LITN VII, Verses 36 - 50

36. One day something totally unprecedented happened...one of the Pharisees actually invited Jesus to his home to dine with him. And Jesus, in spite of His strained and often volatile relationship with the religious leaders, graciously accepted the man's invitation and went to his house for dinner. The meal went smoothly...nothing controversial was brought up at the table...the atmosphere during the entire dinner party was harmonious and conciliatory...and afterward Jesus reclined at the table with his host and the others who were there, simply enjoying the evening, and relishing its promise of the possibility of a new relationship between them all.

37. But then something happened that interrupted the flow of the night's events, and completely changed the dynamics of everything that was happening in the Pharisee's house. Somehow, a woman, who was generally known as the town's leading and most infamous prostitute, had heard that Jesus was in the house, and had found her way into the dining area where He was. Suddenly she was standing right in front of Him, holding an alabaster flask of perfumed ointment.

38. None of the surprised people at the table said anything as she moved around behind Him, and suddenly burst into a flood of tears. Then, moving back to where she was, she collapsed on the floor in front of Him, took His bare feet into her hands, and pressed her face onto them so that the flow of her tears could physically wet them. Then she began to wipe them with her own long hair, while she affectionately kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

39. Now the Pharisee who had invited Him saw what was happening, but because he didn't want to embarrass his dinner guest (mainly because he knew who she was), he just let it happen. Initially, he didn't say anything, assuming that she would finish up this unusual and provocative demonstration quickly, and then just leave his house. But after a few awkward moments of watching this display (which Jesus seemed perfectly fine with), he began to feel uncomfortable, and then offended. He said to himself, "If this man were really a prophet, He would surely know who and what sort of woman this seductress is who is touching Him in this way. If He had any sense of propriety or discernment at all, He would put a stop to it...not only is she doing this in my home without my consent...she is a woman who pleasures men for money...she shouldn't even be here, and she certainly shouldn't be touching a holy man!"

40. And Jesus, knowing what the man was thinking, said to him, "Simon, I want to say something to you." And he answered, "All right, Teacher...say it."

41. "A certain man who lent money at interest had two debtors...one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42. When it became clear that neither of them had any means of paying him back, he freely forgave them both. Now which of them do you think will love him more?

43. Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he forgave and cancelled more. And Jesus said to him, "You're exactly right."

44. Then, turning back toward the woman who was still caressing His feet in her hands, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house this evening, you didn't even offer Me any water for My feet...but she has wet My feet with her own tears, and has wiped them with her own hair.

45. You didn't greet me with a kiss, but she, from the moment she came in, has not ceased to tenderly kiss My feet.

46. You didn't anoint My head with oil...not even with cheap, ordinary oil...but she has anointed My feet with costly and rare perfume.

47. So this is my conclusion...I know who she is, and I know what she does for a living...but her sins, many as they obviously are, are forgiven her, simply because she loves so much, and has proved it here. But he who is forgiven little loves little.

48. Then He said to her, "Sweetheart, your sins are all forgiven!"

49. And this statement undid any and all relationship building that may have occurred that night between Him and the Pharisees. Those who were at the table were scandalized by the whole scenario...for them, it was wrong on so many levels...and they began to say among themselves, "Who does this man think that He is that He can even forgive sins?"

50. But Jesus, undeterred as usual by the religious leaders and their lack of understanding, ignored them and said to the woman, "You washed my feet with your own tears and dried them with your own hair, so I say to you that your own faith has saved you! Go from here and enter into peace in your life!"

LITN VII, Verses 18 - 35

18. Being aware of all that was happening with Jesus, John's disciples went to visit him in prison to tell him everything that they had heard about it. After listening to their reports, he called aside two of them,

19. and sent them to Jesus to ask, "Are you really the One who was to come...the One we've been expecting...or should we face the reality that we need to expect someone else?"

20. When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to You to ask this...are You really the One who was to come…the One the prophets talked about…the One we’ve been expecting…the Christ? Or should we part with our illusions concerning You, and start to look for someone else who fits that description?"

21. Ironically, they were asking this while Jesus was in the middle of conducting a meeting...a meeting in which He was curing many who had diseases, releasing those who were under the control of rebel spirits, and giving sight to many who were blind.

22. So Jesus temporarily stopped ministering to the sick, and replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind are receiving their sight, the lame are walking, those who have leprosy are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, even the dead are being raised, and the good news is being proclaimed to the disenfranchised and the destitute.

23. And blessed is anyone who accepts this as My validation, without offense because of their perception of Me, and does not even think of asking such a question."

24. After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John, before anyone could form a negative opinion because of this exchange of words...before anyone could bring an accusation against John due to his obvious doubt and insolence. He said to them, "Just what did you think you were going to see out there in the wilderness? A little, non-confrontational weakling who doesn’t speak his mind…a reed swayed by the wind?

25. If not, then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in expensive clothes…a sell-out for the religious establishment? No, those who wear fine and expensive clothes...who indulge in luxury...are found in palaces. A shaky reed would never have the nerve to challenge Me in this way.

26. So then, what did you go out to see? A prophet? No doubt…that’s what you wanted to see, and that’s indeed what you did see. But, I tell you…this man, regardless of the mental battle he may be having right now in that lonely prison cell…is still a prophet…more than a prophet, in fact…he is a prophet, and then some!

27. This is the man about whom Malachi wrote: 'I will send my messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.'

28. Here's the truth about John...among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater in history. Yet, in this kingdom, which he, in fact, introduced to you…in this new paradigm where the first shall be last, and the last shall be first…the order of things will be so radically changed, that whoever is perceived to be the least important…the least significant…the least worthy in the Kingdom of God, is actually greater than he!

29. The ordinary people...the disreputable...even the tax collectors...all the people who heard John, by being baptized by him into Kingdom-consciousness, are the clearest evidence that He was the genuine article.

30. But the Pharisees and religious leaders would have nothing to do with such a baptism and paradigm shift...they wouldn't think of giving up their place in line to those whom they considered to be their inferiors."

31. Jesus went on to say, "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? How can I describe and account for them?

32. They are like spoiled children sitting in the marketplace, and calling out to each other, saying, 'We played instruments for you, but you didn't dance; and then we sang a funeral dirge, but you didn't cry.'

33. These people, and people like them, are never satisfied. Think about it...John came into the public eye fasting, and you called him a raving lunatic because of his hermetic lifestyle.

34. The Son of Man, on the other hand, accepted the invitation to every party, and socialized with every segment of society, and you called Him an unrestrained, gluttonous alcoholic...a friend of low-lifes.

35. But wisdom is proved right by all her children...vindicated by the lives of those who follow her."

LITN VII, Verses 1 - 17

1. When Jesus finished this important and revolutionary teaching, He entered Capernaum.

2. There in the city was a Roman Centurion's servant, whom his master valued very highly, and this servant was sick and at the point of death.

3. So when the Centurion heard of Jesus, he sent some elders of the Jews to Him to ask Him to come and heal his servant.

4. So they did as he requested, and when they came to Jesus, they were insistent that He help the man. They said, "Look, this man deserves to have you do this...

5. You must help him because he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue!"

6. So Jesus was persuaded, and went with them. But when He got near the Centurion's house, the man sent friends to Him with this message: "Lord, I didn't mean for You to trouble yourself...it wasn't even necessary for you to come in person...in fact, it's not even appropriate, since I don't worship Your God."

7. That's why I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to You. I am just asking that You say the word, because I know that if You do, my servant will be healed.

8. See, I myself am a man under authority, with a hundred soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes...I don't ever have to worry that one of my men won't carry out my orders...and to another one I say, 'Come,' and he comes...I never have to do any guesswork about it...I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it...no questions asked."

9. When Jesus heard this message, He was amazed at the man's ability to perceive the concept of authority, and the abstract idea of the power and function of words. So He turned to the crowd following Him and said, "I tell you, I have not found faith this great even in Israel." Then He sent the Centurion's friends back to him with the same message.

10. When the men who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant completely well.

11. Right after this, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a big crowd accompanied Him.

12. As He neared the gate of the city, He saw that a dead person was being carried out to be buried. Upon inquiry, He discovered that the body was that of a mother's only son, and that she was a widow. A large group of people from the town made up the funeral entourage.

13. This crowd of mourners was too big to be missed, but when He finally saw the grieving mother, His heart immediately went out to her and made a compassionate connection. Without hesitation He walked right up to her and said, "Dear lady...please don't cry."

14. Then He walked over and touched the bier on which they were carrying her son's lifeless body, and the pallbearers froze in their tracks. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up right now!"

15. And the boy sat up and began to talk, virtually in mid-sentence, as if he had only been gone for a second or two. Then Jesus personally escorted him over to his amazed mother, and presented him to her.

16. Of course, all the people who witnessed this were completely awestruck, and began to praise God, saying, "A great and mighty prophet has appeared among us! God has come to personally help His people!"

17. And this news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country like wildfire.

LITN VI

n a particular day...a day which just happened to be the Sabbath...Jesus and His disciples were walking through some grain fields. As they moved along, casually talking with one another...not really thinking about anything, other than how hungry they all were...His men began to pick some heads of grain, rub them together in their hands, and pop the kernels in their mouths.

2. Some of the ever-present and always vigilant Pharisees somehow saw them doing this and asked, "Why are you rebels doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"

3. Jesus quickly answered them, "Gentlemen, have you never read what David did when he and his men were hungry?

4. If not, let Me remind you...he entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat. And if that wasn't bad enough, according to religious standards, he also served it to his companions!"

5. Then Jesus said to them, "The bottom line is this...the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

6. On yet another Sabbath He went into the synagogue to teach, as He did so often during this period of His ministry. And there was a man there that day whose right hand was shriveled and deformed.

7. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law by this time were constantly looking for a reason to accuse Him of something...anything...so they watched Him closely to see if He would be so bold as to heal on the Sabbath.

8. But, as always, Jesus knew what these predictable men were thinking, so He said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Sir, please get up and stand in front of the people where everyone can see you." So, without asking any questions, the man got up and stood there.

9. Then Jesus looked at the Pharisees and said to them, "All right, let Me ask you all a question...which is lawful on the Sabbath...to do good or to do evil...to save life or to destroy it?"

10. No one said anything, so after He had stared at them blankly for a few moments, He turned to the man and said, "Stretch out your hand." And the man did just that, and as he did, his hand was completely restored and made normal.

11. But instead of being impressed or moved by the miracle, or by Jesus' power and authority, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were infuriated by this. He had embarrassed them one too many times, and had made their cherished rules and regulations seem silly and irrelevant. From this point they began to seriously discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus, and how they could effectively put a stop to Him, completely.

12. On another day Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and ended up spending the entire night in deep prayer.

13. At daybreak, He descended the mountain and called all of His disciples to Himself, and out of the whole number of them He chose twelve, whom He also designated as apostles.

14. The final group consisted of Simon, whom He named Peter, his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,

15. Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon, who was a Zealot,

16. Judas, son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was destined to be used as a traitor.

17. Then He took His newly appointed group of twelve and stood out on a level place, where a large crowd of His other disciples surrounded Him. Soon a great throng began gathering there...people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon.

18. When the news got out that He was appearing like this, people came from everywhere to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases...and they got what they came for. Even those who were harassed by rebel spirits were made well and whole.

19. And the people all tried to get up close enough to Him to touch Him, because power was exuding from Him, and He was healing them all.

20. Then He began to teach. Looking at His disciples, He said: "Blessed are you who have lost everything, for in having to change your perspective on owning things in the material world, you are able to own the realities of the Kingdom of God.

21. Blessed are you who hunger now, for in identifying what it is that you really crave, you will ultimately be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep over what is missing in your life now, for the gift of laughter is coming with the revelation of all that is in the Kingdom.

22. And even consider yourself blessed when it seems that people hate you, and exclude you from their religious systems...when they insult you and reject your name as evil because of your affiliation with the Son of Man.

23. Rejoice in the day that you experience this kind of thing...yes, rejoice to the point that you literally leap for joy! Because when you survive such attacks, and come out on the other side of them even stronger...wiser...free from bitterness...all of heaven applauds! Remember, that is how their ancestors treated the prophets, and that kind of treatment actually shaped those men into greatness.

24. But there's a rude awakening ahead for those of you who have become rich through this present world system...those who have become selfish and smug to the point that you think your money can fix everything for you. What you have now is all you'll ever get.

25. There's also trouble ahead for those of you who are self-absorbed and self-satisfied...in the days to come you'll realize that a selfish life will only leave you empty and hollow in the end. And woe to you who don't take human relationships seriously...who laugh at the idea of making investments into the lives of others. It won't be so funny when you find yourself disconnected and all alone.

26. And watch out if you're only living for the approval of others...if you're so emotionally needy that you refuse to speak your own truth for fear of repercussions. Remember...your ancestors appeased and flattered false prophets, but in the end they turned on them for not being authentic.

27. But this is the main thing I want to say to those of you who are really hearing Me now, because it's the introduction to a whole new way of thinking...the door to a whole new world...and let Me tell you, it's a radical concept: love your enemies...treat well those who detest you, and pursue you with hatred...

28. Invoke a flood of blessings upon those who openly curse you, and sincerely pray for their happiness...ask for God's blessing and favor upon those who abuse and misuse you...

29. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one to him or her, also... from whoever takes away your outer garment, don't withhold your undergarment...

30. If someone begs you for something that you have, give it to them...of him who takes away your goods, do not demand or require them back again...

31. Here is the summation of all of it...as you would like and desire that people would do to you, do exactly that to them!"

32. You must think this way if you want to create a new world, because if you only love those who love you, what's new and world-changing about that? Why should you even be commended for it? Even those who have no Kingdom mentality, whatsoever, love those who love them.

33. And if you're only kind to those who are kind to you, and only do favors for those who do favors for you, what's new and innovative about that? Any average sinner can do that.

34. Furthermore, if you lend money at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, why should anyone even pay attention to that? Every day sinners lend money at interest to other sinners, so as to recover as much again. There's nothing about that that is going to turn things around.

























35. But love your enemies...I don't mean just tolerate and co-exist with them...I mean love them! Be kind and do good so that someone is blessed, whether you think they deserve it or not. And lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return...and don't complain and whine about it, either...consider nothing as lost! If you can do these things, you will tap into a whole new dimension, and it's from that realm that you will be rewarded. And your abundant reward will be rich and intense...and, most importantly, you will be bona fide sons of the Most High, thinking like He thinks...living like He lives...doing what He does...for He is kind and charitable and good, even to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.

36. So be mercifully empathetic and responsive to the needs of people...become energized with the power of compassion...even as your Father exists in this realm.

37. And while I'm on the subject of the operation of this new world order, I will also tell you not to pronounce judgment on anyone, and you will live beyond the authority of any one's judgment on your life...do not condemn or pronounce guilt on anyone, and you will exist beyond the reach of condemnation and personal guilt...acquit, forgive and release others from your agendas and opinions, and you will never be limited by the agendas and opinions of others.

38. And give...give generously and freely...because if you do, gifts will be lavished upon you...and these gifts will be abundant (to demonstrate the infinite possibilities of the Kingdom), packed down (to make room for more), shaken together (to make sure that you never receive filler), and running all over the place (so that you never have a sense of lack)! People will come into your life just to give to you, and this is the way that they will pour into the pouch formed by the bosom of your robe and used as a bag. You define your own terms in this, for with the same measure you deal out...with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others...it will be measured back to you!"

39. He went on to tell them a proverb: "Can a blind person guide and direct another blind person? Won't they both stumble into a ditch or a hole in the ground?

40. You see, a pupil is not superior to his or her teacher, but every individual, when he or she is completely trained and properly readjusted will be like his or her teacher.

41. With that in mind, let Me ask you...why do you so easily notice the tiny speck that is in the eye of your brother or sister, when you are oblivious to the beam of timber that is in your own eye?

42. And how can you have the nerve to say to that brother or sister, 'Hey, allow me to take out the splinter of wood that is in your eye, when you yourself do not even notice the enormous log that is in your own eye? What kind of phony game are you playing? First take the timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to perceive whatever is in your brother's or sister's eye.

43. For there is no healthy tree that bears diseased fruit...on the other hand, a diseased tree can't produce healthy fruit...it's just that simple.

44. Furthermore, each tree is identified by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes ever picked from a bramblebush.

45. The person who is known as honorable and virtuous, out of the good treasure stored in his or her heart, produces what is honorable and virtuous...and the evil person who manifests as evil, out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is unacceptable. For out of the abundant overflow of the inner individual, the mouth speaks.

46. Speaking of being honorable, let Me ask you...why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord', and do not simply practice what I tell you?

47. Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words...I mean really listens and understands my intentions...I will demonstrate to you what he or she is like:

48. That person is like a man who built a house...who dug and went down deep and laid a good foundation upon the rock. And when a flood arose, and all manner of inclement weather beat upon the house, the basic structure could not be shaken or moved at all, because it had been securely built on bedrock.

49. But, by the same token, he or she who merely hears but does not practice doing My words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation...a man who built on sand. When the bad weather came against what he had built, immediately it collapsed and fell...and the fall of that house was dramatic and complete.

Psalm 23 Re-Post

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT...

HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES...

HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS...

HE RESTORES MY SOUL...

HE LEADS ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE...

EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME...YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF COMFORT ME...


YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES...

YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP RUNS OVER...

SURELY, GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE,

AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER!