Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
On one Sabbath day, Jesus was walking through fields where grain was growing. His followers began picking the grain heads, rubbing them between their hands to remove the husks, and eating the kernels. Some Pharisees saw this and questioned them, saying, "Why are you doing something that breaks the law on the Sabbath?" Jesus answered them by asking, "Haven't you read the story about what David did when he and the men with him were hungry? He went into God's house and took the sacred bread that was set apart for God—bread that only the priests were allowed to eat according to the law. He ate it himself and gave some to the men who were with him." Then Jesus made this declaration: "The Son of Man has authority over the Sabbath."
The Man with a Withered Hand
On another Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue and began teaching. A man was there whose right hand was completely shriveled and useless. The religious teachers and Pharisees were watching Jesus very carefully, hoping to find something to accuse him of. They wanted to see if he would heal someone on the Sabbath, which they considered work that was forbidden on that holy day. Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking. He spoke to the man with the damaged hand and said, "Stand up and come here in front of everyone." The man got up and stood where everyone could see him. Then Jesus turned to the religious leaders and asked them a pointed question: "Let me ask you something. What does our law say is right to do on the Sabbath? Should we do good things or evil things? Should we save a life or destroy one?" Jesus looked around at all of them, studying their faces. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." The man stretched out his withered hand, and immediately it was completely healed and restored to normal. The scribes and Pharisees were absolutely furious. They began talking among themselves, plotting what they could do to stop Jesus.
The Choosing of the Twelve Apostles
During this time, Jesus went up into the mountains to pray. He spent the entire night there, praying to God. When morning came, he called all his followers to come to him. From among them, he chose twelve men and gave them the special title of apostles. These twelve men were Simon, whom Jesus renamed Peter, and Simon's brother Andrew. There was James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus.
Jesus Ministers to a Great Multitude
Jesus came down from the mountain with his chosen disciples and stopped on a flat area. A large crowd of his followers had gathered there, along with great numbers of people who had traveled from all across Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon. They had all come to listen to his teaching and to be healed from their sicknesses. Those who were tormented by evil spirits were also made well. The entire crowd pressed forward, trying to touch Jesus, because healing power was flowing out from him and making everyone whole.
The Beatitudes and Woes
Jesus looked directly at his followers and began to speak to them. "God blesses you who are poor," he said, "because God's kingdom belongs to you. God blesses you who are hungry right now, because you will have plenty to eat. God blesses you who are crying right now, because you will laugh with joy. God blesses you when people hate you and push you away and say cruel things about you and treat your name like something dirty, all because you follow me, the Son of Man. When that happens, celebrate and jump for joy, because God has prepared a wonderful reward for you in heaven. Remember, their ancestors treated God's prophets the exact same way." Then Jesus' tone grew serious as he continued. "But how terrible it will be for you who are rich, because you have already gotten all the comfort you're going to get. How terrible it will be for you who have plenty to eat right now, because you will go hungry. How terrible it will be for you who are laughing right now, because you will cry and mourn. How terrible it will be for you when everyone speaks well of you and praises you, because that's exactly how their ancestors treated the false prophets."
Love for Enemies
But I'm speaking now to those of you who are truly listening. Love the people who hate you. Do good things for those who treat you badly. When someone curses you, bless them instead. When people hurt you or treat you unfairly, pray for them. If someone hits you on one side of your face, let them hit the other side too. If someone takes your coat, give them your shirt as well. Give something to every person who asks you for help. If someone takes something that belongs to you, don't demand they give it back. Treat other people the same way you want them to treat you. What's so special about loving people who already love you back? Even people who live sinful lives love those who love them. What's so great about doing good things for people who do good things for you? Sinful people do that too. And what's the big deal about lending money to people when you know they'll pay you back? Even sinful people lend to other sinful people because they expect to get their money back. Instead, love your enemies. Do good things for them. Lend to them without expecting anything in return. When you live this way, you'll receive a great reward, and you'll truly be children of the Most High God. He is kind even to people who are ungrateful and wicked. Show mercy to others, just as your Father shows mercy to you.
Do Not Judge
Jesus continued teaching his followers about how they should treat one another. "Don't judge other people," he said, "and God won't judge you. Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. When you forgive people, God will forgive you too. When you give to others, God will give back to you. He'll pour out his blessings on you like grain being measured out generously — pressed down tight, shaken to settle it, and flowing over the edges. Whatever measure you use when dealing with others is the same measure God will use when dealing with you." Then Jesus told them a story to help them understand. "Can a blind person guide another blind person? Of course not — they'll both end up falling into a ditch. A student isn't greater than his teacher, but when a student has learned everything, he becomes like his teacher." Jesus then asked them a pointed question. "Why do you focus on the tiny speck of dust in your friend's eye when there's a huge wooden beam sticking out of your own eye? How can you possibly say to your friend, 'Here, let me get that little speck out of your eye,' when you can't even see properly because of the massive beam in your own eye? You're being a hypocrite! First, remove that beam from your own eye. Then you'll be able to see clearly enough to help your friend with the speck in his eye."
A Tree and Its Fruit
No healthy tree produces rotten fruit, and no diseased tree produces good fruit. You can always tell what kind of tree you're looking at by examining its fruit. People don't pick figs from thorn bushes, and they don't harvest grapes from wild brambles. In the same way, a good person draws good things from the good treasure stored up in his heart, while an evil person pulls evil things from the evil treasure in his heart. Whatever fills a person's heart will eventually spill out through his words.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
"Why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord,' but then refuse to do what I tell you? Let me show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and then actually follows them. That person is like a man who decided to build a house. He worked hard, digging down deep until he reached solid rock, and there he laid his foundation. When the floods came and the rushing water slammed against that house, it couldn't even shake it. The house stood firm because it had been built well. But the person who hears my words and doesn't follow them is like a man who built his house right on the ground without any foundation at all. When the rushing water crashed against that house, it collapsed immediately—and the destruction was complete."