath. You judge me for doing this on the seventh day. You had no compassion for the man. Then you perform circumcision on the Sabbath and think you are right. You judge others based on what you see and think rather than what the Scriptures teach.

The men walked away and talked among themselves. 

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.

The Will Of The Father Was More Important Than...

By Mary Vee
John 7 

Peter

Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

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

The time of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles neared. Men from all over Israel travel to Jerusalem for this annual feast that remembered our ancestor's days of wandering in the desert and worshiping God in the tabernacle. 

The other disciples and I were in Galilee with Jesus.

Some men who considered themselves Jesus' brothers came to him and said, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your followers may see the miracles you do."

They assumed he wanted to become popular. To raise up a large group of followers. 

They then said, No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are talking to large groups of people, performing miracles and gaining attention, show yourself to the world."

Their words showed how much they did not believe in him as the Son of God. Jesus had no desire to become a public figure. To rise in power. He came to do the will of his Father who is in heaven.

Jesus said, "The right time for me has not yet come."

Every minute of Jesus' life and a specific purpose. He had other tasks that had to be completed first, but this was not for these unbelievers to know. 

Jesus said, "For you, any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going because for me, the right time has not yet come."

They assumed he wouldn't go to this feast. So they went ahead to Jerusalem.

While they traveled, Jesus met with seventy-two followers. He gave them instructions on how to go and tell others the message: The kingdom of God is near you. 

When he finished with this task, we traveled with Jesus in private to the Feast. He didn't call attention to himself. He walked among the people and heard them whisper, "Where is the man who performs miracles and is a great teacher?" Others whispered, "He is a good man." And others said, "He deceives the people." But no one went about speaking publicly about Jesus because they feared the Jews.

This story will continue next time. Come back and see what happened next.

 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 Seventieth Sin

By Mary Vee
Matthew 18, Luke 17

Peter

View from the top of Masada
down at where the Romans camped.
Photo by Mary Vee, Masada, Israel

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

Jesus ended a time of teaching for the other disciples and me a moment ago. He'd taught what we should do if we have a disagreement with someone.

I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by forgive the person. Say I went to a person the first time he offended me and explained how I was offended, and if he then apologized, Jesus said I should forgive him. But what if the person commited the offense a second time. A third time. Or more?

So I asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Jesus said, "No, not just seven times, but seventy times seven.

"If your brother offends or sins against you, do as I have already said. Go to him in private. Talk about what happened. If he apologizes again, forgive him."

Even if it happened on the same day?

Jesus said, "If he offends or sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I am sorry, please forgive me,' then you should forgive him.

"Let me explain it this way to help you understand. The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since the man was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt."

This is the custom that we observed. So far Jesus' story made sense to me.

Jesus continued, "The servant fell on his knees before his master and begged. 'Be patient with me and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let the man go free."

I thought this was very kind of the man. Not many masters would do that.

Jesus then said, "But when the servant left his master's house, he searched for one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed the fellow servant and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

Wait a minute. This did not seem fair. 

Jesus said, "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

"But the man refused. Instead, he had the man thrown into debtor's prison until he could repay the money. 

"It so happened that some other servants saw what the man did. His cruelty upset them sorely. They went to the master and reported everything that had happened.

"The master called for the man. In anger, he said, 'You wicked servant, I canceled all your debt because you begged me to do so. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' So the master called for the guards to take the man to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay back all he owed."

Jesus said, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."


I hadn't realized the truth in forgiving someone so many times until he told me the story. While it may be difficult to forgive a person for what they do against me, I certainly don't want to anger my heavenly father. I will work to forgive every time.

 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.

How to Settle A Disagreement

By Mary Vee
Matthew 18

Peter

View from the top of Masada
down at where the Romans camped.
Photo by Mary Vee, Masada, Israel

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

The other disciples and I walked with Jesus in the countryside and listened to him teach. The topic for this teaching is how to settle a disagreement.

Jesus said, "If your brother or someone you know hurts you in word or deed, go to him privately. Show him what he did wrong. Keep it just between you and him and work it out.

"If he listens to what you say and apologizes, you have regained the friendship bond between you. 

"If he doesn't listen and he refuses to apologize or own up to what he did wrong, then walk away. Go and find two or three others who will help resolve the problem. The two or three will listen and serve as witnesses to keep the discussion honest. Maybe then your brother will agree to apologize and restore your friendship.

"If your brother still refuses to listen to the witnesses who have seen and heard the proof, take the matter before the church. Present both sides of the problem to the people so they too can be witnesses and give your brother yet another opportunity to apologize and restore the friendship.

"If your brother then refuses to listen to what the church says, treat him as a person who has not learned about God. Explain to him the need to go to God, turn from his sinful ways, and accept the gift of God's love.

"This is a very serious matter. What is a yes on earth is a yes in heaven and a no on earth is a no in heaven. 

"Whatever you say will last for all eternity. 

"Did you know it only takes two of you to come together and agree on a need, then ask my Father in heaven and it will happen? And when two or more of you come together because of me, know this, I will be there."

I have learned so much by walking with Jesus. And yet I have so many questions. I understand now what to do for a disagreement and the importance of sharing my needs with others so they can pray to God with me. Next time, I will have a chance to ask my question: How many times do I have to forgive my brother for doing the same thing wrong?

 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.

Difficult Times

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 18, Luke 17

Peter

View from the top of Masada
down at where the Romans camped.
Photo by Mary Vee, Masada, Israel

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The other disciples and I had been listening to Jesus teach. Last week I wrote to you about children. Jesus had invited children to listen. Afterward, He told us not to shoo the children away when they came to hear him speak.

Jesus thanked the children for visiting and sent them on their way, then continued with His teachings.

He said, "Difficult times are going to happen to everyone, but we don't have to make the situation worse. If we do, terrible things will happen.

"If your hand or foot gets in the way of God, get rid of it. You are better off maimed or lame and alive than to have your hands and feet and end up in a furnace for all eternity.

"If your eye distracts you from God, get rid of it. You are better off with one eye and alive than to see with both eyes in a furnace for all eternity.

"Watch that you don't treat a person who is new to following the Scriptures with an arrogant behavior. Keep in mind that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven.

"Every person goes through a refining fire soon or later. It is how learning takes place. But you and everyone who obeys the Scriptures will be preserved and protected from the eternal flames. You should be an example to others by being at peace with each other.

John, one of the other disciples asked Jesus, "Teacher, we saw a man driving out demons in your name. We told him to stop because he wasn't one of your twelve disciples."

Jesus said, "Don't stop anyone who does a miracle in my name. They can't say anything bad about me. What I am saying is, anyone who is not against us is for us. For example, if someone gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ, they won't lose their reward. This is good of them to do."

John's question was a good one. So often we think that because Jesus invited us to listen to him that we are special. More important than others who want to follow Him. It took me a while to realize that we were acting like the Pharisees in those moments. Anyone can be a follower of Jesus the Christ. Anyone can have eternal life.

 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.

Bring the Children To Me

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 18, Luke 17

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee,
Jerusalem, Israel

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The other disciples and I had been listening to Jesus teach. There were some children who edged close to where we stood. We told them to go away. Our reasoning was we didn't want them to bother Jesus.

Apparently, we were wrong.






Jesus invited the children to come closer. He turned to us and said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. When you welcome me you are welcoming the one who sent me. Do you understand?"

I guess we did.

Photo by Mary Vee
Olive wood carving at a Palestinian Christian
Woodshop, Jerusalem

Jesus then said, "If anyone causes these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea."

Jesus looked at the children standing by him and continued speaking to us, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. Their angels who are in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

Jesus must have seen the confusion on our face because he then said, "If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, wouldn't you agree he would be happier about having the one sheep back than about the ninety-nine safe in the fold?

He smiled at the children, "In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any one of these little ones should be lost.

 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 Greatest In the Kingdom

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 18, Luke 9

Peter

Sea of Galilee shore at
Capernaum. Photo by Mary Vee

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The other disciples and I walked through Capernaum with Jesus toward a house he had planned to stop at for the evening.

We walked in small groups instead of a close together, because Jesus wasn't teaching at the time. One of the disciples near me started a discussion about which of the disciples was the greatest among us.  

I'm not even sure what brought the idea to mind. Soon the discussion turned into an argument about who the most important disciple was to Jesus. This person is. No, that person is because-- We argued the whole way until we reached the house.

After we walked inside, Jesus asked us, "What were you arguing about on the road?"

We looked at each other, all too embarrassed to answer the question.

Jesus sat and called us to his side. He said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Jesus called a small child. He had the child sit with us. "Whoever accepts a little child in My name accepts Me. Whoever accepts Me, accepts not me but the One who has sent me.

Before I met Jesus I would have thought, how did he know what we fought about? I don't wonder anymore because I know He is the Son of God. 

Jesus said to all of us, "I will explain in another way. Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or tending the sheep. The servant returns from the field after working the day. Would you say to the servant, 'Come at once and sit down to eat?' Wouldn't you say, 'Prepare something for my supper, and serve me. When I am finished eating, you may have your supper.' Do you thank the servant for obeying your instructions? I think not. 

"In the same way, when you have done all the things you have been commanded to do, you should say, "We are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty. Unless you change your minds about who is the greatest and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

"And so I say, whoever humbles himself like the child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

 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.