Study Desk

But the Lord replied, "You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water?

This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

"Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, ‘I don't know you or where you come from.'

Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'

"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.

But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.'

"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?

The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

"But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.

but he replied, ‘All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.

Then he said to them, "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

"Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.

But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God's law to be overturned.

"But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.