chronological order. This quote references an event that occurred during "The Last Supper", held the night before Jesus was captured and crucified. As the full verse states, (22) "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'This is my body'. (23) Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they al drank from it. (24) 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many', he said to them." The bread represented Jesus' body, the wine, his blood; both which he gave for us. [hide]

chronological order. It's recounts a great story in which Jesus taught about serving others- a time when John and James came to Jesus with a request. (36) "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. (37) They replied, let one of us sit at your right hand and the other at your left in you glory". They thought Jesus was going to be establishing a kingdom on earth and they wanted high places by throne. But, Jesus' kingdom was not of this world. So he gathered all of his disciples and said, (40) "...to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared". (42)"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise it over them. (43) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, (44) and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for the ransom of many." What if everyone in our world took this same approach? [hide]

chronological order. It references one of the most dramatic occurrences in the Bible and Jesus' life; when he was betrayed by Judas- one of the twelve disciples who, for a promised reward led police and soldiers to Jesus, to seize and bring him to religious court for trial. Jesus had predicted this event and when the police arrived with swords and clubs, Jesus said, (48) "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? (49) Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled". (50) Then everyone deserted him and fled. Jesus had predicted and understood the suffering he was about to endure. He did not will it, but knew that God did. He showed commitment, by being willing to pay a high price for something worthwhile- a lesson for all of us. [hide]

The full verse says, (12) While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean." (13) Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. Leprosy at the time was incurable and in many cases highly contagious, yet Jesus extended his hand to help him. While we may consider people who are disformed, disabled or diseased to be unpleasant or even untouchable, Jesus teaches us not to be afraid, and to reach out and touch them with his love. [hide]

. The full verse says, (22) One day, Jesus said to his disciples, "Lets go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. (23) As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was swamped and they were in great danger. (24) The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. (25) "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." The storms of our lives may scare us, but as Jesus showed, we can always trust that God is in control and he will reward our faith in him. [hide]

he towns and places he was headed. The full verse says that, (2) He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. (another great line!). Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (3) Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. (4) Do not take a purse or bag of sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. (5) When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' (6) If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you." Of course, Jesus and his disciples were "harvesting" souls and Jesus knew that they would sometimes be met with opposition. But he instructed his disciples to always act with respect, love and kindness regardless of what they might face. [hide]

hentic personality and sense of humor, but also the fact that he understood what he was ultimately going to do. While on a mission to save the world, Jesus still took time out to socialize and so when invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee (weddings were week-long events back in the day!), he accepted. On the third day, his mother mentioned to Jesus that, (3) ..."They have no more wine", to which Jesus replied (sarcastically?) (4) "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come". His mother instructed the servants to do what Jesus asked of them. As it turned out, Jesus instructed the servants to go fetch jars of water. They did so and when the master of the wedding tasted the water, he discovered they had been turned into wine. In all likelihood, Mary was asking Jesus to perform a miracle, just to help solve a problem. He did, in a way that only he could. What is important is knowing, like Mary, that we can always trust in Jesus, no matter our circumstances. [hide]

ed because Jews didn't associate with Samaritans. She asked Jesus how he could ask her for a drink and he answered, (10) ..."If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. (13) Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, (14) but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water, welling up to eternal life". As their conversation continued, Jesus demonstrated that he knew all about the woman's private life. She told Jesus she could see he was a prophet, while adding: "I know the Messiah (called Christ), is coming". Verse (26) says: "Then Jesus declared, 'I who speak to you am he.'" / The woman had not immediately recognized Christ for who he was, but Jesus was patient, forgiving, answered her questions and revealed himself deliberately. Often, it takes time for people to recognize God in their lives. As Jesus showed us- that's ok. [hide]

cly at a Synagogue in Galilee. At the time, there was a lot of buzz about Jesus. Some said, (12) ..."He is a good man." Others said, "No, he deceives the people." Religious leaders hated Jesus, as he continued to gain influence. On this day, when he prached, he amazed the crowds and infuriated Jewish leaders who wondered, (15) ..."How did this man get such learning without having studied?" Jesus answered by humbly stating, (16) ..."My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me." Jesus asked the leaders why were they not obeying the laws of Moses and why they wanted to kill him? Also, because he had aggravated the leaders by healing a non-Jewish man, he asked, (23) ..."Why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath?" (24) "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make it a right judgment". You see, Jewish men were circumcised. Non-Jews were not (thus the word, "whole" in verse 23). Even in the face of great danger, Jesus courageously called out the pompous religious leaders for their arrogant and non-inclusive ways and stood up for his values. [hide]

predicted was coming). The full verse says (33) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". At this point in time, Jesus' disciples still were not quite sure what Jesus was talking about when he said to them... "In a little while, you will see me no more..." He told them, "You will grieve...", but also said, "I will see you again..." Jesus told his disciples that he was no longer going to be talking "figuratively" to them, but "plainly". In verse (28) he, says, I came from the Father and entered the world: now I am leaving the world and going back to the father." Jesus then accurately predicted that the disciples would scatter upon his arrest, but reassured them that in spite of the struggles they would face, he would always be with them- that the ultimate battle was won. These are reassuring words in troubled times. [hide]

Peter on the beach by the Sea of Tiberias. It was the third time Jesus had appeared to the disciples since his death, just a few weeks after his crucifixion. Jesus spoke to Peter to make sure that he truly had his life's commitment after Peter had previously disowned Jesus three times. So, Jesus asked Peter three times in a row if he truly loved him- if he really, truly loved Jesus. Each time, Peter answered, "Yes". And each time, Jesus would follow by asking Peter to, "Feed my sheep". Verse (17) says, "... Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you". Jesus said, "Feed my sheep". You see, it was one thing to say that you "loved" Jesus; another to show that you were willing to "serve" him. Peter was sincere his disposition changed from one of impulsiveness to one of reflective, heart-felt commitment. Jesus wants our love to be authentic and won't settle a superficial relationship. That's keeping it real. [hide]

here, to reveal the full identity of Christ about 95 year after his death. It is God's plan for the world at the appointed time that Jesus returns to rescue his people and settle accounts with those who have defied him. In chapter 3, Jesus addresses the Church in Laodicea, the wealthiest of the seven churches, yet a city that had become half-hearted in-name-only Christians, complacent and self-indulgent. Jesus wanted to open their eyes, while also letting them know that although they had drifted, he still cared about and was there for them, and said, (19) "Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. (20) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me". (21) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne". Isn't it wonderful that Jesus is patient and persistent, and never gives up on us? [hide]