The Life of Jesus

“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”

But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him.

And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”

“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.

But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

And He and His disciples went on to another village.

As they were walking along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.”

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit.

And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road.

Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’

If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.