Stretch Forth Your HandJesus knew the critical thoughts of the religious leaders. He understood their hostility. Yet He did not allow their reaction to dictate His obedience to the Father. He called ...  Read More

Watching for an AccusationThe scribes and Pharisees fixed their eyes on Jesus. They watched for a miracle not with hope, but with hostility. They wanted to use the man’s healing as evidence against Je...  Read More

 A Withered Hand in the SynagogueJesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. A man with a withered right hand was also there. The religious leaders watched Jesus closely. They were not hoping for a ...  Read More

Beyond the House RulesThe Pharisees were enforcing their house rules on everyone else. They treated their preferences as God’s requirements. Jesus confronted this error directly. He showed that God’s ...  Read More

Lord of the SabbathJesus did not end the debate with a story. He ended it with a declaration of His identity. He said, “The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” He claimed absolute authority over ...  Read More

Have You Not Read?Jesus answered the Pharisees with a question. “Have ye not read what David did?” He pointed them to a story in 1 Samuel they knew well. When David was hungry, he ate the sacred bread...  Read More

The Loudest Accusation Isn't Always RightThe Pharisees saw the disciples eating and immediately accused them. “Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?” They spoke with confidence...  Read More

 A Good Gift Becomes a Heavy BurdenJesus walked with His disciples through grain fields on the Sabbath. His hungry followers picked some heads of grain. They rubbed them in their hands and ate the ker...  Read More

From Spectator to WitnessLevi the tax collector heard Jesus say, "Follow me." He left his tax booth immediately. He did not just become a spectator. He prepared a feast and invited his friends to meet...  Read More

The Leaking Hose and the TapeA young man stood over a broken car engine. A cracked hose was leaking coolant. A mechanic pointed to the problem and said, "You need to replace that hose." But the young ...  Read More

The Man Who Prefers the OldJesus observed that a person who drinks old wine does not immediately want new wine. He says, ‘The old is good.’ This man has a settled preference. His taste is accustomed t...  Read More

 New Wine in Old WineskinsJesus gave another picture. He said no one puts new wine into old wineskins. New wine ferments and creates pressure. Old wineskins have already been stretched. They become br...  Read More