The Book of Mark

Ok, so this is how bad I am at the Bible....I knew that the Apostles wrote their stories of what happened during Jesus' lifetime (and they experienced it together) but I guess since I had never read it, I didn't think about how they would be so similar!  Duh!  So as I read Mark, Luke, and John, their similarities to Matthew are quite evident.  Please take this as a lesson to any of you out there that have also not read the Bible and learn from me that it's never too late.  I'm glad I'm doing it, even if I feel pretty dumb right now!

"If Jesus were to return today, would you be prepared?"  It's not too late! 

Today's Scriptures: The Book of Mark - Contents: 1:1 - 2:12 - Jesus' Introduction and Preparation; 2:13 -8:26 is about Jesus' public ministry; 8:27 - 10:52 are the stories of Jesus' teachings; and finally in 11:1 - 16:20 is the story of Jesus' trial, death and resurrection.  It can be found on  Bible.com.

Key Verse: Mark 10:45 - "In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served.  He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people."  

Application:  


My Thoughts: I love the stories that Jesus tells...I think I would have been someone that followed him around to hear his stories. A few of my favorites are the seed (Mark 4:13-20), and another seed (Mark 4:26-29), and still another (mustard) seed (Mark 4:30-34)!  

In Chapter 7, I find it interesting that he is differentiating between God's law and man's laws.  I have had issues with some of our church's traditions that seem to be more important than the most basic activities of church.  For example, incense must be done just this exact way every time, or specific motions must be performed when saying a prayer - touching your head a certain way, bowing at the waist when certain words are said....really?  Where does it say that in the Bible?  When did Jesus give us those rules and why must the church require such "traditions"?  Is it a sin if we don't do it this way?  I was taught by a priest that I loved and admired that we have traditions with a capital "T" and those with a small "t".  He further explained that those with the capital "T" can't be messed with, but those with the small "t" are more flexible.  I honestly forget now, which are which....but to me, if its not explained by the 10 Commandments (capital C), it would be a small "t".

Which brings me to a similar topic....I hear criticisms about the very large christian churches/fellowships that are "Bible based".  I don't really have a bone to pick with them since to me, they are very effective at getting the word - the Bible scriptures - out there to the masses.  Sometimes they are a little gimmicky but then just as Jesus did - they are going after the crowd that may not be comfortable with all those long-standing religious traditions...they can be confusing and put-offish to someone not raised with them.  It can even be stressful if they don't know what comes next or what memorized verse/prayer to say.  Imagine yourself going to a completely different religion as yours and trying to feel comfortable or at home.  No matter how kind the parishoners are, you wouldn't feel comfortable because its like a secret society and you don't know the secret handshake to get in.  Didn't Jesus go after the crowd that needed to be saved?  He taught by using stories so that the people could understand.  Its been my experience that when I listen to the stories on any given Sunday from these christian fellowships, they are teaching the same way...telling me a story about something in my world or something I can relate to and tying it to scripture, often retelling the Bible story along side the present day story.  I can appreciate their effort and am thankful so many fellow Christians attend, participate, and want to be there, not because of tradition, but because they choose to be present.  Mark 9:39-40 - "But Jesus said, "Don't stop him, because anyone who uses my name to do powerful things will not easily say evil things about me.  40 Whoever is not against us, is with us."  Enough said!

Finishing Matthew (16-28)

Yes, that's right!  I kept reading but was unable to post about it so here goes....

Today's Scriptures: Matthew 16-28 - I didn't copy it this time because there is too much to copy, however, it can be found on Bible.com.  I read the New Century Version.  Bible.com.

Application: "When did God open your eyes to Him? Tell someone about it."  Our "Cancer Saga" is my attempt to do just that.  As I've said before, God is in the details of my life.  See my other blog"Searching for Truths"

"Humility is a fruit of the Spirit, the results of his ministry in our hearts"...."Humility isn't the same as low self-esteem.  Being humble doesn't mean you think you have nothing to offer; it means you know exactly what you have to offer and no more." - Max Lucado         
I would change this ending a little bit...Being humble means you know what you have to offer but you let others discover it through your actions and words, you don't proclaim it or "toot your own horn". 
"Showing humility is through serving one another.  In this situation, Jesus was a wonderful teacher.....his whole life he served others.  He promised blessings to those who served and helped others."-Max Lucado

"Dependence on the grace of God results in God being glorified." - When are times that you put the needs of others ahead of yours?  "He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you.  Always.  No matter what." - Max Lucado

My Thoughts: I think these are some of the most recognizable stories since they are about the end of Jesus' life and his resurrection.  Jesus starts to tell his followers that he must die. I really like Max Lucado's lesson from his He Still Moves Stones....he says:

The lesson?  Three words. Don't give up...God is watching and for all you know, right at this moment, he may be telling an angel to move the stone.  Don't quit.  For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers.  God still sends angels and God still moves stones.

Matthew 14 and 15 - Even the dogs eat crumbs!

Today's Scriptures: Matthew 14 and 15 -  Three key teaching points in this reading from 15: 1) 11 It is not what people put into their mouths that makes them unclean. It is what comes out of their mouths that makes them unclean.”  and 2) 27 The woman said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table."  And finally, 3) 32-39: the story of the loaves and fishes.   It is copied below from Bible.com.

Application: Think on the above...ponder those verses and lessons.


My Thoughts: I love verse 11....I am far from perfect and could work on that one myself.  I can be critical and opinionated to an extent that is not helpful.  I will try to remember this verse to help me correct this....it's not that it's a new idea...just a good reminder.  However, I'm not sure I understand that story.  Specifically verse 5....I don't understand what the Pharisees laws were.  I get the general teaching of the lesson in 8-11, but don't understand the literal translation, I guess.

As I was reading "Jesus helps a Non-Jewish woman"....I was thinking, "Oh come on, he has to help her..." and of course he did.  But I like that it kind of showed a little tongue in cheek humor on Jesus part....and hers.  

I love the loaves and fishes story or stories - God will provide what we truly need if we have faith.  How awesome it must have been there to witness that particular miracle! (Didn't know he did it twice...did he, or did Matthew just write about it twice?)


14  How John the Baptist Was Killed

1 At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard the reports about Jesus. 2 So he said to his servants, “Jesus is John the Baptist, who has risen from the dead. That is why he can work these miracles.”

3 Sometime before this, Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him into prison. Herod did this because of Herodias, who had been the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to be married to Herodias.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they believed John was a prophet.

6 On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, and she pleased him. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted. 8 Herodias told her daughter what to ask for, so she said to Herod, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 Although King Herod was very sad, he had made a promise, and his dinner guests had heard him. So Herod ordered that what she asked for be done. 10 He sent soldiers to the prison to cut off John’s head. 11 And they brought it on a platter and gave it to the girl, and she took it to her mother. 12 John’s followers came and got his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

More than Five Thousand Fed

13 When Jesus heard what had happened to John, he left in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. But the crowds heard about it and followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he arrived, he saw a great crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them and healed those who were sick.

15 When it was evening, his followers came to him and said, “No one lives in this place, and it is already late. Send the people away so they can go to the towns and buy food for themselves.”

16 But Jesus answered, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 They said to him, “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish.”

18 Jesus said, “Bring the bread and the fish to me.” 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking to heaven, he thanked God for the food. Jesus divided the bread and gave it to his followers, who gave it to the people. 20 All the people ate and were satisfied. Then the followers filled twelve baskets with the leftover pieces of food. 21 There were about five thousand men there who ate, not counting women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus told his followers to get into the boat and go ahead of him across the lake. He stayed there to send the people home. 23 After he had sent them away, he went by himself up into the hills to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone. 24 By this time, the boat was already far away from land. It was being hit by waves, because the wind was blowing against it.

25 Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. 26 When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus quickly spoke to them, “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 Peter said, “Lord, if it is really you, then command me to come to you on the water.”

29 Jesus said, “Come.”

And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. Jesus said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?”

32 After they got into the boat, the wind became calm. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

34 When they had crossed the lake, they came to shore at Gennesaret. 35 When the people there recognized Jesus, they told people all around there that Jesus had come, and they brought all their sick to him. 36 They begged Jesus to let them touch just the edge of his coat, and all who touched it were healed.

15 Obey God’s Law

1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem. They asked him, 2 “Why don’t your followers obey the unwritten laws which have been handed down to us? They don’t wash their hands before they eat.”

3 Jesus answered, “And why do you refuse to obey God’s command so that you can follow your own teachings? 4 God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Anyone who says cruel things to his father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say a person can tell his father or mother, ‘I have something I could use to help you, but I have given it to God already.’ 6 You teach that person not to honor his father or his mother. You rejected what God said for the sake of your own rules. 7 You are hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he said about you:

8 ‘These people show honor to me with words,

but their hearts are far from me.

9 Their worship of me is worthless.

The things they teach are nothing but human rules.’ ”

10 After Jesus called the crowd to him, he said, “Listen and understand what I am saying. 11 It is not what people put into their mouths that makes them unclean. It is what comes out of their mouths that makes them unclean.”

12 Then his followers came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees are angry because of what you said?”

13 Jesus answered, “Every plant that my Father in heaven has not planted himself will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Stay away from the Pharisees; they are blind leaders. And if a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a ditch.”

15 Peter said, “Explain the example to us.”

16 Jesus said, “Do you still not understand? 17 Surely you know that all the food that enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then goes out of the body. 18 But what people say with their mouths comes from the way they think; these are the things that make people unclean. 19 Out of the mind come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual sins, stealing, lying, and speaking evil of others. 20 These things make people unclean; eating with unwashed hands does not make them unclean.”

Jesus Helps a Non-Jewish Woman

21 Jesus left that place and went to the area of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that area came to Jesus and cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter has a demon, and she is suffering very much.”

23 But Jesus did not answer the woman. So his followers came to Jesus and begged him, “Tell the woman to go away. She is following us and shouting.”

24 Jesus answered, “God sent me only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”

25 Then the woman came to Jesus again and bowed before him and said, “Lord, help me!”

26 Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs.”

27 The woman said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! I will do what you asked.” And at that moment the woman’s daughter was healed.

Jesus Heals Many People

29 After leaving there, Jesus went along the shore of Lake Galilee. He went up on a hill and sat there.

30 Great crowds came to Jesus, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, those who could not speak, and many others. They put them at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them. 31 The crowd was amazed when they saw that people who could not speak before were now able to speak. The crippled were made strong. The lame could walk, and the blind could see. And they praised the God of Israel for this.

More than Four Thousand Fed

32 Jesus called his followers to him and said, “I feel sorry for these people, because they have already been with me three days, and they have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry. They might faint while going home.”

33 His followers asked him, “How can we get enough bread to feed all these people? We are far away from any town.”

34 Jesus asked, “How many loaves of bread do you have?”

They answered, “Seven, and a few small fish.”

35 Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God. Then he divided the food and gave it to his followers, and they gave it to the people. 37 All the people ate and were satisfied. Then his followers filled seven baskets with the leftover pieces of food. 38 There were about four thousand men there who ate, besides women and children. 39 After sending the people home, Jesus got into the boat and went to the area of Magadan.

Matthew 13 - Seeds and you can't be a prophet in your own home

Today's Scripture: Matthew 13 -  (Let me start by apologizing for not writing this week.  I think God understands - we had alot of emotional distractions this week.)  I liked this scripture.  Relatively easy to understand about how God will separate the good from the bad when this age ends.  But the last verses  53-58 were the most surprising to me because I didn't know where that saying came from...now I do!  It is copied below from Bible.com.

Application:Max Lucado talks about "good ideas" and "God ideas".  He says, "the tendency of a well-meaning person is to prepare a plan to do some good idea and then pray, 'Jesus, this is my plan.  It is a good plan. It hurts no one, and I want it to please You.  Lord, please bless my plan.'....it is plan, then pray."  "So many of our ideas are not what God has planned. We have good ideas but they are not God ideas; his agenda and our agenda conflict."  "When you and I abandon our good idea and fall face down to let God plan, then he can work with us.  He will reveal a God idea....so its pray first, then plan." (from Walking with Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick M Morley)

My Thoughts: I am constantly amazed!  Two things happened this week that need mentioned.  I was seriously thinking about why I was writing this and whether or not it mattered and I had a dream where just a word was ever present and very forward(?) in my dream....it was "continue"!  So I will.  I have a friend that says she "hears" God's messages very clearly as if he was talking to her....not me, ever in my life.  Maybe He's tried and I just don't listen very well.  But this time....I don't know...I wasn't really pondering the blog, although I had, and this word came forward that didn't really relate to anything in my "dream" or thoughts at the moment.  I remember thinking, "What does that mean?  Why am I thinking that?"  But it so fit what I had been pondering, that I must assume it was a message.  I guess I already posted this in an earlier blog from this week....sorry for the repetition.

The second thing is that as I returned to work this week, many were asking how my daughter was doing and as I informed many of them of the latest episode in our cancer saga, I said to quite a few that my story is long and I tell it full of details (if I have the time) but that "God is in the details"; meaning that it is in the details where you can most see God in our life.  Now don't you agree it is a little ironic that the quote from my Max Lucado Bible for this verse is from Morley's Walking with Christ in the Details of Life??!?  I didn't pick that...I didn't know that before I just typed it 10 minutes ago.....Hmmm....messages!  I take it as little affirmations that I am on the right track - thinking or doing what God wants me to do.  (Of, course I could be totally crazy but I prefer to think the opposite!)

As I mentioned earlier, we had a heck of a week as far as emotions, decisions, and stressors.  Devon, our cancer survivor, was told in December that she has 3 choices to save her kidneys, two of which are an amputation of the leg that they saved 10 years ago.  I will not go into this here as I'm trying to keep the cancer saga separate.  However, I just want to say that despite the horrible prospects of this, there are upsides - more function, more mobility, and maybe she can start her life...again.  But it won't be without pain and sacrifice and lots of work on her part....so its very scary.  I'm not sure what any of this has to do with this week's readings so I'll stop....but please understand if I don't have "daily" writings.


A Story About Planting Seed

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Large crowds gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat down, while the people stood on the shore. 3 Then Jesus used stories to teach them many things. He said: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. 4 While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it all up. 5 Some seed fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep. 6 But when the sun rose, the plants dried up, because they did not have deep roots. 7 Some other seed fell among thorny weeds, which grew and choked the good plants. 8 Some other seed fell on good ground where it grew and produced a crop. Some plants made a hundred times more, some made sixty times more, and some made thirty times more. 9 Let those with ears use them and listen.”

Why Jesus Used Stories to Teach

10 The followers came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you use stories to teach the people?”

11 Jesus answered, “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, but others cannot know these secrets. 12 Those who have understanding will be given more, and they will have all they need. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them. 13 This is why I use stories to teach the people: They see, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really hear or understand. 14 So they show that the things Isaiah said about them are true:

‘You will listen and listen, but you will not understand.

You will look and look, but you will not learn.

15 For the minds of these people have become stubborn.

They do not hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might really understand

what they see with their eyes

and hear with their ears.

They might really understand in their minds

and come back to me and be healed.’

16 But you are blessed, because you see with your eyes and hear with your ears. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and good people wanted to see the things that you now see, but they did not see them. And they wanted to hear the things that you now hear, but they did not hear them.

Jesus Explains the Seed Story

18 “So listen to the meaning of that story about the farmer. 19 What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the message about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away what was planted in that person’s heart. 20 And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy. 21 But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up. 22 And what is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and the temptation of wealth stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not produce fruit in that person’s life. 23 But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes a hundred times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes thirty times more.”

A Story About Wheat and Weeds

24 Then Jesus told them another story: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field. 25 That night, when everyone was asleep, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat and then left. 26 Later, the wheat sprouted and the heads of grain grew, but the weeds also grew. 27 Then the man’s servants came to him and said, ‘You planted good seed in your field. Where did the weeds come from?’ 28 The man answered, ‘An enemy planted weeds.’ The servants asked, ‘Do you want us to pull up the weeds?’ 29 The man answered, ‘No, because when you pull up the weeds, you might also pull up the wheat. 30 Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time. At harvest time I will tell the workers, “First gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.” ’ ”

Stories of Mustard Seed and Yeast

31 Then Jesus told another story: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. 32 That seed is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes big enough for the wild birds to come and build nests in its branches.”

33 Then Jesus told another story: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and hid in a large tub of flour until it made all the dough rise.”

34 Jesus used stories to tell all these things to the people; he always used stories to teach them. 35 This is as the prophet said:

“I will speak using stories;

I will tell things that have been secret since the world was made.”

Jesus Explains About the Weeds

36 Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His followers came to him and said, “Explain to us the meaning of the story about the weeds in the field.”

37 Jesus answered, “The man who planted the good seed in the field is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed are all of God’s children who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are those people who belong to the Evil One. 39 And the enemy who planted the bad seed is the devil. The harvest time is the end of the age, and the workers who gather are God’s angels.

40 “Just as the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all who cause sin and all who do evil. 42 The angels will throw them into the blazing furnace, where the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain. 43 Then the good people will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let those with ears use them and listen.

Stories of a Treasure and a Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field.

45 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a man looking for fine pearls. 46  When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

A Story of a Fishing Net

47 “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake and caught many different kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. They sat down and put all the good fish in baskets and threw away the bad fish. 49 It will be this way at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the good people. 50 The angels will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.”

51 Jesus asked his followers, “Do you understand all these things?”

They answered, “Yes, we understand.”

52 Then Jesus said to them, “So every teacher of the law who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He brings out both new things and old things he has saved.”

Jesus Goes to His Hometown

53 When Jesus finished teaching with these stories, he left there. 54 He went to his hometown and taught the people in the synagogue, and they were amazed. They said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and this power to do miracles? 55 He is just the son of a carpenter. His mother is Mary, and his brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56 And all his sisters are here with us. Where then does this man get all these things?” 57 So the people were upset with Jesus.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and in his own home.”

58 So he did not do many miracles there because they had no faith.

Matthew 12 - Rest on the Sabbath

Today's Scripture: Matthew 12 - Per Max Lucado: Jesus overruled the Jewish traditions about the Sabbath to focus on God's purpose in establishing this command.  When God commanded the Israelites not to work on the Sabbath, Jesus knew that the law was given to relieve people; it is not a sin to care for people, or take care of one's own needs, or to help people on the Sabbath.  The purpose of the Sabbath rest is physical and emotional renewal, but also fellowship - a space reserved just for relaxing and hanging out.  However, rest without spiritual rest is incomplete.  We may take vacations but we can't find true renewal without the spiritual renewal as well.  It is copied below from Bible.com.

Application:  How do you keep the Sabbath command?  What makes Sunday a unique day for you?  How can you avoid a "business as usual" day? 

My Thoughts: I'm fortunate that I don't have a job that requires me to work on Sundays. However, as a nurse, I have many friends that are still nursing and MUST work on Sundays.  We don't always attend church...something I'm not proud of but we got out of the routine about 10 years ago when my daughter was fighting cancer and its been very difficult to get back in the habit.  We had a priest friend at the time that said "Priests are only human and make human mistakes, too."  We had a few of those happen during our time of need and so we lost a little faith in the church...not faith in God and the Holy Trinity, but in the church.  Since then, I have become very aware of my own spiritual renewal and almost think I am doing better without a formal church. I find myself to be inquisitive, talkative, and sharing about Jesus in my life more so than when I attended church out of obligation. Not that I wouldn't like to try to go back regularly but I have a different outlook about the church than I did before the cancer.  It is a human institution and only as holy as the members and priests make it.  Likewise, it is still as fallible as members and priests make it.  So MY relationship with God is what has become most important to me and hopefully I am doing right by him.  Keeping my Sabbath a day of rest....I had just told my family a few weeks ago that I was going to work on that more (less work for the coming week - do it Saturday, if I must). This should help the whole family to keep the Sabbath as a day of rest, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. 



Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

1 At that time Jesus was walking through some fields of grain on a Sabbath day. His followers were hungry, so they began to pick the grain and eat it. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Jesus, “Look! Your followers are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath day.”

3 Jesus answered, “Have you not read what David did when he and the people with him were hungry? 4 He went into God’s house, and he and those with him ate the holy bread, which was lawful only for priests to eat. 5And have you not read in the law of Moses that on every Sabbath day the priests in the Temple break this law about the Sabbath day? But the priests are not wrong for doing that. 6 I tell you that there is something here that is greater than the Temple. 7The Scripture says, ‘I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices.’ You don’t really know what those words mean. If you understood them, you would not judge those who have done nothing wrong.

8“So the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day.”

Jesus Heals a Man’s Hand

9Jesus left there and went into their synagogue, 10 where there was a man with a crippled hand. They were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they asked him, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath day?”

11 Jesus answered, “If any of you has a sheep, and it falls into a ditch on the Sabbath day, you will help it out of the ditch. 12 Surely a human being is more important than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good things on the Sabbath day.”

13 Then Jesus said to the man with the crippled hand, “Hold out your hand.” The man held out his hand, and it became well again, like the other hand. 14 But the Pharisees left and made plans to kill Jesus.

Jesus Is God’s Chosen Servant

15 Jesus knew what the Pharisees were doing, so he left that place. Many people followed him, and he healed all who were sick. 16 But Jesus warned the people not to tell who he was. 17 He did these things to bring about what Isaiah the prophet had said:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen.

I love him, and I am pleased with him.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will tell of my justice to all people.

19 He will not argue or cry out;

no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 He will not break a crushed blade of grass

or put out even a weak flame

until he makes justice win the victory.

21 In him will the non-Jewish people find hope.”

Jesus’ Power Is from God

22 Then some people brought to Jesus a man who was blind and could not talk, because he had a demon. Jesus healed the man so that he could talk and see. 23 All the people were amazed and said, “Perhaps this man is the Son of David!”

24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people.”

25 Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking, so he said to them, “Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And any city or family that is divided against itself will not continue. 26 And if Satan forces out himself, then Satan is divided against himself, and his kingdom will not continue. 27 You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons. If that is true, then what power do your people use to force out demons? So they will be your judges. 28 But if I use the power of God’s Spirit to force out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

29 “If anyone wants to enter a strong person’s house and steal his things, he must first tie up the strong person. Then he can steal the things from the house.

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me. Whoever does not work with me is working against me. 31 So I tell you, people can be forgiven for every sin and everything they say against God. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, now or in the future.

People Know You by Your Words

33 “If you want good fruit, you must make the tree good. If your tree is not good, it will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. 34 You snakes! You are evil people, so how can you say anything good? The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart. 35 Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things. 36 And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said. 37 The words you have said will be used to judge you. Some of your words will prove you right, but some of your words will prove you guilty.”

The People Ask for a Miracle

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law answered Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want to see you work a miracle as a sign.”

39 Jesus answered, “Evil and sinful people are the ones who want to see a miracle for a sign. But no sign will be given to them, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 Jonah was in the stomach of the big fish for three days and three nights. In the same way, the Son of Man will be in the grave three days and three nights. 41 On the Judgment Day the people from Nineveh will stand up with you people who live now, and they will show that you are guilty. When Jonah preached to them, they were sorry and changed their lives. And I tell you that someone greater than Jonah is here. 42 On the Judgment Day, the Queen of the South will stand up with you people who live today. She will show that you are guilty, because she came from far away to listen to Solomon’s wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is here.

People Today Are Full of Evil

43 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest, but it doesn’t find it. 44 So the spirit says, ‘I will go back to the house I left.’ When the spirit comes back, it finds the house still empty, swept clean, and made neat. 45 Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits even more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before. It is the same way with the evil people who live today.”

Jesus’ True Family

46 While Jesus was talking to the people, his mother and brothers stood outside, trying to find a way to talk to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to talk to you.”

48 He answered, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his followers and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what my Father in heaven wants.”

Matthew 10 & 11 - Continue

Today's Scripture: Matthew 10 & 11 - 

28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. 30 The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”

It is copied below from Bible.com.

Application: Jesus promised hard times, but he also promised comfort.  

My Thoughts: I have been thinking about this scripture yet I don't have alot to say about it.  I think its pretty self-explanatory and I don't really have an insight into my own life about this right now. Even Max Lucado doesn't have a very repeatable piece on these readings.  So I guess this is a short post.

Unrelated but maybe interesting....I was wondering if I should keep up with this blog.  I'm not sure that anyone is reading it, my family hasn't made any posts, and so I was pondering whether or not to continue.  I can tell by the number of hits that I get that there are people opening it (presumably reading it) or maybe just stumbling on it by accident.  So I was kind of sleeping/dreaming last night and I "heard" the word "continue"....not like a voice....but just a strong sense of the word "continue" in my head or my dream.  It wasn't like I had been really stressed about writing this blog or had even really given it much thought but I feel that this was an answer and who am I to argue with that thought.  So on I go....


10  Jesus Sends Out His Apostles

1 Jesus called his twelve followers together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon (also called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who turned against Jesus.

5 Jesus sent out these twelve men with the following order: “Don’t go to the non-Jewish people or to any town where the Samaritans live. 6 But go to the people of Israel, who are like lost sheep. 7 When you go, preach this: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead to life again, heal those who have skin diseases, and force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help other people freely. 9 Don’t carry any money with you—gold or silver or copper. 10 Don’t carry a bag or extra clothes or sandals or a walking stick. Workers should be given what they need.

11 “When you enter a city or town, find some worthy person there and stay in that home until you leave. 12 When you enter that home, say, ‘Peace be with you.’ 13 If the people there welcome you, let your peace stay there. But if they don’t welcome you, take back the peace you wished for them. 14 And if a home or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake its dust off your feet. 15 I tell you the truth, on the Judgment Day it will be better for the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah than for the people of that town.

Jesus Warns His Apostles

16 “Listen, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as clever as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be careful of people, because they will arrest you and take you to court and whip you in their synagogues. 18 Because of me you will be taken to stand before governors and kings, and you will tell them and the non-Jewish people about me. 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given the things to say. 20 It will not really be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brothers will give their own brothers to be killed, and fathers will give their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and have them put to death. 22 All people will hate you because you follow me, but those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved. 23 When you are treated badly in one city, run to another city. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A student is not better than his teacher, and a servant is not better than his master. 25 A student should be satisfied to become like his teacher; a servant should be satisfied to become like his master. If the head of the family is called Beelzebul, then the other members of the family will be called worse names!

Fear God, Not People

26 “So don’t be afraid of those people, because everything that is hidden will be shown. Everything that is secret will be made known. 27 I tell you these things in the dark, but I want you to tell them in the light. What you hear whispered in your ear you should shout from the housetops. 28 Don’t be afraid of people, who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. The only one you should fear is the one who can destroy the soul and the body in hell. 29 Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it. 30 God even knows how many hairs are on your head. 31 So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Tell People About Your Faith

32 “All those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me. 33 But all who stand before others and say they do not believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they do not belong to me.

34 “Don’t think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 I have come so that

‘a son will be against his father,

a daughter will be against her mother,

a daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law.

36 A person’s enemies will be members of his own family.’

37 “Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. 38 Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life. 40 Whoever accepts you also accepts me, and whoever accepts me also accepts the One who sent me. 41 Whoever meets a prophet and accepts him will receive the reward of a prophet. And whoever accepts a good person because that person is good will receive the reward of a good person. 42 Those who give one of these little ones a cup of cold water because they are my followers will truly get their reward.”

11 Jesus and John the Baptist

1 After Jesus finished telling these things to his twelve followers, he left there and went to the towns in Galilee to teach and preach.

2 John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about what the Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. 3 They asked him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?”

4 Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind can see, the crippled can walk, and people with skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. 6 Those who do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed.”

7 As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus began talking to the people about John. Jesus said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed blown by the wind? 8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes live in kings’ palaces. 9 So why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. 10 This was written about him:

‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare the way for you.’

11 I tell you the truth, John the Baptist is greater than any other person ever born, but even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. 12 Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength, and people have been trying to take it by force. 13 All the prophets and the law of Moses told about what would happen until the time John came. 14 And if you will believe what they said, you will believe that John is Elijah, whom they said would come. 15 Let those with ears use them and listen!

16 “What can I say about the people of this time? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, who call out to each other,

17 ‘We played music for you, but you did not dance;

we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.’

18 John came and did not eat or drink like other people. So people say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine, and he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by what she does.”

Jesus Warns Unbelievers

20 Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles, because the people did not change their lives and stop sinning. 21 He said, “How terrible for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! If the same miracles I did in you had happened in Tyre and Sidon, those people would have changed their lives a long time ago. They would have worn rough cloth and put ashes on themselves to show they had changed. 22 But I tell you, on the Judgment Day it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to the depths. If the miracles I did in you had happened in Sodom, its people would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today. 24 But I tell you, on the Judgment Day it will be better for Sodom than for you.”

Jesus Offers Rest to People

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the people who are wise and smart. But you have shown them to those who are like little children. 26 Yes, Father, this is what you really wanted.

27 “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son, except the Father. And no one knows the Father, except the Son and those whom the Son chooses to tell.

28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. 30 The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”

Matthew 8 and 9 - Jesus Heals

Today's Scripture: Matthew 8 and 9 -  These are the stories of Jesus' healing people that have been brought to him or that he visits while teaching.  It is copied below from Bible.com.

Application: "Please remember that these stories are not to help us look back in amazement but forward in faith.  The God who spoke still speaks. The God who forgave still forgives, The God who came still comes." (He still moves stones, by Max Lucado)


My Thoughts: The God who heals, still heals?  This is a tough one for our family and for many families touched by cancer (for one).  Clearly, I haven't lost my faith in God or that there is a God but of all the ways I know God has come into my life...the healing piece is the biggest void and mystery.  I feel I've heard it all..."this is a test" (which implies we/I am failing it), "he has healed you or your daughter in the manner appropriate but it may not be the way you wanted" (what exactly does that mean?...she lives but still must suffer?)  There is more hypothesizing but basically - we don't know.  We don't know or understand why some people of faith are never healed; why some people die; and why some people go on to live even more challenging lives with constant challenges and setbacks.  I guess the book of Job would offer insight here but I don't think any of us wish to be likened to Job.  "The scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope" (Romans 15:4) And hope is really all we have...that someday it will get better; that the dead are somewhere better; and that those that suffer are part of a bigger plan that will be revealed and will have made it all worth it.  

I don't think its just me, but when you pray so intently and you literally have people all over the world (most of whom you don't know) praying for her healing and it still doesn't work...(or did it? - she's alive and many aren't)...isn't it natural or human to ask "why?"  I'm not asking why she got cancer - that was not God....I believe that is our messed up ecological system, or the food we fed her, or who knows...not genetic, they say, but could have been hormonal in utero....we don't know and don't care.  But why, when it feels like you are doing everything right, according to scripture, are prayers not answered?  We KNOW He has the power to heal everything and yet He doesn't.  Please don't read this as I'm mad or angry or need a therapist (I have a good one, thanks!), its just my human nature to ask why aren't people healed when they have the faith to ask to be healed?   "16 That evening people brought to Jesus many who had demons. Jesus spoke and the demons left them, and he healed all the sick. 17 He did these things to bring about what Isaiah the prophet had said:

“He took our suffering on him

and carried our diseases.”

Because I don't want anyone to think that we go around moping daily and cursing our lives (totally the wrong picture), I need to repeat that we have MUCH faith that God is with us as we travel this earth and he has shown us his presence in many ways.  Prayers have been answered and miracles have occurred - I'm sure more of these will come out as I continue to journal.  But this scripture talks specifically about "healing" the sick and Devon, after 9 years, is still battling the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis. The upside - she is still alive where many others aren't -  but the downside is that the battle has never ended, the enemy just changes.  I will begin to put her story on another page for those that are interested (it won't be done in one sitting).   A warning that it is long and I can get very detailed in telling it because sometimes, that's where you find the miracles that have occurred.  (On another but similar note - my breast cancer was cured and I have been cancer free for 5 years!)

 "I believe that nothing that happens to me is meaningless, and that it is good for us all that it should be so, even if it runs counter to our own wishes. As I see it, I'm here for some purpose, and I only hope I may fulfill it. In the light of the great purpose, all our privations and disappointments are trivial." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

8 - Jesus Heals a Sick Man

1 When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. 2 Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, “Lord, you can heal me if you will.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!” And immediately the man was healed from his disease. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. But go and show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded for people who are made well. This will show the people what I have done.”

Jesus Heals a Soldier’s Servant

5 When Jesus entered the city of Capernaum, an army officer came to him, begging for help. 6 The officer said, “Lord, my servant is at home in bed. He can’t move his body and is in much pain.”

7 Jesus said to the officer, “I will go and heal him.”

8 The officer answered, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to come into my house. You only need to command it, and my servant will be healed. 9 I, too, am a man under the authority of others, and I have soldiers under my command. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant does it.

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those who were following him, “I tell you the truth, this is the greatest faith I have found, even in Israel. 11 Many people will come from the east and from the west and will sit and eat with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But those people who should be in the kingdom will be thrown outside into the darkness, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.”

13 Then Jesus said to the officer, “Go home. Your servant will be healed just as you believed he would.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Jesus Heals Many People

14 When Jesus went to Peter’s house, he saw that Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. 15 Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she stood up and began to serve Jesus.

16 That evening people brought to Jesus many who had demons. Jesus spoke and the demons left them, and he healed all the sick. 17 He did these things to bring about what Isaiah the prophet had said:

“He took our suffering on him

and carried our diseases.”

People Want to Follow Jesus

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he told his followers to go to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, I will follow you any place you go.”

20 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes to live in, and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to rest his head.”

21 Another man, one of Jesus’ followers, said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the people who are dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms a Storm

23 Jesus got into a boat, and his followers went with him. 24 A great storm arose on the lake so that waves covered the boat, but Jesus was sleeping. 25 His followers went to him and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We will drown!”

26 Jesus answered, “Why are you afraid? You don’t have enough faith.” Then Jesus got up and gave a command to the wind and the waves, and it became completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and said, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

28  When Jesus arrived at the other side of the lake in the area of the Gadarene people, two men who had demons in them met him. These men lived in the burial caves and were so dangerous that people could not use the road by those caves. 29 They shouted, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before the right time?”

30 Near that place there was a large herd of pigs feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you make us leave these men, please send us into that herd of pigs.”

32 Jesus said to them, “Go!” So the demons left the men and went into the pigs. Then the whole herd rushed down the hill into the lake and were drowned. 33 The herdsmen ran away and went into town, where they told about all of this and what had happened to the men who had demons. 34 Then the whole town went out to see Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their area.

9 - Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

1 Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 2 Some people brought to Jesus a man who was paralyzed and lying on a mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, young man. Your sins are forgiven.”

3 Some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This man speaks as if he were God. That is blasphemy!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil thoughts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to tell him, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Stand up, take your mat, and go home.” 7 And the man stood up and went home. 8When the people saw this, they were amazed and praised God for giving power like this to human beings.

Jesus Chooses Matthew

9 When Jesus was leaving, he saw a man named Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s booth. Jesus said to him, “Follow me,” and he stood up and followed Jesus.

10 As Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with Jesus and his followers. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked Jesus’ followers, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard them, he said, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices.’ I did not come to invite good people but to invite sinners.”

Jesus’ Followers Are Criticized

14 Then the followers of John came to Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast for a certain time, but your followers don’t?”

15 Jesus answered, “The friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast.

16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth over a hole in an old coat. If he does, the patch will shrink and pull away from the coat, making the hole worse. 17 Also, people never pour new wine into old leather bags. Otherwise, the bags will break, the wine will spill, and the wine bags will be ruined. But people always pour new wine into new wine bags. Then both will continue to be good.”

Jesus Gives Life to a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

18 While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the synagogue came to him. He bowed down before Jesus and said, “My daughter has just died. But if you come and lay your hand on her, she will live again.” 19 So Jesus and his followers stood up and went with the leader.

20 Then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat. 21 She was thinking, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw the woman and said, “Be encouraged, dear woman. You are made well because you believed.” And the woman was healed from that moment on.

23 Jesus continued along with the leader and went into his house. There he saw the funeral musicians and many people crying. 24 Jesus said, “Go away. The girl is not dead, only asleep.” But the people laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been thrown out of the house, Jesus went into the girl’s room and took hold of her hand, and she stood up. 26 The news about this spread all around the area.

Jesus Heals More People

27 When Jesus was leaving there, two blind men followed him. They cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

28 After Jesus went inside, the blind men went with him. He asked the men, “Do you believe that I can make you see again?”

They answered, “Yes, Lord.”

29 Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because you believe I can make you see again, it will happen.” 30 Then the men were able to see. But Jesus warned them strongly, saying, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” 31 But the blind men left and spread the news about Jesus all around that area.

32 When the two men were leaving, some people brought another man to Jesus. This man could not talk because he had a demon in him. 33 After Jesus forced the demon to leave the man, he was able to speak. The crowd was amazed and said, “We have never seen anything like this in Israel.”

34 But the Pharisees said, “The prince of demons is the one that gives him power to force demons out.”

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News about the kingdom, and healing all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. 36 When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Jesus said to his followers, “There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them. 38 Pray to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that he will send more workers to gather his harvest.”