The Life &

Teachings of

 Y’SHUA THE MESSIAH

(JESUS CHRIST)

As recorded in the Four Gospels of the Holy Bible

CPV – a Clear Preferred Version

FORWARD & INTRODUCTION

PART  1          THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE MESSIAH

PART  2          THE BEGINNING OF THE MESSIAH’S MINISTRY

PART  3          Y’SHUA’S FIRST RECORDED MIRACLE AND THE EARLY MINISTRY

PART  4          HEALING ON THE SABBATH, THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT,AND RAISING PEOPLE FROM THE DEAD

PART  5          THE 12 DISCIPLES, THE FEEDING OF 5,000 PEOPLE,AND PARABLES OF THE MESSIAH

PART  6          THE BREAD OF LIFE, THE TRANSFIGURATION, ND THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES 

PART  7          THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THE GOOD SHEPHERD,  AND THE GOOD SAMARITAN

PART  8          THE LOST SHEEP, THE LOST COIN, & THE LOST SON THE RICH, THE POOR, AND THE NEEDY 

PART  9          LAZARUS RAISED TO LIFE, MESSIAH’S TRIUMPHANT ENTRY, AND HIS LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM

PART 10         PROPHECIES ABOUT JERUSALEM, THE END TIMES, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

PART 11         THE LAST SUPPER (PASSOVER), MESSIAH’S PROMISE TO RETURN, HIS INTERCESSORY PRAYER, HIS ARREST AND TRIAL

PART 12         THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE MESSIAH, HIS BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION

PART 13         THE ASCENSION OF THE MESSIAH, AND THE DAY OF PENTECOST

PART 14         SALVATION through Y’SHUA the MESSIAH

PART 15         THE TWO NEW TESTAMENT GENEALOGIES OF Y’SHUA

PART 16         SOME OF THE MASTER'S FINAL WORDS BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED

FORWARD

THIS SERIES ... is a harmonized account of the main teachings and events of the life of Y’shua the Messiah, compiled from the Four Gospels in the Bible.  These Gospels are the inspired writings of four early, 1st Century A.D. disciples of Y’shua - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew and John were among the Master’s twelve closest disciples. They witnessed the events and heard Y’shua’s words first hand.  Matthew was originally a tax-collector.  John was a fisherman.

Mark was also an early, but younger, disciple. His mother, one of the several Marys mentioned in the Gospels, lived in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). He was called John Mark, and was a cousin of Barnabas.

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on part of their first missionary journey. Later, Mark was a great comfort to Paul who was in prison in Rome. Mark was also regarded as a son by the apostle Peter.  Mark’s Gospel is based on what he himself had seen and heard of the Master, and on what he had heard from the leading apostles, Peter and Paul.

Luke was a physician and a close travelling companion of Paul. He also worked with John Mark and knew him well. Luke was the only non-Jewish writer of a Bible book.  (He wrote the book of Acts as well as the Gospel of Luke.)

Each of the four writers give various details of the life of Y'shua. A number of events are recorded by each of them, but together the four accounts give a much fuller picture of the Messiah.

This booklet has been prepared for people who are seeking to understand who Y’shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) really was, and what He said and did, and why He has been worshiped by hundreds of millions around the world.

As a young man, Y'shua was thoroughly versed in the Hebrew Scriptures, and worked as a carpenter. His public ministry as a teacher began at the age of 30, and continued for 3 ½  years.

THE NAME OF JESUS / Y’SHUA

“Y’shua” is the actual Hebrew Name given to the Messiah - the Anointed One. Hebrew was, and is, the language of Israel. In English His Name is usually written as Jesus, but we have preferred to use His original name. 

 In fact, a name should sound the same in every language, but some tongues have difficulty in pronouncing the original Name - Y’shua. For example, the Greeks had no Y or SH in their language, so they substituted I for Y, and SOU for SHU, to write and speak the Saviour’s Name in their own way  - Iesous.

Because of transliteration problems, the Name Y’shua has been written as Yeshu, Yesu, Jesu, Jesus, Yesus, Iesous, Iesus, Isa, and Isua. But all these forms come from the original Hebrew word, Y’shua.

Does it matter which form of the Name we use? In one sense, no. But we prefer the Hebrew Name, first because it is the original Name, and secondly, because the Hebrew gives us the meaning of the Name

“Y” stands for YAH (the short form of the Name of YHWH - Yahweh, the eternally-existing One). “Shua" comes from the Hebrew word meaning salvation. So Y’SHUA means, “Yahweh is salvation.”

The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew term Mashiach, which means “The Anointed One.” The word Christos used in Greek, has the same meaning as Messiah. Christ and Messiah mean the same.

THE CLEAR PREFERRED VERSION

The English version used in this book is the Clear Preferred Version (CPV).  It aims at rendering the Scriptures in clear modern English while being faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.   It also prefers to use the original Name of the Messiah - Y’shua.

In the typesetting of this booklet, we have used italic type for supplied words - words that are not in the original language, but which are necessary to complete the English sentence. Italics are also used for words that amplify, or that bring out the meaning of a word or sentence.

Explanatory notes are also printed in italic type.

The headings used in this book are not in the Bible, but are used to set out the various events or teachings.

Sentences or parts of sentences that are printed in CAPITALS, are quotations from the Old Testament.  References are given in brackets.

THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY

In most English Bibles, the word LORD, when written with four capitals, is referring to the Almighty whose holy Name is written in Hebrew in the Old Testament as …

(YHWH).

(This Name may be pronounced as Yahweh; some prefer Yahwah.) 

The Greek New Testament uses the Greek word Kurios ‘Lord,’ for YHWH.  In the CPV version we have used YHWH when the sentence is a quotation from the Old Testament  which uses the holy Name. In other places where YHWH is not used but is implied, we use “YHWH  the LORD.”

For the ordinary word ‘Lord,’ we prefer to use ‘Master.”

INTRODUCTION

THE YEAR:      B.C. 4

THE PLACE:     Bethlehem, Judea, in the land of Israel.

THE EVENT:      The birth of the Child, Y’shua the Messiah.

“For today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Heavenly Master.” (Luke 2:11). “You are to give Him the Name, Y’SHUA.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”   (Luke 1:31-32)

This great event was foretold by the Hebrew prophets:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be noticed among the clans of Judah.  For out of you will come forth for Me, the One who will be Ruler in Israel. His origins are from of old - from eternity.”       (Micah 5:2)

(Bethlehem means "House of bread." The city is situated a few kilometres south of Jerusalem.)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will rest upon His shoulders. His Name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

THE BIBLE WORLD IN THE TIMES OF THE MESSIAH

PART 1

THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE MESSIAH

THE ETERNAL WORD BECOMES MAN

The first book of the Bible says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God simply spoke the word, and things came into existence.  Now John begins his account by  declaring that not only did God speak the word, He Himself was the Word that made all things. John explains that the Word was God, and the Word became a Man  -  the Man Y’shua.

John, the writer of the Gospel, was a son of Zebedee, a fisherman.  Another man, described in the Gospels, was John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah, a Jewish priest. John   the Baptist was a forerunner of  the Messiah.

JOHN 1:1-18

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning - before all time. All things came into being through Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

In Him was life; and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not  under-stand it, and is not receptive to it.

JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE FORERUNNER OF MESSIAH

There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John (Yochanan  in Hebrew). He came as a witness to testify concerning the Light, so that through him (that is, through his witness), all might believe in the Light. He himself was not the Light; he came only as a witness to the Light. Y’shua was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world.

He, Y’shua, was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not know Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him - to those who believe in, who trust in His Name -  He gave the right to become children of God;  children, born, not of blood (of natural descent), nor of the will of the flesh (human decision), nor of the will of man (a natural father), but of YHWH the Almighty God.

The Word became flesh (incarnate, human), and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory  - the glory of the “only begotten” (“the one and only Son”) who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John witnessed concerning Him, and cried out, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me, for He was before me’.” For out of His fullness we have all received grace upon grace - blessing upon blessing. For while the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Y’shua the Messiah.

No man has seen God at any time; but “the only begotten” - the unique Son who is, and has been eternally in the bosom of the Father (that is, in the intimate Presence of the Father), has made Him known.               

Let us go back now and read the account of the birth of both John the Baptist, and Y’shua the Messiah.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN PROMISED

LUKE 1:5-25

In the days of Herod the king of Judea, (Judea was one of the provinces of Israel), there was a certain Jewish priest named Zechariah, who was of the priestly division of Abiyah. His wife also was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and requirements of YHWH the LORD. But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both quite advanced in years.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the LORD and burn incense.

Now at the time of the incense, the entire crowd of people were praying outside. Then an angel of the LORD appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And seeing him, Zechariah was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him;

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name Yochanan (John). You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the LORD. He must never drink wine or strong drink. He will be filled with  the  Holy  Spirit  even  from  his  mother’s  womb, and  He  will turn many of the children of Israel back to YHWH the LORD their God.  He will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN [Malachi 4:6], and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the LORD.”

Zechariah asked the angel, “How shall I know this? I am an old man, and my wife is well on in years.”

The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things happen.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and they were surprised that he delayed so long in the temple. When he eventually came out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple for he kept making signs to them; but he remained dumb. And when his time of service was completed, he departed to his house.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she remained in seclusion, saying, “The LORD has done this for me; in these days He has shown favour to me and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

THE MOTHER OF THE MESSIAH

LUKE 1:26-38

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, in northern Israel, called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Miryam (Mary).

The angel came to her and said, “I respect you highly! You are the Favoured One! The LORD is with you! You are the most blessed of all women!”

When she saw him, she was very disturbed at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Miryam, for you have found favour with God. Listen! You will be-come pregnant and will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the Name, Y’SHUA.

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the YHWH God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the House of Jacob for ever. There will never be an end to His kingdom.”

“How can this be,” Miryam asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High, will overshadow you. For that reason the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. And look, your relative, Elizabeth, who was said to be barren, has also conceived a son in her old age. She is already in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Miryam replied: “Here am I, the servant of YHWH. Let it happen to me according to your word.”   Then the angel left her.

MIRYAM VISITS ELIZABETH

LUKE 1:39-49

Then Miryam got ready and hurried to a city in the hill country of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Now when Elizabeth heard Miryam’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed;

“How blessed are you among women! And how blessed is the Child in your womb! But why has this happened to me - that the mother of my Master should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things which were spoken to her by the LORD.”

And Miryam said: 

“My soul exalts the LORD, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has regarded with favour the lowly state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me! And holy is His Name.”

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

LUKE 1:57-80

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the LORD had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him by the name of his father, Zechariah. But his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called Yochanan (John.)”

They said to her, “But there is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” Then they made signs to his father asking what he would have him called.  So he motioned for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is Yochanan  -  John  (meaning: YHWH GIVES).” And they were all surprised.

Immediately his power of speech returned, and he began to speak, praising God. Then an awe came over all those living around them; and all these details were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. Everyone who heard these things kept wondering and asking, “What is this child going to be?”

And the hand of YHWH the LORD was with him.  Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied:

“Blessed is the LORD, the God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up ‘a Horn of Salvation’ - a mighty Deliverer - for us, in the house of David His servant - as He foretold through His holy prophets of long ago  - salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US  [Psalm 106:10]; to show mercy to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath that He swore to Abraham our father, that having been delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might be enabled to serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS [Malachi 3:1], to give His people the knowledge of salvation;  that is, through the remission of their sins. 

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, a SUN  RISING  from on high has visited us  [Malachi 4:2];  TO GIVE LIGHT TO THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS [Isaiah. 9:2] and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.        

AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH

MATTHEW 1:18-25

Now the birth of Y’shua the Messiah took place like this. When His mother Miryam was betrothed (pledged, engaged) to Joseph (Yosef), but before they lived together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

Then her husband-to-be, Joseph, being a righteous man, and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, desired to send her away quietly and secretly - breaking their betrothal.  But while he thought about all this, an angel of YHWH the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, “Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam as your wife; for the Child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son; and you shall call His name Y’shua (which means, YHWH is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfil what the LORD had said through the prophet [Isaiah 7:14]: “Watch for this! The virgin shall conceive, and will give birth to a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel; which translated means, ‘God is with us’.”

When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of YHWH the LORD commanded him, and took her as his wife; but he did not have sexual relations with her until after she had given birth to her firstborn Son; and he gave Him the Name, Y’shua.

THE BIRTH OF Y’SHUA

LUKE 2:1-20

In those days a decree was issued by Caesar Augustus (the Roman Emperor), that a census be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own town or city. And Joseph also, because he was of the house and line of King  David,  went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the town of David which is called Bethlehem; in order to register, along with Miryam, his betrothed wife who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son; and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths (that is, long strips of cloth used for wrapping newborn babies), and laid Him in a manger - an eating trough in an animal stable, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the countryside nearby, there were some shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the LORD suddenly appeared to them, and the Glory of YHWH the LORD shone around them; and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid! I bring you good news that will be great joy for all the people; for today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Master. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger.”

 Then suddenly a great company of heavenly messengers appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace among men of good will.”

And when the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go immediately to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the LORD has made known to us.”

So they came quickly and found their way to Miryam and Joseph, and to the Baby who was lying in the manger.

And when they had seen Him, they spread the news concerning what had been told them about the Child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Miryam treasured up all these things, pondering over them in her heart.

Then the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, for it was just as they had been told.

Y’SHUA NAMED, AND DEDICATED

LUKE  2:21-22

At the end of eight days when it was time to circumcise the Child, He was named Y’SHUA - the Name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to YHWH the LORD.       

SIMEON’S PROPHECY

LUKE 2:25-39

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This righteous and devout man was waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the One anointed of the LORD - the Messiah.

Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit into the temple just at the time when the parents brought in the Child Y’shua, to do for Him what the custom of the Law required.

Then Simeon took Him into his arms, and praised and thanked God, saying,

“Adonai (Master), now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your Yeshu’ah, Your Salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people Israel.”

Both Joseph, and Y’shua’s mother were amazed at what Simeon said about Him.

Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Y’shua’s mother, Miryam: “Look! This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign which will be spoken against - that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce even your own soul.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with her husband seven years after she married; and she was a widow of about eighty-four years. She never left the temple, but served there night and day with fastings and prayers.

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to the LORD, and spoke about the Child to all those who were looking for, and expecting redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had done everything required by the law of the LORD, Miryam and Joseph returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

WISE MEN WORSHIP THE YOUNG CHILD

MATTHEW  2:1-12

After Y’shua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of  the king, Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.”

When King Herod heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they replied, “for this is what has been written by the prophet:

AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, IN THE LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE RULERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU WILL COME A RULER, WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.”   [Micah 5:2]

Then Herod secretly called the wise men and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and make a careful search for the Child; and as soon as you find Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way; and the star which they had seen in the East, appeared again, and went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. And when they saw the star they were overjoyed. And going into the house they saw the Child with Miryam His mother; and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another route.

HEROD’S ATTEMPT TO KILL Y’SHUA

   MATTHEW  2:13-23

When the wise men had departed, an angel of YHWH the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said, “take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” So he got up, took the Child and His mother during the night and departed for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.

And so that which the LORD had said through the prophet was fulfilled:

“OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.” [Hosea 11:1]

Then when Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, he became furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.

Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled; 

“A VOICE IS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN AND REFUSING TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY ARE NO MORE.”  [Jeremiah 31:15]

After Herod died, an angel of YHWH the LORD appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are now dead.”     

So he got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he withdrew to the regions of Galilee, and went and lived in a town called Nazareth. And so, that which was spoken through the prophets, was fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazaraean.”

Y’SHUA IN THE TEMPLE AT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE

LUKE 2:40-52

Y’SHUA WITH THE ELDERS IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

THE TEMPLE. Israel’s only temple was on Mt Moriah in Jerusalem. It was the centre of Israel’s national and religious life; and animal sacrifices were regularly offered there.

The first temple had been built by King Solomon. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in B.C. 586.  Later, a smaller temple was built by Zerubbabel and the exiles who returned from Babylon in B.C. 538 and 458.

That simple temple was replaced by a magnificent structure commissioned by King Herod the Great (the Herod who tried to kill the Baby Y’shua.)  It was begun in B.C. 19 and was finished only in A.D. 64 - six years before it was destroyed by the Romans. This temple was the one existing during the days of Y’shua, who referred to it as "My Father’s House."  

There were many other Jewish religious meetings places situated throughout Israel, called synagogues. But they were not places of sacrifice.

The Child Y’shua grew and became strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Now every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pesach - the Passover. And when Y’shua was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast according to the custom.

When the Feast was over, while they were returning home, the Boy Y’shua lingered behind in Jerusalem. But Joseph and His mother did not realize this. Assuming that He was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey, and then sought Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for Him.

After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and answers.

When Joseph and Miryam saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look! Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You!”

“Why were you searching for Me?” He replied. “Didn’t you know that I must be involved in the affairs of My Father?”

But they did not understand what He was saying to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was continually obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Y’shua increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

PART 2

THE BEGINNING OF THE MESSIAH’S MINISTRY

THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

 MATTHEW  3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the desert of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  

This is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet:  THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE DESERT; PREPARE THE WAY OF YHWH THE LORD. MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!    [Isaiah 40:3]

John had a garment of camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt about his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Then people went out to him from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region of the Jordan, and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

John soon had encounters with the two main religious parties in Israel  -  the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Pharisees laid great stress upon the observance of rites and ceremonies. They made a pretense of superiority, and separated themselves from the common people.

The Sadducees were a materialistic party that denied the resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits. They rejected the traditions of the elders and the Pharisees.

Y’shua was accused many times by the Pharisees, who considered themselves the voice of authority. Like John, He saw through the religious facade of this religious "elite," and challenged them concerning their hypocrisy.

When John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance! And do not presume you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! The axe is already at the root of the trees; and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down, and thrown into the fire.

“As for me, I baptize you in water because of repentance; but He who is coming after me is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor; gathering His wheat into the barn, and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

This is the first reference to Hell in the New Testament.

THE BAPTISM OF Y’SHUA

MATTHEW  3:13-17

Then Y’shua came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to deter Him; “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” he asked.

But Y’shua replied, “Permit it at this time: for it is fitting for both of us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Y’shua was baptized, He went up out of the water; and at that moment, the heavens were opened, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting upon Him. And a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My Son, My Beloved; with Him I am well pleased.”

THE TEMPTATION OF Y’SHUA

LUKE  4:1-13

Then Y’shua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert where, for forty days, He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days; and when they had ended, He became very hungry.

And the devil said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”  Y’shua answered him: “It is written,

MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF YHWH.”                  [Deuteronomy 8:3]

Then the devil took Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant, all the kingdoms of the world, and he said to Him, “I will give You all this authority and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I can give to anyone I want to. So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”  Y’shua answered and said to him;

“Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP YHWH YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.”   [Deut. 6:13]

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the highest point of the temple, and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, cast Yourself down from here; for it is written:

HE WILL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU TO GUARD YOU carefully in all Your ways, and IN THEIR HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.”   [Psalm 91:11-12]

And Y’shua replied to him, “It is said:

YOU SHALL NOT PUT YHWH YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.”   [Deuteronomy 6:16]

When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him to await another opportune time.              

JOHN’S WITNESS TO THE PRIESTS

JOHN 1:19-28

 The priesthood of Israel was established in the Sinai, after the people were delivered from the slavery of Egypt, under Moses’  leadership, in or about 1290 B.C.  The priests were all from the tribe of Levi.  Aaron, the brother of Moses, was consecrated as the first high priest.

Now this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and other Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

He was straightforward and did not conceal anything, but declared, “I am not the Messiah.” So they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”  Then they said to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”

He replied: “I am ‘The VOICE of one CRYING IN THE DESERT; MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF YHWH,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”   [Isaiah 40:3]

Now those who were sent were from among the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. He is the One who comes after me but who ranks ahead of me. I am not worthy even to untie His sandals.”

This all happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.                   

JOHN’S WITNESS ABOUT MESSIAH

JOHN  1:29-34

John recognized very clearly that Y’shua was not only a prophet;  He was the Lamb of God  -  the One of whom Isaiah the prophet wrote   -   the One who would pay the penalty for the sins of mankind.

The next day John saw Y’shua coming to him, and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who ranks ahead of me, for He was before me.’ I myself did not know Him; but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”

And John testified: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen this happen and I have testified that this One - Y’shua - is the Son of God.”                         

Y’SHUA’S FIRST DISCIPLES

JOHN 1:35-51

Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples; and watching Y’shua as He walked by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Y’shua.

Turning around, Y’shua saw them following, and asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to Him, “Rabbi, (which means ‘Teacher’), where are You staying?” “Come,” He replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where He was staying, and they remained with Him that day. It was about the tenth hour (4 p.m.).

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother was one of the two who heard what John said, and followed Y’shua.  The first thing Andrew did after that was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah,” (which means, ‘the Anointed One’).

And he brought him to Y’shua. Looking at him, Y’shua said, “You are Simon the son of Jonas. You will be called Kefa” (which means ‘stone.’)”  

(Kefa is transliterated into Greek as Cephas, and translated into Greek as Petros,  a stone. And into English as Peter.)

The next day Y’shua wanted to go to Galilee (in northern Israel). He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida (in Galilee), the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip then found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One of whom Moses wrote in the Torah - the Law, and of whom the prophets also wrote - Y’shua, the Son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see!”

When Y’shua saw Nathanael coming towards Him, He said of him, “Look! A true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”

“How do You know me?” Nathanael asked Him. Y’shua answered, “I saw you when you were under the fig tree, before Philip called you.”

Nathanael replied, “Rabbi (Teacher), You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Y’shua answered, “Do you believe because I said  I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” Then He added, “I tell you the truth, hereafter you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

FOUR FISHERMEN CALLED

MARK  1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Y’shua came to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. “The time is fulfilled,” He said. “The kingdom of God is near! Repent, and believe the Good News.”

As He walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake - for they were fishermen. Then Y’shua said to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you into fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

When He had gone a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, both of them in their boat, putting their nets in order. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed Him.     

GALILEE IN NORTHERN ISRAEL

PART 3

Y’SHUA’S FIRST RECORDED MIRACLE

AND THE EARLY MINISTRY OF THE MESSIAH

WATER CHANGED INTO WINE

JOHN  2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Y’shua was there. Now both Y’shua and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  And when they ran out of wine,  Y’shua’s mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”

Y’shua said to her, “Woman, how does that concern Me and you? My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Now there were six stone water pots standing there, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Y’shua said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it to him.

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the choice wine, and when the guests have had plenty to drink, then that which is inferior is brought out; but you have kept the best wine until now.”

This, the first of His miraculous signs, Y’shua performed in Cana of Galilee, revealing His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.

OVERTURNING THE MERCHANDISE OF THE TEMPLE

JOHN 2:13-23

Now Pesach, the Passover of the Jews was near, and Y’shua went up to Jerusalem. And He found merchants in the temple selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting doing business. And having made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ coins and overturned the tables. And He said to those selling doves, “Take these things away!   Do not make the House of My Father, a house of merchandise!”

Then His disciples remembered that it was written,

THE ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS EATEN ME UP.  [Psalm 69:9]

So the Jews demanded of Him, “What sign can You show to us to prove Your authority to do all these things?”

Y’shua answered them; “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”

Then the Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

But He was speaking of the temple of His body. After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the words which Y’shua had spoken.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many people believed in His Name when they saw the signs which He was doing.

A MODEL OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM THAT WAS EXPANDED

AND EMBELLISHED BY KING HEROD IN THE TIMES OF THE MESSIAH

MINISTRY IN HIS HOME TOWN OF NAZARETH

LUKE 4:14-21

Then Y’shua returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit; and news about Him spread through the whole countryside.

He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. And He went to Nazareth where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath (the seventh day, the day of rest), and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. When He opened the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO RELEASE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF YHWH THE LORD.   [Isaiah 61:1-2]

Then He rolled up the scroll, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.  The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

A synagogue is a Jewish place of gathering, for teaching and worship. Israel had only one temple, but many synagogues.

AN EARLY ATTEMPT TO KILL Y’SHUA

LUKE  4:22-30

All were speaking well of Y’shua, and wondering at the gracious words coming out of His mouth, and they said, “Is this not the son of Joseph?’

Then He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here also, in your hometown, the things that we have heard You did at Capernaum’.”

And He said, “I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own country. And I tell you this truth, that in Israel, in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land of Israel, there were many widows; but Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon - to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and yet not one of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

When all the people in the synagogue heard these things they were filled with rage. Getting up, they pushed Him out of the city, and brought Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, so that they might hurl Him off the cliff.  But He passed right through the middle of the crowd, and went His way.

IN CAPERNAUM, GALILEE

MATTHEW  4:13-17

And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in  Capernaum, which is by the sea of Galilee, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY  THE  WAY  OF  THE  SEA,  BEYOND  THE  JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES; THE PEOPLE WHO SAT IN DARKNESS  SAW  A  GREAT  LIGHT,  AND  UPON  THOSE WHO  SAT  IN  THE  REGION  AND  SHADOW  OF  DEATH,  LIGHT  HAS DAWNED.   [Isaiah 9:1-2]

From that time Y’shua began to preach, saying,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

AN EVIL SPIRIT CAST OUT A MAN IN THE SYNAGOGUE

MARK 1:21-28

After they went to Capernaum, immediately on the Sabbath, Y’shua entered the synagogue and taught.  And the people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes - the teachers of the law.

There was a man in their synagogue possessed by an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Y’shua of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!”

But Y’shua rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And after shaking him violently, the unclean spirit came out of him with a great shriek.

Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new teaching is this - and with authority? He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” And immediately His fame spread over the whole region around Galilee.

PART OF WHAT IS LEFT OF THE CAPERNAUM SYNAGOGUE TODAY

HIGH FEVER HEALED

LUKE  4:38-39

After leaving the synagogue, Y’shua entered into the house of Simon, where Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a very high fever; and they asked Him about her. Then standing over her, He rebuked the fever; and it left her. And immediately she got up and began to serve them.          

EVERY TYPE OF DISEASE HEALED

LUKE 4:40-41

Now when the sun was setting, everyone who had any friends and relatives who were sick with various diseases, brought them to Y’shua; and laying His hands on every one of them, He healed them.

Moreover, demons came out of many, screaming and crying out, “You are the Messiah, the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Messiah.

A FRANK TALK WITH NICODEMUS

JOHN  3:1-22

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Y’shua by night, and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no-one could do these signs that You do if God were not with him.”

Y’shua replied, “This is the solemn truth I tell you; no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Nicodemus asked Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

Y’shua answered, “I tell you the truth; no-one can enter into the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Holy Spirit.”

“Water” here  speaks of the Word of God. The Word applied by the Holy Spirit leads to regeneration, that is, new spiritual birth and cleansing. (See Ephesians 5:26, Titus 3:5.)  Baptism is an outward expression of the new birth that has taken place in the believer, and it is a public testimony to his faith in the Saviour.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised that I said to you,

“YOU  MUST  BE  BORN  AGAIN!

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus asked Him, “How can these things be possible?”

“Are you the teacher of Israel,” Y’shua answered, “and you do not know these things? I tell you the truth; We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, but still you do not accept Our witness. If you do not believe when I have told you earthly things, how are you going to believe when I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven except He who came down from heaven - the Son of Man who is in heaven.

The “Son of Man” is a title that Y’shua used in referring to Himself. In these next verses, the Messiah tells of His coming crucifixion  -  He would be “lifted up” on a cross, to die, in order to save mankind from the penalty of sin.

“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For YHWH, the Almighty God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten (His only and unique) Son, so that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal (everlasting) life.

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world; but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten, the one and only unique Son of God.

“And this is the judgment - the indictment - that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practises the truth comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been done through God.”

After this, Y’shua and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and He remained there with them, and baptized.         

JOHN’S TESTIMONY CONCERNING Y’SHUA

JOHN  3:23-36

Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. And the people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Then a dispute arose between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, of whom you testified - look, He is baptizing, and everyone is coming to Him!”

John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves are witnesses that I said, I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of Him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete.

“It is right for Him to increase, and for me to decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is from the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has placed everything in His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

THE PROPHET JOHN IMPRISONED

LUKE  3:18-20

And with many other words John exhorted and preached good news to the people. But Herod the district ruler, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the wicked deeds which he (Herod) had done, added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

SAMARITANS BELIEVE IN Y’SHUA

JOHN 4:1-42

Samaria was the region between Judea and Galilee. After the reign of King Solomon (971 to 931 B.C.), Israel divided into two kingdoms. The city of Samaria became the capital of the northern kingdom (Israel), while Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom (Judah).  Samaria was destroyed by Assyria in B.C. 722, while Judah was destroyed by Babylon in B.C. 586.

The Samaritans we read of in this chapter, were descendants of the survivors of the northern kingdom. They had intermarried with an imported alien population after the fall of Samaria.  They never made common cause with the Jews who returned from Babylon; rather, they built their own temple in Samaria, which was  destroyed in B.C. 128 by a Jewish king.  There  was continuous animosity between Jews and Samaritans.

When the Master knew that the Pharisees had heard that He, Y’shua, was making and baptizing more disciples than John, (although Y’shua Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples), He left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

Now He had to go through Samaria. So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there; and Y’shua, being wearied from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour (midday).

When a woman of Samaria came to draw water, Y’shua said to her: “Give Me water to drink.” (His disciples had gone off into the town to buy food.)  Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Y’shua answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, You do not even have a vessel to draw with, and the well is deep. From where, then, do You get the living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his cattle?”

Y’shua answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never ever thirst again. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up into eternal life.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw.”

Y’shua said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.”

The woman replied, “I have no husband.”

Y’shua said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband, for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I can see that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one ought to worship is in Jerusalem.”

Y’shua said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know; for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and in  fact, it  has already come, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The woman said to Him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the One who is called Christ - the Anointed. When that One comes He will explain all things to us.”

Y’shua said to her, “I am He - the One speaking to you.”

And at this point His disciples came, and they were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do You want?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

The woman then left her water pot, went away into the town, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” Then they left the town and were coming to Him.

In the meantime His disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, have something to eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Then the disciples said to each other, “Did anyone bring Him anything to eat?”

Y’shua said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest! He who is reaping receives a reward, and gathers fruit for eternal life; so that both he who is sowing and he who is reaping rejoice together. Thus the saying; ‘One sows and another reaps,’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have worked hard, and you have entered into the benefits of their labours.”

And many of the Samaritans of that town believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.  Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this is indeed the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.”

A NOBLEMAN’S SON HEALED

JOHN  4:45-53

When Y’shua came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him, having seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they also had gone to the festival.

Then Y’shua came again to Cana of Galilee where He had changed the water into wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Y’shua had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Y’shua then said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”

The nobleman said to Him, “Master, come down before my child dies!”

Y’shua said to him, “Go on your way; your son lives.” And the man believed the word that Y’shua spoke to him, and departed. And while he was still on the way, his servants met him and told him, “Your son is living!”

He then enquired of them the hour when he got better. And they told him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour (1 p.m.).” So the father knew that it was at the exact time when Y’shua had said to him, “Your son lives.” Then both he and all his household believed.

JOHN’S QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MESSIAH

LUKE  7:18-19, 21-30

Then the disciples of John told him about all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Y’shua to ask, “Are You the One who is coming, or should we look for another?”

At that very time Y’shua healed many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. Then Y’shua answered the messengers; “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the Good News is preached to the poor. Blessed is he who does not stumble because of Me.”

When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Otherwise what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments? Look, those who are gorgeously dressed and living in luxury, are in kings’ palaces! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes! I tell you, and much more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written:

SEE! I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.   [Malachi :3:1]

“I tell you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Then all the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard this, declared God righteous, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees, and those learned in the law, rejected the counsel of God for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.

SETTING PEOPLE FREE

MARK 1:35-39

Now having risen very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Y’shua left the house and went to a solitary place, and was praying there. And Simon and those who were with him searched for Him. And when they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”  But He replied, “Let us go to the nearby towns so that I may preach there also; for this is what I came out for.”

And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout Galilee, and casting out demons.

A LEPER HEALED

MATTHEW  8:1-4

After Y’shua had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. Then a leper came and bowed down before Him and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Y’shua stretching out His hand, touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be cleansed.” And immediately he was cured of his leprosy. And Y’shua said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and as a testimony to the people, present the offering that Moses commanded.”               

DEMON-POSSESSED PEOPLE DELIVERED

MATTHEW  8:16-17

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfil what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet;

HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES, AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.  [Isaiah 53:4]

A PARALYTIC HEALED

MARK  2:1-12

After some days Y’shua again entered Capernaum, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no room left, not even near the door. And He preached the Word to them.

Then some people came to Him, bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. And since they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him. And when they had broken through, they let down the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying. When Y’shua saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there and they were reasoning in their hearts:  “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

And immediately Y’shua, knowing in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your stretcher and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” - He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, Rise, take up your stretcher, and go back to your house.”

Immediately he got up, took the stretcher, and went out in the sight of all, so that all were amazed and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

A TAX COLLECTOR CALLED

MARK  2:14-17

As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. Y’shua said to him, “Follow Me!” And Levi got up and followed Him. (Levi was also called Matthew.)

Now as He sat to eat in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat with Y’shua and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they asked His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 

When Y’shua heard this, He said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”                                                                                          

MEN’S EXCUSES

LUKE  9:57-62

As they were going along the road, someone said to Y’shua, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

And Y’shua said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

And He said to another, “Follow Me.”  But the man said, “Let me first go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Another also said, “Master, I will follow You, but first let me say goodbye to those at my home.” But Y’shua said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”                                                      

Here, the Master was not advocating that disciples should neglect their families. He is dealing with the excuses people make to avoid following the Way.  In the verse above, “to bury my father,”  was simply saying, “I cannot follow now - maybe after some time - after my father has died, then I’ll be free to follow.”

PART 4

HEALING ON THE SABBATH, 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT,

AND RAISING PEOPLE FROM THE DEAD

JOHN  5:2-30

The Sabbath was the weekly day of rest which God commanded all Israelites to keep.  There was to be no work carried out on the seventh day - Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. (Exodus 20:8-16. Ezekiel 20:12-20). The Pharisees preached Sabbath law, but instead of the Sabbath being a blessing as God intended, the Pharisees made it a bondage. They hedged the Law around with great strictness, but at the same time, made loop-holes so they could escape its restrictions.  Y’shua performed miracles even on the Sabbath, and did things that the Pharisees saw as “breaking the Law.”  They then accused Him of being from the devil because He “broke God’s Law.”  But Y’shua clearly demonstrated that Sabbath rest was made for man's blessing and benefit, and was not intended to be a bondage like the priests and Pharisees had made it.

Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, a pool which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these porches a multitude of sick people were lying - blind, lame and paralyzed, waiting for the stirring of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water, then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was cured of whatever disease he had.

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Y’shua saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

Y’shua said to him, “Rise, take up your bedding, and walk.” And immediately the man was healed and took up his bedding and began to walk. Now that day was the Sabbath.

Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your bedding.”

But he answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bedding and walk’.”

Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bedding, and walk’?” But he who was healed did not know who it was, for Y’shua had slipped away, a crowd being in that place. 

Afterward Y’shua found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been healed; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may befall you.”

The man went away and told the Jews that is was Y’shua who had healed him. And for this reason the Jews persecuted Y’shua, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.

But Y’shua answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I myself am working.” So because of this, the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He was not only breaking the Sabbath, but He also called God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

PART OF THE EXCAVATED POOL OF BETHESDA IN JERUSALEM AS IT IS TODAY

Y’shua therefore said to them, “I assure you of the truth, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son also does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all that He Himself is doing; and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel.

“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For the Father judges no one, but He has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son even as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him.

“I tell you the truth, he who hears My Word, and believes in Him who sent Me, has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Most assuredly I tell you the truth, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself; and He has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

“Do not be amazed at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth - those who have done good, to a resurrection of life, and those who have practised evil to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own initiative; as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me.”   

THE MASTER OF THE SABBATH

LUKE  14:1-6.  MARK  2:23-28

On one occasion when Y’shua went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on a Sabbath, to eat bread, they were watching Him closely.

Now watch this! In front of Him there was a certain man suffering from dropsy - a disease that causes the body to swell with fluid. And Y’shua responded by asking the experts in Mosaic law and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”  But they kept silent.

So taking hold of him, He healed him, and sent him away. Then He asked them, “Which one of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” And they were unable to reply to this.                   

Now it happened that Y’shua went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. And as they went His disciples began to pluck the ears of corn. Then the Pharisees said to Him, “Look at that! Why are they doing what is not right on the Sabbath?”

But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry, both he and his companions: how he went into the House of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated showbread which is lawful only for priests to eat; and he also gave some to those who were with him?”

Then He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Master of the Sabbath.”

A WITHERED HAND HEALED ON A SABBATH

MARK  3:1-6

Y’shua entered the synagogue again, and a man who had a withered hand was there. And the Pharisees were watching Him, to see if He would heal the man on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

Then He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come up here to the centre.” And He asked them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

After looking around at them with anger, being grieved by the hard-ness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored - just like the other hand. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

MANY MORE HEALED

MARK  3:7-12

Y’shua withdrew with His disciples to the sea, and a great crowd from Galilee followed Him. And when they heard how many things He was doing, a great crowd came to Him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea and from beyond the Jordan; and also people from Tyre and Sidon.

And because of the crowd, He told His disciples to have a small boat kept ready for Him, lest the people should press in upon Him; for He had healed so many that all those suffering with afflictions pushed forward to touch Him.

And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” But He warned them many times not to make Him known.   

MESSIAH’S TEACHING ON THE MOUNTAIN

MATTHEW  5:1-16, 43-44

Many people have heard a few of the Master's words from “The Sermon on the Mount,” which was addressed to Y’shua’s disciples   The next three pages are a part of that message. The full “sermon” may be read in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5, 6 and 7.  “Blessed” means to have the joyous experience of God’s favour, grace and salvation, regardless of outward circumstances.

THE BLESSED

Now when He saw the crowds, Y’shua went up a mountainside (in Galilee); and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Then He spoke to them and began to teach them, saying;

Blessed are the poor in spirit - the humble, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn - those who weep because of sin, and those who are grief-stricken - for they will be comforted.

Blessed  are the gentle - the meek and patient - for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled and satisfied.

Blessed  are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed  are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed  are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed  are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men revile, insult and slander you, and when they persecute you, telling all kinds of vicious lies about you because of Me.  Rejoice, and be glad for your reward in heaven is great, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its saltiness - its taste, strength and quality, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp, and put it under a basket, but rather they put it on a lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and praise and glorify your Father in heaven.

You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR, [Lev 19:18] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who insult and persecute you.

ON PRAYER

MATTHEW  6:5-15

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by people. Yes, I tell you, they have their reward already. 

But when YOU pray, go into your most private room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.

When you are praying, do not go on repeating futile words as Gentiles do, for they think God will hear them because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  Pray, then, like this:

THE LORD’S PRAYER

    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.

    Your kingdom come,

    Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread.

    Forgive us our debts, as we also

    have forgiven those who were indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil, and the evil one.

    For Yours is the kingdom, and the power,

    and the glory, forever. Amen!

For if you forgive men their trespasses when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

ON TREASURES

MATTHEW  6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

AND DAILY NEEDS

MATTHEW  6:25-34

For this reason I tell you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body as to what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, or reap, or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his life’s span? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin, yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

*          *          *

A CENTURION’S SERVANT HEALED

MATTHEW  8:5-13

Now when Y’shua had entered Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to Him, and pleaded with Him. “Master,” he said, “my servant is lying at home, paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”

Y’shua said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Master, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go! and he goes, and to another, Come! and he comes, and to my slave, Do this! and he does it.”

When Y’shua heard this, He marvelled and said to those following Him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. And I tell you that many will come from east and west, and will take their places with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the subjects of the kingdom will be cast outside, into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and grinding of teeth.”

Then Y’shua said to the centurion. “Go! It will be done just as you have believed.”

And the servant was healed that very hour.

A WIDOW’S SON RAISED FROM THE DEAD

LUKE  7:11-17

Now the next day Y’shua went into a town called Nain; and many of His disciples and a large crowd went along with Him. And as He came near the gate of the town, they saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

When the Master saw her, He felt compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came near and touched the funeral bier, and those carrying it stood still.  And He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up.”  And the dead man sat up and began to speak.  And Y’shua gave him back to his mother.

Then they were all filled with awe, and they were praising God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding country.

Y’SHUA CALMS THE STORM

MATTHEW 8:23-27

Then Y’shua got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Y’shua was sleeping. The disciples came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Master, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm. Then the men were astonished, and asked, “What kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

MAN DELIVERED FROM A LEGION OF DEMONS

MARK  5:1-20

And they came to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, to the region of the Gadarenes. And when Y’shua had come out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs possessed by an unclean spirit met Him - a man who lived among the tombs, and whom no-one was able to bind any more, not even with chains; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been torn apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces, and no-one was strong enough to subdue him. And constantly, night and day, he was in the mountains and among the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

And seeing Y’shua from a distance, he ran up and fell down before Him, and cried out with a loud voice, “What do I have to do with You, Y’shua, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” For Y’shua had said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” And he begged Him earnestly not to send the demons out of the area.

Now there was a big herd of pigs feeding on the nearby hillside. And all the demons entreated Him, saying, “Send us to the pigs so that we may enter them.” And He gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the pigs which were about two thousand, and the herd rushed down the steep place into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea.

And those who fed the pigs ran off and reported this in the city and the countryside. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. So they came to Y’shua and saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting down, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who had seen it related to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the pigs. And they began to plead with Him to leave their region.

And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged Y’shua that he might go with Him. However, Y’shua did not allow him, but He said to him, “Go home to your family and tell them what great things the Master has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Y’shua had done for him; and everyone marvelled.                                                

JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER NEAR TO DEATH

 MARK  5: 21-24

When Y’shua had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about Him while He was near the sea.

Then one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, came there, and upon seeing Y’shua, fell at His feet, and pleaded earnestly with Him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and put Your hands on her, that she may be healed and live.” So Y’shua went with him. And a great crowd followed Him and pressed in on Him.

A WOMAN’S HEMORRHAGE HEALED

MARK  5: 25-37

Now a certain woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and who had suffered much at the hands of many physicians and spent all that she had, and was not helped at all, but rather had gown worse, after hearing about Y’shua, came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will be healed.” And instantly the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Then immediately Y’shua, knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My

garments?” And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me’?” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.

But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

While He was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue.  “Your daughter has died,” they said. “Why trouble the Teacher any more?” But Y’shua, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid - only believe.” And He did not allow anyone to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER RAISED TO LIFE

MARK  5: 38-43

Then Y’shua came to the house of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a commotion, and much weeping and wailing. And entering in, He said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child has not died, but is sleeping.” But they laughed at Him. Then after putting them all out, He took the father and mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and went in where the child was lying. And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talita kumi!” which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

And immediately the girl got up and began to walk; for she was twelve years old. And they were astonished and completely overwhelmed. And Y’shua gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about this. And He told them to give her something to eat.       

TWO BLIND MEN HEALED

MATTHEW  9:27-31, 35-38

As Y’shua went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And after He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. Y’shua asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Master.”

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Y’shua strongly commanded them, “See that no one knows  about this!” But when they went out, they spread the news about Him in all that region ... And Y’shua was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. And seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So beseech the Master of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.”