Study Desk

For every tree is known by its own fruit. Men do not gather figs from thorns. They do not gather grapes from thistles.

They came to Jesus and begged Him, saying, "The man is respected and should have this done for him.

For I am a man who works for someone else also, and I have soldiers who work for me. I say to this man, ‘Go!' and he goes. I say to another, ‘Come!' and he comes. I say to my workman, ‘Do this!' and he does it."

When the Lord saw her, He had loving-pity for her and said, "Do not cry."

Everyone was afraid and they gave thanks to God. They said, "A great Man Who speaks for God has come among us! God has cared for His people!"

John called two of his followers and sent them to Jesus to ask, "Are You the One Who is to come? Or are we to look for another?"

The men came to Jesus and said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One Who is to come? Or are we to look for another?'"

But what did you go to see? One who speaks for God? Yes, I tell you, he is more than one who speaks for God.

This is the man the Holy Writings spoke of when they said, ‘See! I will send My helper to carry news ahead of You. He will make Your way ready for You!'

But the proud religious law-keepers and the men who knew the Law would not listen. They would not be baptized by John and they did not receive what God had for them.

They are like children playing in front of stores. They call to their friends, ‘We have played music for you, but you did not dance. We have had sorrow for you, but you did not have sorrow.'

The proud religious law-keeper who had asked Jesus to eat with him saw this. He said to himself, "If this Man were One Who speaks for God, He would know who and what kind of a woman put her hands on Him. She is a sinner."

Joanna, the wife of Chuza who was one of Herod's helpers, was another one. Susanna and many others also cared for Jesus by using what they had.

Those which fell among rocks are those who when they hear the Word receive it with joy. These have no root. For awhile they believe, but when they are tempted they give up.

Those which fell among thorns hear the Word but go their own way. The cares of this life let the thorns grow. A love for money lets the thorns grow also. And the fun of this life lets the thorns grow. Their grain never becomes full-grown.

As Jesus stepped out on land, a man met Him who had come from the city. This man had demons in him. For a long time he had worn no clothes. He did not live in a house, but lived among the graves.

For Jesus had spoken to the demon to come out of the man. Many times the demon had taken hold of him. The man had to be tied with chains. But he would break the chains and be taken by the demon into the desert.

The men who cared for the pigs ran fast and told what had happened in the town and in the country.

"Go back to your house and tell everything God has done for you." He went back and told all the people of the city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Many people were glad to see Jesus when He got back. They were waiting for Him.