Study Desk

I have not come to gather those who think they are show cattle, but the ones who know they are the mavericks, renegades, and strays. I've come to show them a better way of life riding for me."

He went into the church and took the holy bread they use for ceremonies. Now you and I both know that the bread can only be eaten by the preachers, but David gave it to his men."

Jesus paused for dramatic effect and made sure everyone was watching as he said, "Show me your hand." When the guy raised his hand up, it was healed.

They all came to listen to Jesus's clinics on how to ride for God and be healed of the cankers, cancers, and even their demons.

Jesus continued, "It's going to be rough going for those of you who ride for me. You'll be hated, insulted, and even shut out because of your decision. But when this happens, you will be blessed.

"But a bad day is comin' for those of you who are rich, because you've had life so easy.

A bad day is comin' for those of you who are full, because one day you're going to starve. A bad day is comin' for those who laugh at misery, because one day you will be bawlin' like a baby.

Bless those who cuss you. Pray for those who pick on you.

If you're only cordial to nice people, you ain't going to get a cookie for good behavior. Even sinners love folks who love them.

Listen as I tell you what it's like when someone rides for me and does what I tell him to.

The marshal has done a lot for our country and he has helped build some of our churches."

I work for someone myself and I also have people who work for me. If I tell someone to do something, they do it. I can tell someone else to go somewhere and they will go. I don't have to go somewhere in order to know my word will be done."

When they got close, there was a dead man being carried out for burial. He was the only son of a widow whose husband had died many years before. Many accompanied the widow in the funeral march.

When Jesus saw her, he felt real sorry for so he said, "Don't cry ma'am."

This is the cowboy who the Good Book said would come to clear a path for the Top Hand.

Well, not all of them. The religious code keepers and teachers heard Jesus but they refused to listen. They wouldn't be baptized by John and so they didn't get the great promise God had planned for them.

They are like the fans in the stands while the cowboys stand in the arena and talk to them. The cowboys say to them, 'We rode the rough stock for you and got bucked off, but you didn't cheer because you wanted to see us rope. We roped fast and quick, but you didn't clap because no one got bucked off.'

There was a lady from town who wasn't really known for being a "lady." She heard Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house and so she showed up with an expensive bottle of perfume.

Cattle prices were way down and neither rancher could afford to pay the cowboy, so he told them both not to worry about it and take care of their families. Tell me, which one would have the most respect for the cowboy?"

Joanna, whose husband Chuza had been a boss for Herod; Susanna; and a few more women. They are the ones who provided the funds for Jesus and his cowboys.