How does the model of prayer Jesus taught His disciples match how we pray?
What did the 12 apostles need to learn and unlearn about the Messiah?
Do we want to see what God can do? Or do we want to see what we can do?
What do we see when we first look at someone? Do we see their sin first? Or do we see the person first?
How does Jesus' instruction to love our enemies play out in today's world?
In this text, we find 2 accounts dealing with the Sabbath. In the first account, Jesus allows His disciples to pick grain to eat on the Sabbath, showing that the needs of God’s people transcend the religious rules the Pharisees had put in place. And in the account of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, Jesus shows that He not only has power over diseases, but also that He has authority over the Sabbath. He is Lord, even over the Sabbath.
Two healings. One, a man with a skin disease who risks it all knowing that, if Jesus is willing, he can be made clean. And a second, a man who is lowered through the roof by his friends, whose faith tells them that if they can get their friend to Jesus, Jesus can heal him. Jesus goes against what the Pharisees think is appropriate behavior and heals them, declaring himself to be the Son of Man, and proclaiming the forgiveness of sins here and now.
When confronted with God's presence, how do different people respond?
How did Jesus' hometown react to His claim to be the Messiah? How did they respond to Jesus and HIs mission?