JESUS OWN WORDS

Page 1

JESUS OWN WORDS HOW TO ACHIEVE WISDOM LOVE PROSPERITY By Samuel Biks

- Monia Publishing -


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

2


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

JESUS OWN WORDS HOW TO ACHIEVE WISDOM LOVE PROSPERITY By Samuel Biks

- Monia Publishing -

3


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

JESUS OWN WORDS copyright © 2011 by Samuel Biks, Monia Publishing

Unless otherwise indicated, All scriptures quotations are taken from the New King james Version - New Testament. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Book Of Matthew The Book Of John

- The Book Of Mark

- The Book Of Luke

-

No parts of this publication may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrival system, or transmitted in any form or by ant means --electronics, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other -- except for brief quoatations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. ISBN 978-0-9869076-1-6 Library and Archives Canada

4


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

5


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

6


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

7


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

8


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

MATTHEW John Baptizes Jesus ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.’ (3:15)

Satan Tempts Jesus ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (4:4) ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (4:7) ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ (4:10) ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ (4:17)

9


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Beatitudes ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:3) ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (5:4) ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (5:5) ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (5:6) ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (5:7) ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (5:8) ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (5:9) ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10) ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely* on my account. (5:11) ‘Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you”. (5:12)

10


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Believers Are Salt and Light ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. (5:13) ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. (5:14) ‘ No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. (5:15) ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven’. (5:16)

Christ Fulfill the Law ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. (5:17) ‘For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,* not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. (5:18) ‘Therefore, whoever breaks* one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (5:19)

11


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. (5:20)

Murder Begins in the Heart ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” (5:21) ‘But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,* you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult* a brother or sister,* you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell* of fire. (5:22) ‘So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister* has something against you, (5:23) ‘leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,* and then come and offer your gift. (5:24) ‘Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court* with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. (5:25) ‘Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.’ (5:26)

12


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Adultery in the Heart ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” (5:27) ‘But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (5:28) ‘If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.* (5:29) ‘And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.’ (5:30)

Marriage Is Sacred and Binding ‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” (5:31) ‘But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.’ (5:32)

13


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Forbids Oaths ‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” (5:33) ‘But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, (5:34) ‘or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. (5:35) ‘And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. (5:36) ‘Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’ (5:37)

Go the Second Mile ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” (5:38) ‘But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; (5:39) ‘and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; (5:40) ‘and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. (5:41)

14


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. (5:42)

Love Your Enemies ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” (5:43) ‘But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (5:44) ‘so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. (5:45) ‘For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the taxcollectors do the same? (5:46) ‘And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,* what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (5:47) ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ (5:48)

15


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Do Good To Please God ‘Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. (6:1) ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. (6:2) ‘But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (6:3) ‘so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’ (6:4)

The Model Prayer ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the churches and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. (6:5) ‘But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.* (6:6)

16


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. (6:7)

‘Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’ (6:8)

‘Pray then in this way: (6:9)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ‘Your kingdom come. (6:10) Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.* (6:11) ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (6:12) ‘And do not bring us to the time of trial,* but rescue us from the evil one. (6:13) ‘For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; (6:14) ‘but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ (6:15)

17


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. (6:16) ‘But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, (6:17) ‘so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’ (6:18)

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust* consume and where thieves break in and steal; (6:19) ‘but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust* consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. (6:20) ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (6:21)

18


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Lamp of the Body ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; (6:22) ‘but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’ (6:23)

You Cannot Serve God and Riches ‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’ (6:24)

Do Not Worry ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,* or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (6:25) ‘Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (6:26) ‘And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?* (6:27)

19


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, (6:28) ‘yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. (6:29) ‘But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (6:30) ‘Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” (6:31) ‘For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (6:32) ‘But strive first for the kingdom of God* and his* righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (6:33) ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’ (6:34)

20


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Do Not Judge ‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. (7:1) ‘For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. (7:2) ‘Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (7:3) ‘Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? (7:4) ‘You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. (7:5) ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.’ (7:6)

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. (7:7) ‘For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (7:8)

21


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? (7:9) ‘Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? (7:10) ‘If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (7:11) ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.’ (7:12)

The Narrow Way ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy* that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. (7:13) ‘For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (7:14) ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (7:15) ‘You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? (7:16)

22


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. (7:17) ‘A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. (7:18) ‘Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (7:19) ‘Thus you will know them by their fruits.’ (7:20)

I Never Knew You ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (7:21) ‘On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” (7:22) ‘Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” (7:23)

23


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Build on the Rock ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. (7:24) ‘The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. (7:25)

‘And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. (7:26) ‘The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’ (7:27)

24


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Cleanses a Leper ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’. (8:3) ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ (8:4)

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant ‘I will come and cure him.’ (8:7) ‘Truly I tell you, in no one* in Israel have I found such faith.(8:10) ‘I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, (8:11) ‘while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (8:12) ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ (8:13)

25


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Cost of Discipleship ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ (8:20) ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ (8:22)

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ (8:26)

26


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ (9:2) ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? (9:4) ’For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? (9:5) ’But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins‘—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ (9:6)

Matthew the Tax Collector ‘Follow me.’ (9:9) ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (9:12) “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ (9:13) ‘The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the ‘bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. (9:15) ‘No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. (9:16)

27


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.’ (9:17)

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ (9:22) ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ (9:24)

Two Blind Men Healed ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ (9:28) ‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’ (9:29) ‘See that no one knows of this.’ (9:30)

The Compassion of Jesus ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; (9:37) ‘therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’ (9:38)

28


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Sending Out The Twelve ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, (10:5) ‘but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (10:6) ‘As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” (10:7) ‘Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. (10:8) ‘Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, (10:9) ‘no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. (10:10) ‘Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. (10:11) ‘As you enter the house, greet it. (10:12) ‘If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. (10:13) ‘If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. (10:14) ‘Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town. (10:15)

29


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Persecution Are Coming ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (10:16) ‘Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; (10:17) ‘and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. (10:18) ‘When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; (10:19) ‘for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (10:20) ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; (10:21) ‘and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (10:22) ‘When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (10:23) ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; (10:24)

30


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! (10:25) ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.’ (10:26)

Fear of God ‘What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. (10:27) ‘Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.* (10:28) ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. (10:29) ‘And even the hairs of your head are all counted. (10:30) ‘So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.’ (10:31)

31


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Confess Christ Before Men ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; (10:32) ‘but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.’ (10:33)

Division ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. (10:5) ‘For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; (10:5) ‘and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. (10:5) ‘Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; (10:5) ‘and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (10:5) ‘Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.’ (10:5)

32


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Cup of Cold Water ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (10:40) ‘Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; (10:41) ‘and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’ (10:42)

33


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: (11:4) ‘the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers* are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. (11:5) ‘And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’ (11:6) ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? (11:7) ‘What then did you go out to see? Someone* dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. (11:8) ‘What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. (11:9) ‘This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” (11:10) ‘Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (11:11) ‘From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,* and the violent take it by force. (11:12) ‘For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; (11:13) ‘and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. (11:14)

34


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Let anyone with ears listen! (11:15) ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, (11:16) “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” (11:17) ‘For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; (11:18) ‘the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ (11:19)

The Impenitent Cities ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (11:21) ‘But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. (11:22)

35


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (11:23) ‘But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ (11:24)

True Rest ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; (11:25) ‘yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (11:26) ‘All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (11:27) ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (11:28) ‘Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (11:29) ‘For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (11:30)

36


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? (12:3) ‘He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. (12:4) ‘Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? (12:5) ‘I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. (12:6) ‘But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. (12:7) ‘For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’ (12:8)

Healing On the Sabbath ‘Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? (12:11) ‘How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.’ (12:12) ‘Stretch out your hand.’ (12:13)

37


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A House Divided Cannot Stand ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. (12:25) ‘If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? (12:26) ‘If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. (12:27) ‘But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. (12:28) ‘Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. (12:29) ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’ (12:30)

38


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Unpardonable Sin ‘Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. (12:31) ‘Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.’ (12:32)

A Tree Know by Its Fruit ‘Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. (12:33) ‘You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (12:34) ‘The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. (12:35) ‘I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; (12:36) ‘for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’ (12:37) 39


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Scribes and Pharisees Ask for a sign ‘An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (12:39) ‘For just as Jonah was for three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. (12:40) ‘The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! (12:41) ‘The queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! (12:42)

40


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

An Unclean Spirit Returns ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but it finds none. (12:43) ‘Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. (12:44) ‘Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.’ (12:45)

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ (12:48) ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! (12:49) ‘For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’ (12:50)

41


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of The Sower ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. (13:3) ‘And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. (13:4) ‘Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. (13:5) ‘But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. (13:6) ‘Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. (13:7) ‘Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (13:8) ‘Let anyone with ears* listen!’ (13:9)

42


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Purpose of Parables ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets* of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (13:11) ‘For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. (13:12) ‘The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” (13:13) ‘With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. (13:14) ‘For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.” (13:15) ‘But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. (13:16) ‘Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’ (13:17)

43


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Sower Explained ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. (13:18) ‘When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. (13:19) ‘As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; (13:20) ‘yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. (13:21) ‘As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. (13:22) ‘But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ (13:23)

44


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; (13:24) ‘but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. (13:25) ‘So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. (13:26) ‘And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” (13:27) “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” (13:28) “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. (13:29) ‘Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ (13:30)

45


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Mustard Seed ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; (13:31) ‘it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ (13:32)

The Parable of the Leaven ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ (13:33)

Prophecy and the Parables ‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world. (13:35)

46


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Tares Explained ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; (13:37) ‘the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, (13:38) ‘and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. (13:39) ‘Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. (13:40) ‘The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, (13:41) ‘and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (13:42) ‘Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears* listen!’ (13:43)

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.’ (13:44)

47


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; (13:45) ‘on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (13:46)

The Parable of the Dragnet ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; (13:47) ‘when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. (13:48) ‘So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous (13:49) ‘and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (13:50) ‘Have you understood all this?’ (13:51) ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ (13:52)

48


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth ‘Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.’ (13:57)

49


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Feeding the Five Thousand ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ (14:16) ‘Bring them here to me.’ (14:17)

Jesus Walks on the Sea ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ (14:27) ‘Come.’ (14:29) ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ (14:31)

50


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Defilement Comes from Within ‘And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? (15:3) ‘For God said,* “Honor your father and your mother,” and, “Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.” (15:4) ‘But you say that whoever tells father or mother, “Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God”, then that person need not honor the father.* (15:5) ‘So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word* of God. (15:6) ‘You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: (15:7) “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; (15:8) ‘in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” ’ (15:9) ‘Listen and understand: (15:10) ‘it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.’ (15:11) ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. (15:13) ‘Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.* And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.’

51


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Are you also still without understanding? (15:16) ‘Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? (15:17) ‘But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. (15:18) ‘For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. (15:19) ‘These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.’ (15:20)

A Gentile Shows Her Faith ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ (15:24) ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ (15:26) ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ (15:28)

52


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Feeding the Four Thousand ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way. (15:32) ‘How many loaves have you?’ (15:34)

53


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign ‘When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.” (16:2) ‘And in the morning, “It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (16:3) ‘An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ Then he left them and went away. (16:4)

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees ‘Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ (16:6) ‘It is because we have brought no bread.’ (16:7) ‘You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? (16:8) ‘Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? (16:9) ‘Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? (16:10) ‘How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’ (16:11)

54


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ (16:13) ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (16:15) ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. (16:17) ‘And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (16:18) ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ (16:19)

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ (16:23)

55


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (16:24) ‘For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (16:25) ‘For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? (16:26) ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. (16:27) ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’ (16:28)

56


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ (17:7) ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ (17:9) ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; (17:11) ‘but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ (17:12)

A Boy Is Healed ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.’ (17:17) ‘Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ (17:20) “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (17:21)

57


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Again Predicts His death and Resurrection ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, (17:22) ‘and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.’ And they were greatly distressed. (17:23)

Peter and His Master Pay Their Taxes ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?’ (17:25) ‘Then the children are free. (17:26) ‘However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin;* take that and give it to them for you and me.’ (17:27)

58


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Who Is the Greatest? ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (18:3) ‘Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (18:4) ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (18:5)

Jesus Warns of Offenses ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. (18:6) ‘Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes! (18:7) ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. (18:8)

59


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell* of fire. (18:9)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep ‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. (18:10) “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” (18:11) ‘What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? (18:12) ‘And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. (18:13) ‘So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. (18:14)

60


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Dealing with a Sinning Brother ‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. (18:15) ‘But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (18:16) ‘If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. (18:17) ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (18:18) ‘Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (18:19) ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ (18:20)

61


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. (18:22) ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. (18:23) ‘When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; (18:24) ‘and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. (18:25) ‘So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” (18:26) ‘And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. (18:27) ‘But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” (18:28) ‘Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” (18:29) ‘But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt.’ 62


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. (18:31) ‘Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. (18:32) ‘Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” (18:33) ‘And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. (18:34) ‘So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ (18:35)

63


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Marriage and Divorce ‘Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning “made them male and female”, (19:4) “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? (19:5) ‘So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’ (19:6) ‘It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but at the beginning it was not so. (19:8) ‘And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery. (19:9)

Jesus Teaches on Celibacy ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. (19:11) ‘For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.’ (19:12)

64


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Blesses Little Children ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. (19:14)

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ (19:17) ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; (19:18) ‘Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (19:19) ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ (19:21)

65


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

With God All Things Are Possible ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. (19:23) ‘Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ (19:24) ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (19:28) ‘And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. (19:29) ‘But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ (19:30)

66


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. (20:1) ‘After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. (20:2) ‘When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; (20:3) ‘and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. (20:4) ‘When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. (20:5) ‘And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” (20:6) ‘They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” (20:7) ‘When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” (20:8)

67


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. (20:9) ‘Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. (20:10) ‘And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, (20:11) ‘saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” (20:12) ‘But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? (20:13) ‘Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. (20:14) ‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (20:15) ‘So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ (20:16)

68


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; (20:18) ‘then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.’ (20:19)

Salome Asks a Favor ‘What do you want?’ (20:21) ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ (20:22) ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ (20:23) ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. (20:25) ‘It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, (20:26)

69


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; (20:27) ‘just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (20:28) ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (20:32)

70


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Triumphal Entry ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. (21:2) ‘If anyone says anything to you, just say this, “The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ (21:3)

Jesus Cleanses the Temple ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.’ (21:13) ‘Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself”?’ (21:16)

71


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Fig Tree Withered ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. (21:19)

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. (21:21) ‘Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’ (21:22)

Jesus’ Authority Questioned ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. (21:24) ‘Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ (21:25) ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. (21:27)

72


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Two Sons ‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” (21:28) ‘He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. (21:29) ‘The father* went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. (21:30) ‘Which of the two did the will of his father?’ ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. (21:31) ‘For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (21:32)

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. (21:33) ‘When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. (21:34)

73


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. (21:35) ‘Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. (21:36) ‘Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” (21:37) ‘But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” (21:38) ‘So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. (21:39) ‘Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ (21:40) ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? (21:42) ‘Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. (21:43) ‘The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls. (21:44)

74


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Wedding Fest ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. (22:2) ‘He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. (22:3) ‘Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” (22:4) ‘But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, (22:5) ‘while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. (22:6) ‘The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. (22:7) ‘Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. (22:8) ‘Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” (22:9) ‘Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. (22:10) 75


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, (22:11) ‘and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. (22:12) ‘Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (22:13) ‘For many are called, but few are chosen.’ (22:14)

Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar? ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? (22:18) ‘Show me the coin used for the tax.’ (22:19) ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ (22:20) ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ (22:21)

76


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

What about the Resurrection? ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. (22:29) ‘For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (22:30) ‘And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, (22:31) “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.’ (22:32)

Which Is the First Commandment of All? ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (22:37) ‘This is the greatest and first commandment. (22:38) ‘And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (22:39) ‘On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (22:40)

77


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

How Can David Call His Descendant Lord? 42 ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ (22:42) ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, (22:43) “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’ ”? (22:44) ‘If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ (22:45)

78


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; (23:2) ‘therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. (23:3) ‘They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. (23:4) ‘They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. (23:5) ‘They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, (23:6) ‘and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. (23:7) ‘But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. (23:8) ‘And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father— the one in heaven. (23:2) ‘Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. (23:2)

79


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘The greatest among you will be your servant. (23:11) ‘All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. (23:12) ‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. (23:13) ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (23:15) ‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” (23:16) ‘You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? (23:17) ‘And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” (23:18) ‘How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? (23:19)

80


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; (23:20) ‘and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; (23:21) ‘and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it. (23:22) ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. (23:23) ‘You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! (23:24) ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (23:25) ‘You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. (23:26) ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. (23:27) ‘So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (23:28)

81


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, (23:29) ‘and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” (23:30) ‘Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. (23:31) ‘Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. (23:32) ‘You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? (23:33) ‘Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, (23:34) ‘so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. (23:35) ‘Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.’ (23:36)

82


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Laments over Jerusalem ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (23:37) ‘See, your house is left to you, desolate. (23:38) ‘For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ (23:39)

83


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ (24:2)

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. (24:4) ‘For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. (24:5) ‘And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. (24:6) ‘For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: (24:7) ‘all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. (24:8) ‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. (24:9) ‘Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. (24:10) ‘And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (24:11)

84


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. (24:12) ‘But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. (24:13) ‘And this good news* of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. (24:14)

The Great Tribulation ‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), (24:15) ‘then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; (24:16) ‘someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; (24:17) ‘someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. (24:18) ‘Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! (24:19) ‘Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. (24:20) ‘For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (24:21) ‘And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (24:22) 85


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!”* or “There he is!”—do not believe it. (24:23) ‘For false messiahs* and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (24:24) ‘Take note, I have told you beforehand. (24:25) ‘So, if they say to you, “Look! He is in the wilderness”, do not go out. If they say, “Look! He is in the inner rooms”, do not believe it. (24:26) ‘For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (24:27) ‘Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. (24:28)

The Coming of the Son of Man ‘Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. (24:29) ‘Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. (24:30)

86


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (24:31)

The Parable of the Fig Tree ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. (24:32) ‘So also, when you see all these things, you know that he* is near, at the very gates. (24:33) ‘Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. (24:34) ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (24:35)

No One Knows the Day of Hour ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (24:36) ‘For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (24:37) ‘For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, (24:38)

87


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. (24:39) ‘Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. (24:40) ‘Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. (24:41) ‘Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (24:42) ‘But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. (24:43) ‘Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. (24:44)

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant ‘Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? (24:45) ‘Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. (24:46) ‘Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. (24:47) 88


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But if that wicked slave says to himself, “My master is delayed”, (24:48) ‘and he begins to beat his fellow-slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, (24:49) ‘the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. (24:50) ‘He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (24:51)

89


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins ‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids* took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. (25:1) ’Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. (25:2) ‘When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; (25:3) ‘but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. (25:4) ‘As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. (25:5) ‘But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” (25:6) ‘Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. (25:7) ‘The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” (25:8) ‘But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” (25:9) ‘And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. (25:10) ‘Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” (25:11) ‘But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” (25:12) ‘Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (25:13) 90


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Talents ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; (25:14) ‘to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (25:15) ‘The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. (25:16) ‘In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. (25:17) ‘But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. (25:18) ‘After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. (25:19) ‘Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” (25:20) ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (25:21)

91


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” (25:22) ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (25:23) ‘Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; (25:24) ‘so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” (25:25) ‘But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? (25:26) ‘Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. (25:27) ‘So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. (25:28) ‘For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. (25:29) ‘As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (25:30) 92


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. (25:31) ‘All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, (25:32) ‘and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. (25:33) ‘Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; (25:34) ‘or I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (25:35) ‘I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (25:36) ‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? (25:37) ‘And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? (25:38) ‘And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” (25:39)

93


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (25:40) ‘Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; (25:41) ‘for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, (25:42) ‘I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” (25:43) ‘Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” (25:44) ‘Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” (25:45) ‘And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ (25:46)

94


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Plot to Kill Jesus ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’ (26:2)

The Anointing at Bethany ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. (26:10) ‘For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (26:11) ‘By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. (26:12) ‘Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ (26:13)

Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ (26:18) ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ (26:21)

95


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. (26:23) ‘The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ (26:24) ‘You have said so.’ (26:25)

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ (26:26) ‘Drink from it, all of you; (26:27) ‘for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (26:28) ‘I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ (26:29)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ‘You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (26:31) ‘But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ (26:32)

96


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ (26:34)

The Prayer in the Garden ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ (26:36) ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ (26:38) ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ (26:39) ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? (26:40) ‘Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ (26:41) ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ (26:42) ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (26:45) ‘Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ (26:46)

97


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ (26:50) ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (26:52) ‘Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (26:53) ‘But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ (26:54) ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. (26:55) ‘But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ (26:56)

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin ‘You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ (26:64)

98


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Dies on the Cross ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (27:46) “After three days I will rise again.” (27:63)

99


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

He Is Risen ‘Greetings!’ (28:9) ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ (28:10)

The Great Commission ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (28:18) ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (28:19) ‘and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (28:20)

100


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Mark Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ (1:15)

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ (1:17)

Jesus Casts Out as Unclean Spirit ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ (1:25)

Preaching in Galilee ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ (1:38)

101


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Cleanses a Leper ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ (1:41) ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ (1:44)

102


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ (2:5) ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? (2:8) “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? (2:9) ‘But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ (2:10) ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ (2:11) ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ (2:17)

Jesus is Questionned about Fasting ‘The wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. (2:19) ‘The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. (2:20) ‘No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. (2:21)

103


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.’ (2:22)

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? (2:25) ‘He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ (2:26) ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; (2:27) ‘so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’ (2:28)

104


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Healing on the Sabbath ‘Come forward.’ (3:3) ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ (3:4) ‘Stretch out your hand.’ (3:5)

A House Divided Cannot Stand ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? (3:23) ‘If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (3:24) ‘And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (3:25) ‘And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. (3:26) ‘But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. (3:27) ‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; (3:28) ‘but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’— (3:29)

105


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ (3:33) ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! (3:34) ‘Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’ (3:35)

106


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Sower ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. (4:3) ‘And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. (4:4) ‘Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. (4:5) ‘And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. (4:6) ‘Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. (4:37) ‘Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ (4:8) ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ (4:9)

The Purpose of Parables ‘To you has been given the secret* of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; (4:11)

107


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

“they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” ’ (4:12)

The Parable of the Sower Explained ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? (4:13) ‘The sower sows the word. (4:14) ‘These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. (4:15) ‘And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. (4:16) ‘But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. (4:17) ‘And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, (4:18) ‘but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. (4:19) ‘And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ (4:20) 108


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Light Under a Basket ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? (4:21) ‘For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. (4:22) ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ (4:23) ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. (4:24) ‘For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’ (4:25)

The Parable of the Growing Seed ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, (4:26) ‘and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. (4:27) ‘The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. (4:28)

109


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ (4:29)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? (4:30) ‘It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; (4:31) ‘yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ (4:32)

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ (4:35) ‘Peace! Be still!’ (4:39) ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ (4:40)

110


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’ (5:8) ‘What is your name?’ (5:9) ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ (5:19)

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed ‘Who touched my clothes?’ (5:30) ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’ (5:34) ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ (5:36) ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ (5:39) ‘Talitha cum’, ‘Little girl, get up!’ (5:41)

111


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth ‘Prophets are not without honor, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ (6:4)

Sending Out the Twelve ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. (6:10) ‘If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ (6:11)

Feeding the Five Thousand ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (6:31) ‘You give them something to eat.’ (6:37) ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see.’ (6:38)

Jesus Walks on the Sea ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ (6:50)

112


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Defilement Comes from Within ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; (7:6) ‘in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” (7:7) ‘You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.’ (7:8) ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! (7:9) ‘For Moses said, “Honor your father and your mother”; and, “Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.” (7:10) ‘But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, “Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban” (that is, an offering to God)— (7:11) ‘then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, (7:12) ‘thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this.’ (7:13) ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: (7:14) ‘there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’ (7:15) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (7:16)

113


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, (7:18) ‘since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) (7:19) ‘It is what comes out of a person that defiles. (7:20) ‘For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, (7:21) ‘adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. (7:22) 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’ (7:23)

A Gentile Shows Her Faith ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ (7:27) ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ (7:29)

Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute ‘Ephphatha’, ‘Be opened.’ (7:34)

114


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Feeding the Four Thousand ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. (8:2) ‘If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.’ (8:3) ‘How many loaves do you have?’ (8:5)

The Pharisees Seek a Sign ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ Beware of the Leaves of the Pharisees and Herod (8:12) ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ (8:15) ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? (8:17) ‘Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? (8:18) ‘When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ (8:19)

115


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ (8:20) ‘Do you not yet understand?’ (8:21)

A Blind Paralytic Healed at Bethsaida ‘Do not even go into the village.’

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ ‘Who do people say that I am?’ (8:27) ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (8:29)

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ (8:33)

116


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (8:34) ‘For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. (8:35) ‘For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? (8:36) ‘Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? (8:37) ‘Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ (8:38)

117


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’ (9:1)

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? (9:12) ‘But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’ (9:13)

A Boy Is Healed ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ (9:16) ‘You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ (9:19) ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ (9:21) ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ (9:23)

118


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!’ (9:25) “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (9:29)

Jesus Again Predicts His Death an Resurrection ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ (9:31)

Who is the Greatest? ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ (9:33) ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ (9:35) Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ (9:37)

Jesus Warns of Offenses ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. (9:39) ‘Whoever is not against us is for us. (9:40) 119


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. (9:41) ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me,* it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. (9:42) ‘If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. (9:43) ‘And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. (9:45) ‘And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, (9:47) ‘where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. (9:48)

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. (9:49) ‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’ (9:50) 120


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Marriage and Divorce ‘What did Moses command you?’ (10:3) ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. (10:5) ‘But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” (10:6) “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, (10:7) ‘and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. (10:8) ‘Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’ (10:9) ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; (10:11) “And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (10:12)

Jesus Blesses Little Children ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. (10:14)

121


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ (10:15)

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. (10:18) ‘You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.”’ (10:19) ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ (10:21)

With God All Things Are Possible ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ (10:23) ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! (10:24) ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ (10:25)

122


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ (10:27) ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, (10:29) ‘who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. (10:30) ‘But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ (10:31)

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; (10:33) ‘they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’ (10:34)

123


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Greatness Is Serving ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ (10:36) ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ (10:38) ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; (10:39) ‘but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’ (10:40) ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. (10:42) ‘But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, (10:43) ‘and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. (10:44) ‘For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (10:45)

124


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (10:51) ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ (10:52)

125


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Triumph Entry ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. (11:2) ‘If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” ’ (11:3)

The Fig Tree Withered “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” (11:14)

Jesus Cleanses the Temple ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’ (11:17)

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree ‘Have faith in God. (11:22) ‘Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. (11:23) 126


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (11:24)

Forgiveness and Prayer ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’ (11:25) ‘But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’ (11:26) ‘I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. (11:29) ‘Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.’ (11:30) ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ (11:33)

127


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. (12:1) ‘When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. (12:2) ‘But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. (12:3) ‘And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. (12:4) ‘Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. (12:5) ‘He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” (12:6) ‘But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” (12:7) ‘So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. (12:8) ‘What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. (12:)

128


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; (12:10) ‘this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?’ (12:11)

Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Ceasar? ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ (12:15) ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ (12:16) ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ (12:17)

What about the Resurrection? ‘Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? (12:24) ‘For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (12:25) ‘And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, “ I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? (12:26) ‘He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.’ (12:27)

129


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Which Is the First Commandment of All? ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; (12:29) ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (12:30) ‘The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ (12:31) ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ (12:34)

How Can David Call His Descendant Lord? ‘How can the scribes say that the Messiah* is the son of David? (12:35) ‘David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’ ” (12:36) ‘David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ (12:37)

130


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Beware of the Scribes ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, (12:38) ‘and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! (12:39) ‘They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ (12:40)

The Window’s Two Mites ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. (12:43) ‘For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’ (12:44)

131


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ (13:2)

The Sign of the Times and the End of the Age ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. (13:2) ‘Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. (13:6) ‘When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. (13:7) ‘For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. (13:8) ‘As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. (13:9) ‘And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. (13:10)

132


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (13:11) ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; (13:12) ‘and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (13:13)

The Great Tribulation ‘But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; (13:14) ‘someone on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; (13:15) ‘someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. (13:16) ‘Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! (13:17) ‘Pray that it may not be in winter. (13:18) ‘For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. (13:19) 133


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. (13:20) ‘And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. (13:21) ‘False messiahs* and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. (13:22) ‘But be alert; I have already told you everything. (13:23)

The Coming Of the Son of Man ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, (13:24) ‘and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (13:25) ‘Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. (13:26) ‘Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. (13:27)

134


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Fig Tree ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. (13:28) ‘So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (13:29) ‘Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. (13:30) ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (13:31)

No One know the Day or Hour ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (13:32) ‘Beware, keep alert;* for you do not know when the time will come. (13:33) ‘It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. (13:34) ‘Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, (13:35)

135


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. (13:36) ‘And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ (13:37)

136


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Anointing at Bethany ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. (13:6) ‘For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. (13:7) ‘She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. (13:8) ‘Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ (13:9)

Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, (13:13) ‘and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” (13:14) ‘He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ (13:15)

137


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ (13:18) ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. (13:20) ‘For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ (13:21)

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper ‘Take; this is my body.’ (13:22) ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. (13:24) ‘Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’ (13:25)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ‘You will all become deserters; for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (13:27) ‘But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ (13:28) ‘Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ (13:30)

138


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Sit here while I pray.’ (13:32) ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ (13:34) ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ (13:36) ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? (13:37) ‘Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ (13:38) ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (13:41) ‘Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ (13:42)

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? (13:48) ‘Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ (13:49)

139


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” ’ (13:2)

140


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Great Commission “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16:15) “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (13:16) “And these signs, will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (13:17) “They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (13:18)

141


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

142


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

LUKE The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ (2:49)

143


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Satan Tempts Jesus ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’ (4:4) ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ (4:8) ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ (4:12)

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, (4:18) ‘to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ (4:19) ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ (4:21) ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ (4:23) ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. (4:24) ‘But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; (4:25)

144


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.(4:26) ‘There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ (4:27)

Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. (4:35)

Jesus Preaches in Galilee ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ (4:43)

145


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ (5:4) ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ (5:10)

Jesus Cleanses a Leper ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him. (5:13) ‘Go’, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ (5:14)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ (5:20) ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? (5:22) ‘Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? (5:23) ‘But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralysed—‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’ (5:24)

146


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Matthew the Tax Collector “Follow Me.” (5:27) ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; (5:31) ‘I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ (5:32)

Jesus Is Questioned about Fasting ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? (5:34) ‘The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ (5:35) ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. (5:36) ‘And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. (5:37) ‘But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (5:38) 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’ (5:39)

147


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? (6:3) ‘He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?’ (6:4) ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’ (6:3)

Healing on the Sabbath ‘Come and stand here.’ (6:8) ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ (6:9) ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. (6:10)

The Beatitudes ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (6:20) ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. (6:21)

148


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. (6:22) ‘Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. (6:23)

Jesus Pronounces Woes ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. (6:24) ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. (6:25) ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. (6:26)

Love Your Enemies ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (6:27) ‘bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (6:28) ‘If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. (6:29)

149


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. (6:30) ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you. (6:31) ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (6:32) ‘If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (6:33) ‘If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. (6:34) ‘But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. (6:35) ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (6:36)

150


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Do Not Judge ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; (6:37) ‘give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’ (6:38) ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? (6:39) ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. (6:40) ‘Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (6:41) ‘Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. (6:42)

151


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Tree Is Know by Its Fruits ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. (6:43) ‘The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. (6:45)

Build on the Rock ‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? (6:46) ‘I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. (6:47) ‘That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. (6:48) ‘But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’ (6:49)

152


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ (7:9)

Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain ‘Do not weep.’ (7:13) ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ (7:14)

John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. (7:22) ‘And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’ (7:23) ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? (7:24) ‘What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. (7:25) What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. (7:26) 153


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” (7:27) ‘I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ (7:28) ‘To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? (7:31) ‘They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” (7:32) ‘For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon”; (7:33) ‘the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” (7:34) ‘Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’ (7:35)

154


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Sinful Woman Forgiven ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ (7:40) ‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. (7:41) ‘When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ (7:42) ‘You have judged rightly.’ (7:43) ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. (7:44) ‘You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. (7:45) ‘You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. (7:46) ‘Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ (7:47) ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ (7:48) ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ (7:50)

155


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Sower ‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. (8:5) ‘Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. (8:6) ‘Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. (8:7) ‘Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ (8:8)

The Purpose of Parables ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.” (8:10)

The Parable of the Sower Explained 11 ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (8:11) ‘The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. (8:12)

156


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. (8:13) ‘As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. (8:14) ‘But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. (8:15)

The Parable of the Revealed Light ‘No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. (8:16) ‘For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. (8:17) ‘Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’ (8:18)

157


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Comes to Him ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’ (8:21)

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ (8:22) ‘Where is your faith?’ (8:25)

A Demon-Possessed Man Healed ‘What is your name?’ (8:30) ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ (8:39)

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed ‘Who touched me?’ (8:45) ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ (8:46) ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ (8:50) ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ (8:52)

158


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Sending Out the Twelve ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. (9:3) ‘Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. (9:4) ‘Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ (9:5)

Feeding the Five Thousand ‘You give them something to eat.’ (9:13) ‘Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ (9:14)

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ (9:18) ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (9:20)

159


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’ (9:22)

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (9:23) ‘For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. (9:24) ‘What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? (9:25) ‘Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (9:26) ‘But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.’ (9:27)

160


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Boy Is Healed ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ (9:41)

Jesus Again Predicts His Death ‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ (9:44)

Who Is the Greatest? ‘Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.’ (9:48)

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.’ (9:50)

161


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Cost of Discipleship ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ (9:58) ‘Follow me.’ (9:59) ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ (9:60) ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (9:62)

162


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Seventy Sent Out ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (10:2) ‘Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. (10:3) ‘Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. (10:4) ‘Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” (10:5) ‘And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. (10:6) ‘Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. (10:7) ‘Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; (10:8) ‘cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” (10:9) ‘But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, (10:10) “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.”* (10:11) 163


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. (10:12)

Woe to the Impenitent Cities ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (10:13) ‘But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. (10:14) ‘And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. (10:15) ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’ (10:16)

164


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Seventy Return with Joy ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. (10:18) ‘See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. (10:19) 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ (10:20)

Jesus Rejoices in Spirit ‘I thank* you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (10:21) ‘All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ (10:22) ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! (10:23) ‘For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’ (10:24)

165


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Good Samaritan ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ (10:26) ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ (10:28) ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. (10:30) ‘Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. (10:31) ‘So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (10:32) ‘But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. (10:33) ‘He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (10:34) ‘The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” (10:35)

166


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ (10:36) ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ (10:37)

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; (10:41) ‘there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ (10:42)

167


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Model Prayer ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. ‘Your kingdom come. (11:2) ‘Give us each day our daily bread. (11:3) ‘And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’ (11:4)

A Friend Comes at Midnight ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; (11:5) ‘for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” (11:6) “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” (11:7) ‘I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. (11:8)

168


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. (11:9) ‘For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (11:10) Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? (11:11) ‘Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? (11:12) ‘If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ (11:13)

A House Divided Cannot Stand ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. (11:17) ‘If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. (11:18)

169


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. (11:19) ‘But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. (11:2) ‘When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. (11:21) ‘But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. (11:22) ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (11:23)

An Unclean Spirit Returns ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” (11:24) ‘When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. (11:25) ‘Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.’ (11:6)

170


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Keeping the Word ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’ (11:28)

Seeking a Sign ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. (11:29) ‘For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. (11:30) ‘The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! (11:31) ‘The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! (11:32)

171


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Lamp of the Body ‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. (11:33) ‘Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. (11:34) ‘Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. (11:35) ‘If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’ (11:36)

Woe to the Pharisees and Lawyers ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. (11:39) ‘You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? (11:40) ‘So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you. (11:41) ‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. (11:42)

172


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market-places. (11:43) ‘Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.’ (11:44) ‘Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. (11:46) ‘Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. (11:47) ‘So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. (11:48) ‘Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute”, (11:49) ‘so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, (11:50) ‘from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. (11:51) ‘Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’ (11:52)

173


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Beware of Hypocrisy ‘Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. (12:2) ‘Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. (12:3)

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God ‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. (12:4) ‘But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority* to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! (12:5) ‘Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. (12:6) ‘But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more\ value than many sparrows. (12:7)

174


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Confess Christ Before Men ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; (12:8) ‘but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. (12:9) ‘And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (12:10) ‘When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; (12:11) ‘for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.’ (12:12)

The Parable of the Rich Fool ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ (12:14) ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ (12:15) ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. (12:16) “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” (12:17)

175


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

“I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. (12:18) ‘And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (12:19) ‘But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (12:20) ‘So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’ (12:21)

Do Not Worry ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. (12:22) ‘For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. (12:23) ‘Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! (12:24) ‘And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?* (12:25) ‘If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? (12:26) 176


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. (12:27) ‘But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you— you of little faith! (12:28) ‘And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. (12:29) ‘For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. (12:30) ‘Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (12:31) ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (12:32) ‘Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (12:33) ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (12:34)

177


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; (12:35) ‘be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. (12:36) ‘Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. (12:37) ‘If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. (12:38) ‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. (12:39) ‘You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’ (12:40) ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? (12:42) ‘Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. (12:43) ‘Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. (12:44)

178


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, (12:45) ‘the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. (12:46) ‘That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. (12:47) ‘But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. (12:48)

Christ Brings Division ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! (12:49) ‘I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! (12:50) ‘Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! (12:51)

179


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; (12:52) ‘they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ (12:53)

Discern the Time ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. (12:54) ‘And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. (12:55) ‘You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (12:56)

Make Peace with Your Adversary ‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? (12:57)

180


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. (12:58) ‘I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.’ (12:59)

181


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Repent or Perish ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? (13:2) ‘No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. (13:3) ‘Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them— do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? (13:4) ‘No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ (13:5)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. (13:6) ‘So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” (13:7) ‘He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. (13:8) ‘If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’ (13:9)

182


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Spirit of Infirmity ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ (13:12) ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? (13:15) ‘And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ (13:16)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? (13:18) ‘It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’ (13:19)

The Parable of the Leaven ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? (13:20) “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” (13:21)

183


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Narrow Way ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. (13:24) ‘When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” (13:25) ‘Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” (13:26) ‘But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!” (13:27) ‘There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. (13:28) ‘Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. (13:29) ‘Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’ (13:30) ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. (13:32) 184


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” (13:33)

Jesus Laments over Jerusalem ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (13:34) ‘See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ (13:35)

185


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Man with Dropsy Healed on the Sabbath ‘Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?’ (14:3) ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’ (14:5)

Take the Lowly Place ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; (14:8) ‘and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. (14:9) ‘But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. (14:10) ‘For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (14:11)

186


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. (14:12) ‘But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. (14:13) ‘And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ (14:14)

The Parable of the Great Supper ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. (14:16) ‘At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” (14:17) ‘But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” (14:18) ‘Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” (14:19) ‘Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” (14:20)

187


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” (14:21) ‘And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” (14:22) ‘Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. (14:24) ‘For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” ’ (14:24)

Leaving All to Follow Christ ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. (14:26) ‘Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (14:27) ‘For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? (14:28) ‘Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, (14:19) ‘saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” (14:30)

188


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? (14:31) ‘If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. (14:32) ‘So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. (14:33)

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless ‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?* (14:34) ‘It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ (14:35)

189


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Lost Sheep ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? (15:4) ‘When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. (15:5) ‘And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (15:6) ‘Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. (15:7)

The Parable of the Lost Coin ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? (15:8) ‘When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” (15:9) ‘Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ (15:10)

190


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Lost Son ‘There was a man who had two sons. (15:11) ‘The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. (15:12) ‘A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. (15:13) ‘When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. (15:14) ‘So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. (15:15) ‘He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. (15:16) ‘But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (15:17) ‘I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; (15:18) ‘I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” (15:19)

191


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. (15:20) ‘Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (15:21) ‘But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. (15:22) ‘And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; (15:23) ‘for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. (15:24) ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. (15:25) ‘He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. (15:26) ‘He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” (15:27) ‘Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (15:28)

192


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. (15:29) ‘But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” (15:30) ‘Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. (15:31) ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’ (15:32)

193


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Unjust Steward ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. (16:1) ‘So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” (16:2) ‘Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. (16:3) ‘I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” (16:4) ‘So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” (16:5) ‘He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” (16:6) ‘Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” (16:7)

194


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. (16:8) ‘And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. (16:9) ‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. (16:10) ‘If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (16:11) ‘And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? (16:12) ‘No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’ (16:13)

195


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God. (16:15) ‘The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. (16:16) ‘But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped. (16:17) ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. (16:18)

The Rich Man and Lazarus ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. (16:19) ‘And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, (16:20) ‘who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (16:21)

196


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (16:22) ‘In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. (16:23) ‘He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” (16:24) ‘But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. (16:25) ‘Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” (16:26) ‘He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— (16:27) ‘for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” (16:28) ‘Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” (16:29)

197


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” (16:30) ‘He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’ (16:31)

198


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Warns on Offenses ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! (17:1) ‘It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. (17:2) ‘Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. (17:3) ‘And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’ (17:4)

Faith and Duty ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you. (17:6) ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? (17:7)

199


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? (17:8) ‘Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? (17:9) ‘So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’ (17:10)

Ten Lepers Cleansed ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. (17:14) ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? (17:17) ‘Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ (17:18) ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ (17:19)

The Coming of the Kingdom ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; (17:20) ‘nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’ (17:21)

200


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. (17:22) ‘They will say to you, “Look there!” or “Look here!” Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. (17:23) ‘For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. (17:24) ‘But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. (17:25) ‘Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. (17:26) ‘They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. (17:27) ‘Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, (17:28) ‘but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all of them (17:29) ‘it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. (17:30)

201


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. (17:31) ‘Remember Lot’s wife. (17:32) ‘Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. (17:33) ‘I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. (17:34) ‘There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.’ (17:35) ‘Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.’ (17:37)

202


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Persistent Widow ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. (18:2) ‘In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” (18:3) ‘For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, (18:4) ‘yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ (18:5) ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. (18:6) ‘And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? (18:7) ‘I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ (18:8)

203


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Pharisees and the Tax Collector ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. (18:10) ‘The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. (18:11) ‘I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” (18:12) ‘But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (18:13) ‘I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (18:14)

Jesus Blesses Little Children ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. (18:16) ‘Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ (18:17)

204


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. (18:19) ‘You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.” (18:20) ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ (18:22)

With God All Things Are Possible ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! (18:24) ‘Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ (18:25) ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’ (18:27) ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, (18:29) ‘who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’ (18:30)

205


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. (18:31) ‘For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. (18:32) ‘After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ (18:33)

A Blind Man Receives His Sight ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (18:41) 4‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ (18:42)

206


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ (18:5) ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is ason of Abraham. (18:9) “For the Son of Man has come ti seek and to save that which was lost.” (18:10)

The Parable of the Minas ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. (18:12) ‘He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” (18:13) ‘But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” (18:14) ‘When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. (18:15) ‘The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” (18:16)

207


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” (18:17) ‘Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” (18:18) ‘He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” (18:19) ‘Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, (18:20) ‘for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” (18:21) ‘He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? (18:22) ‘Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” (18:23) ‘He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” (18:24) “I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. (18:26) ‘But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them— bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.” ’ (18:27) 208


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Triumphal Entry ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. (18:30) ‘If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ (18:31) ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ (18:40)

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. (18:42) ‘Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. (18:43) ‘They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’ (18:44) ‘It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.’ (18:46)

209


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus’ Authority Questioned ‘I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: (20:3) ‘Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ (20:4) ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ (20:8)

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers ‘A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. (20:9) ‘When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. (20:10) ‘Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. (20:11) ‘And he sent yet a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. (20:12) ‘Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” (20:13) ‘But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, “This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.” (20:14)

210


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? (20:15) ‘He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. ‘What then does this text mean: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”? (20:17) “Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (20:18)

Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar? ‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ (20:24) ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ (20:25)

211


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

What about the Resurrection? ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; (20:34) ‘but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. (20:35) ‘Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. (20:36) ‘And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (20:37) ‘Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’ (20:38)

How Can David Call His Descendant Lord? ‘How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son? (20:41) ‘For David himself says in the book of Psalms, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, (20:42) ‘until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” (20:43) ‘David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ (20:44)

212


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Beware of the scribes ‘who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. (20:46) ‘They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ (20:47)

213


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Widow’s Two Mites ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; (21:3) ‘for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ (21:4)

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’ (21:6)

The Sign of the Times and the End of the Age ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”* and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them. (21:8) ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ (21:9) ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; (21:10) ‘there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. (21:11)

214


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. (21:12) ‘This will give you an opportunity to testify. (21:13) ‘So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; (21:14) ‘for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. (21:15) ‘You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. (21:16) ‘You will be hated by all because of my name. (21:17) ‘But not a hair of your head will perish. (21:18) ‘By your endurance you will gain your souls. (21:19)

The Destruction of Jerusalem ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (21:20) ‘Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; (21:21)

215


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written. (21:22) ‘Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; (21:23) ‘they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (21:24)

The Coming of the Son of Man ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. (21:25) ‘People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (21:26) ‘Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. (21:27) ‘Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ (21:28)

216


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Parable of the Fig Tree ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; (21:29) ‘as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. (21:30) ‘So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. (21:31) ‘Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. (21:32) ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’ (21:33)

The Importance of Watching ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, (21:34) ‘like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. (21:35) ‘Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’ (21:36)

217


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus and His Disciples Prepare the Passover ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ (22:8) ‘Listen,’ ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters (22:10) ‘and say to the owner of the house, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ” (22:11) ‘He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’ (22:12)

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; (22:15) ‘for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ (22:16) ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; (22:17) ‘for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ (22:18) ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ (22:19) ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (22:20)

218


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. (22:21) ‘For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ (22:22)

The Disciples Argue about Greatness ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. (22:25) ‘But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. (22:26) ‘For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (22:27) ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; (22:28) ‘and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, (22:29) ‘so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (22:30)

219


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ‘Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, (22:31) ‘but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ (22:32) ‘I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.’ (22:34)

Wallet, Bag, and Sword ‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ (22:35) ‘But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. (22:36) ‘For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, “And he was counted among the lawless”; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.’ (22:37) ‘It is enough.’ (22:38)

220


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Prayer in the Garden ‘When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ (22:40) ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ (22:42) ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ (22:46)

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ (22:48) ‘No more of this!’(22:51) ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? (22:52) ‘When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’ (22:53)

221


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ (22:61)

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; (22:67) ‘and if I question you, you will not answer. (22:68) ‘But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ (22:69) ‘You say that I am.’ (22:70)

222


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate ‘You say so.’ (23:3)

The King on a Cross ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (23:28) ‘For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” (23:29) ‘Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” (23:30) ‘For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’ (23:31) [[ ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] (23:34) ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ (23:43)

Jesus Dies on the Cross ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ (23:46)

223


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

He Is Risen ‘that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ (24:7)

The Road to Emmaus ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ (24:17) ‘What things?’ (24:19) ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! (24:25) ‘Was it not necessary that the Messiah* should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ (24:26)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples ‘Peace be with you.’ (24:36) ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ‘Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ (24:39) ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ (24:41) 224


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Scriptures Opened ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ (24:7) ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, (24:7) ‘and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (24:7) ‘You are witnesses of these things. (24:7) ‘And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ (24:7)

225


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

226


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

JOHN The First Disciples ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’, ‘where are you staying?’ (1:38) ‘Come and see.’ (1:39) ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’. (1:42)

Philip and Nathanael ‘Follow me.’ (1:43) ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ (1:47) ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ (1:48) ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ (1:50) ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’ (1:51)

227


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Water Turned to Wine ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ (2:4) ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. (2:7) ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. (2:8) ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ (2:16) ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ (2:19)

228


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The New Birth ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ (3:3) ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (3:5) ‘What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. (3:6) ‘Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” (3:7) ‘The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ (3:8) ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? (3:10) ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. (3:11) ‘If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? (3:12) ‘No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. (3:13)

229


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (3:14) ‘that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (3:15) ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (3:16) ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (3:17) ‘Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (3:18) ‘And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. (3:19) ‘For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. (3:20) ‘But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’ (3:21)

230


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah ‘Give me a drink’. (4:7) ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink”, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ (4:10) ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, (4:13) ‘but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ (4:14) ‘Go, call your husband, and come back.’ (4:16) ‘You are right in saying, “I have no husband”; (4:17) ‘for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!’ (4:18) ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. (4:21) ‘You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. (4:22) ‘But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. (4:23) 231


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ (4:24) ‘I am he,* the one who is speaking to you.’ (4:26)

The Whitened Harvest ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ (4:32) ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. (4:34) “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. (4:35) ‘The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. (4:36) ‘For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” (4:37) 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have labored, and ‘you have entered into their labour.’ (4:38)

232


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Nobleman’s Son Healed ‘Unless you* see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ (4:48) ‘Go; your son will live.’ (4:50) ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household. (4:53)

233


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda ‘Do you want to be made well?’ (5:6) ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ (5:8) ‘The man who made me well said to me, “Take up your mat and walk.” ’ (5:11) ‘See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Honor the Father and the Son (5:14) ‘My Father is still working, and I also am working.’ that nothing worse happens to you.’ (5:17) ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. (5:19) ‘The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. (5:20) ‘Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. (5:21) ‘The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, (5:22) ‘so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (5:23)

234


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Life and Judgment Are Through the Son ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. (5:24) ‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (5:25) ‘For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; (5:26) ‘and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. (5:27) ‘Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice (5:28) ‘and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (5:29) ‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. (5:30)

235


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Fourfold Witness ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. (5:31) ‘There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. (5:32) ‘You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. (5:33) ‘Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. (5:34) 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. (5:35) 36 But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. (5:36) ‘And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, (5:37) ‘and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. (5:38) ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. (5:39) 236


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (5:40) ‘I do not accept glory from human beings. (5:41) ‘But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. (5:42) ‘I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. (5:43) ‘How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? (5:44) ‘Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. (5:45) ‘If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. (5:46) ‘But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’ (5:47)

237


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Feeding the Five Thousand ‘Make the people sit down.’ (6:10) ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ (6:12)

Jesus Walks on the Sea ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ (6:20) ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. (6:26) ‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ (6:27) ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ (6:29) ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (6:32) ‘For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ (6:33) ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (6:35)

238


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. (6:36) ‘Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; (6:37) ‘for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. (6:38) ‘And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (6:39) ‘This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’ (6:40)

Rejected by His Own ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ (6:41) ‘They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ (6:42) ‘Do not complain among yourselves. (6:43) ‘No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. (6:44) ‘It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. (6:45) 239


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. (6:46) ‘Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. ‘I am the bread of life. (6:47) ‘Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (6:49) ‘This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. (6:50) ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ (6:51) ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (6:53) ‘Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; (6:54) ‘for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. (6:55) ‘Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. (6:56) ‘Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. (6:57)

240


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ (6:58)

Many Disciples Turn Away ‘Does this offend you? (6:61) ‘Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? (6:62) ‘It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (6:63) ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ (6:65) ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ (6:67) ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ (6:70)

241


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus’ Brothers Disbelieve ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. (7:6) ‘The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. (7:7) ‘Go to the festival yourselves. I am not* going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ (7:8)

The Heavenly Scholar ‘My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. (7:16) ‘Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. (7:17) ‘Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him. (7:18) ‘Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?’ (7:19) ‘I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. (7:21) Moses gave you circumcision, and you circumcise a man on the sabbath. (7:22)

242


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath? (7:23) ‘Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.’ (7:24)

Could This Be the Christ? ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. (7:28) ‘I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’ (7:29)

Jesus and the Religious Leaders ‘I will be with you a little while longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. (7:33) ‘You will search for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.’ (7:34) ‘What does he mean by saying, “You will search for me and you will not find me” and, “Where I am, you cannot come”?’ (7:36)

243


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Promise of the Holy Spirit ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, (7:37) and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart* shall flow rivers of living water.” ’ (7:38)

244


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

An Adulteress Faces the Light of the World ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ (8:7) ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ (8:10) ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’ (8:11) ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ (8:12)

Jesus Defends His Self Witness ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. (8:14) ‘You judge by human standards; I judge no one. (8:15) ‘Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. (8:16) ‘In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. (8:17)

245


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ (8:7) ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ (8:19)

Jesus Predicts His Departure ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ (8:21) ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ (8:22) ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. (8:23) ‘I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ (8:24) ‘Why do I speak to you at all? (8:25) ‘I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ (8:26)

246


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. (8:28) ‘And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ (8:29)

The Truth Shall Make You Free ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; (8:31) ‘and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ (8:32) ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (8:34) ‘The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. (8:35) ‘So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (8:36)

247


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Abraham’s Seed and Satan’s ‘I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. (8:37) ‘I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’ (8:38) ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, (8:39) ‘but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. (8:40) You are indeed doing what your father does.’ (8:41) ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. (8:42) ‘Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. (8:43) ‘You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (8:44) ‘But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. (8:45) ‘Which of you convicts me of sin? 248


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? (8:46) ‘Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ (8:47)

Before Abraham Was, I AM ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. (8:49) ‘Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. (8:50) ‘Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ (8:51) ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” (8:52) ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, “He is our God”, (8:54) ‘though you do not know him. But I know him; if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. (8:55) ‘Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ (8:56) ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.’ (8:58)

249


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. (9:3) ‘We* must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. (9:4) ‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ (9:5) ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’. (9:7)

The Vision and True Blindness ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ (9:35) ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ (9:39) ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains. (9:41)

250


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus the True Shepherd ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. (10:1) ‘The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. (10:2) ‘The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (10:3) ‘When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. (10:4) ‘They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ (10:5)

Jesus the Good Shepherd ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. (10:7) ‘All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. (10:8) ‘I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. (10:9)

251


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (10:10) ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (10:11) ‘The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. (10:12) ‘The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. (10:13) ‘I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, (10:14) ‘just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. (10:15) ‘I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (10:16) ‘For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. (10:17) ‘No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’ (10:18) 252


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; (10:25) ‘but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. (10:26) ‘My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. (10:27) ‘I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. (10:28) ‘What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. (10:29) ‘The Father and I are one.’ (10:30)

Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?’ (10:32) ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, you are gods”? (10:34) ‘If those to whom the word of God came were called “gods”—and the scripture cannot be annulled— (10:35)

253


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, “I am God’s Son”? (10:36) ‘If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. (10:37) ‘But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ (10:38)

254


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Death of Lazarus ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ (11:4) ‘Let us go to Judea again. (11:7) ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. (11:9) ‘But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ (11:10) ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ (11:11) ‘Lazarus is dead. (11:14) ‘For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ (11:15)

I Am the Resurrection and the Life ‘Your brother will rise again.’ (11:23) ‘I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, (11:25) ‘and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ (11:26)

255


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Last Enemy ‘Where have you laid him?’ (11:34)

Lazarus Raised from the Dead ‘Take away the stone.’ (11:39) ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ (11:40) ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. (11:41) ‘I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ (11:42) “Lazarus, come forth!” (11:43) “Loose him, and let him go.” (11:44)

256


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Anointing at Bethany ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. (12:7) ‘You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ (12:8)

The Fruitful Grain of Wheat ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (12:23) 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (12:24) ‘Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (12:25) ‘Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. (12:26)

257


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. (12:27) ‘Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ (12:28) ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. (12:30) ‘Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. (12:31) ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ (12:32) ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. (12:35) ‘While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ (12:36)

258


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Walk in the Light ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. (12:44) ‘And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. (12:45) ‘I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. (12:46) ‘I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. (12:47) ‘The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, (12:48) ‘for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. (12:49) ‘And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’ (12:50)

259


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Master Becomes a Servant ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ (13:7) ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ (13:8) ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ (13:10) ‘For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ (13:11)

We Also Must Serve ‘Do you know what I have done to you? (13:12) ‘You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. (13:13) ‘So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (13:14) ‘For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (13:15) ‘Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. (13:16) ‘If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (13:17)

260


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” (13:18) ‘I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. (13:19) ‘Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’ (13:20) ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ (13:21) ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ (13:26) ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ (13:27)

The New Commandment ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. (13:31) ‘If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. (13:32)

261


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” (13:33) ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (13:34) ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (13:35)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.’ (13:36) ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times. (13:38)

262


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Way, the Truth, and the Life ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. (14:1) ‘In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (14:2) ‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (14:3) ‘And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ (14:4) ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (14:6)

The Father Revealed ‘If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ (14:7) ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? (14:9) 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. (14:1)

263


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. (14:11)

The Answered Prayer ‘Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. (14:12) ‘I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14:13) ‘If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (14:14)

Jesus Promises Another Helper ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (14:15) ‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. (14:16) ‘This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. (14:17)

264


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. Indwelling of the Father and the Son (14:18) ‘In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. (14:19) ‘On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (14:20) ‘They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ (14:21) ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (14:23) ‘Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. (14:24)

265


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Gift of His Peace ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. (14:25) ‘But the Advocate,* the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. (14:26) ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (14:27) ‘You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. (14:28) ‘And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. (14:29) ‘I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; (14:30) ‘but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way. (14:31)

266


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The True Vine ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. (15:1) ‘He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. (15:2) ‘You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. (15:3) ‘Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. (15:4) ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. (15:5) ‘Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (15:6) ‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (15:7) ‘My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (15:8)

267


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Love and Joy Perfected ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. (15:9) ‘If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (15:10) ‘I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. (15:11) ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (15:12) ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (15:13) ‘You are my friends if you do what I command you. (15:14) ‘I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. (15:15) ‘You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. (15:16) ‘I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. (15:17)

268


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The World’s Hatred ‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. (15:18) ‘If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world— therefore the world hates you. (15:19) ‘Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. (15:20) ‘But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. (15:21) ‘If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (15:22) ‘Whoever hates me hates my Father also. (15:23) ‘If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. (15:24) ‘It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, “They hated me without a cause.” (15:25)

269


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Coming Rejection ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. (15:26) ‘You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. (15:27)

270


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. (16:1) ‘They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. (16:2) ‘And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. (16:3) ‘But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. (16:4)

The Work of the Holy Spirit ‘But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” (16:5) 6’But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. (16:6) 7’Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate* will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (16:7) ’And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: (16:8) ‘about sin, because they do not believe in me; (16:9)

271


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; (16:10) ‘about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. (16:11) ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. (16:12) ‘When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (16:13) ‘He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (16:14) ‘All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (16:15)

272


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ (16:16) ‘Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”? (16:19) ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. (16:20) ‘When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. (16:21) ‘So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (16:22) ‘On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (16:23) ‘Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (16:24)

273


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World ‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. (16:25) ‘On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; (16:26) ‘for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. (16:27) ‘I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.’ (16:28) ‘Do you now believe? (16:31) ‘The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. (16:32) ‘I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ (16:33)

274


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Jesus Prays for Himself ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, (17:1) ‘since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. (17:2) ‘And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (17:3) ‘I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. (17:4) ‘So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. (17:5)

Jesus Prays for His Disciples ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. (17:6) ‘Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; (17:7) ‘for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. (17:8)

275


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. (17:9) ‘All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. (17:10) ‘And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. (17:11) ‘While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. (17:12) ‘But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. (17:13) ‘I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. (17:14) ‘I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. (17:15) ‘They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. (17:16) ‘Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (17:17) ‘As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (17:18)

276


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. (17:1)

Jesus Prays for All Believers ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, (17:20) ‘that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (17:21) ‘The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, (17:22) ‘I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (17:23) ‘Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. (17:24) ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. (17:25)

277


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ (17:26)

278


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane ‘For whom are you looking?’ (18:4) ‘I am he.’ (18:5) ‘For whom are you looking?’ (18:7) ‘I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ (18:8) ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ (18:9) ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’ (18:11)

Jesus Questioned by the High Priest ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. (18:20) ‘Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ (18:21) ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ (18:23)

279


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

In Pilate’s Court ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ (18:34) ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ (18:36) ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ (18:37)

280


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Pilate’s Decision ‘You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ (19:11)

Behold Your Mother ‘Woman, here is your son.’ (19:26)

It Is Finished ‘I am thirsty.’ (19:28) ‘It is finished.’ (19:30)

281


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ (20:15) ‘Mary!’ (20:16) ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ (20:17)

The Apostles Commissioned ‘Peace be with you.’ (20:19) ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ (20:21) ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. (20:22) ‘If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ (20:23)

282


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Seeing and Believing ‘Peace be with you.’ (20:26) ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ (20:27) ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ (20:29)

283


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

Breakfast by the Sea ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ (21:5) ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ (21:6) ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ (21:10) ‘Come and have breakfast.’ (21:12)

Jesus Restores Peter ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Feed my lambs.’ (21:15) ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Tend my sheep.’ (21:16) ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Feed my sheep. (21:17) ‘Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (21:18) ‘Follow me.’ (21:19)

284


THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

The Beloved Disciple and His Book ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ (21:22) ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’ (21:23)

285


JESUS OWN WORDS THE SECRETS OF WISDOM - LOVE AND PROSPERITY

‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ‘and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ • ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. • ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. • ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. • ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. • ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. • ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. • ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. • ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. • ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account...... ISBN 978-0-9869076-1-6

40001 >

MONIA PUBLISHING 9 780986 907616

US$10

Canada $10


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.