The Light of the World
As they went on down the road to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking at the head of a great crowd, and he passed through the town of Jericho.just on the outskirts of the town, as they were leaving, they came upon a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who was sitting beside the road.
When the beggar heard the voice of the crowd coming by, he inquired and learned that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by. Immediately he began to shout, "Jesus, King!Please have pity on me!"
But the people around him scolded him, "Shut up!" they said, Be quiet!"
Bartimaeus only shouted louder, again and a gain, Jesus , King! Have pity on me!"
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said to his friends, "Bring him over here to me."
So they called the blind man. "Quick! He's calling for you. Come on!" Flinging away his coat, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"Oh Lord, " the blind man said, " Please heal my eyes, I want to see!"
And Jesus said to him, " All right its done. You are healed because you believed to me!" And instantly Bartimaeus could see. And he joined the crowd and followed Jesus down the road.
Jesus said to those around him, "I am the light of the world . Those who follow me do not live n darkness, but enjoy the light of life. I tell you truly, I have come to open the eyes of those who have not seen the light, and also to make blind those who think they can see."
The Religious Leaders Hate Jesus
For about three years, Jesus, together with his friends and disciples visited the towns and villages of Israel, preaching and teaching about God's coming Kingdom, and telling the crowds the wonderful message of God's forgiveness of mankind's sins and his promise of eternal life. Jesus healed the sick and even raised the dead, and taught everywhere, prophesying about th end of this world and the coming of God's new world. Great numbers of people began to believe, that truly was the coming King, the Saviour, the Son of God, promised long ago by the prophets.
But the religious leaders and teachers and scholars feared and hated Jesus. They Knew that he really was the Son of God, but they had no desire atall to repent of their sins against God and accept him. They were envious of Jesus because large crowds followed him and listened to him with delight.
As he taught, Jesus said to the crowds, "Watch out for the religious teachers. They often say good things, so you should do what they say. But don't do what they do! Because they themselves don't do what they tell you to do. Everything they do is for show. They try to appear very holy, and they love to walk around in flowing robes and to be greeted in the marketplaces and be called 'teacher' and 'reverend'. They love the most important seats at meetings and the places of honor at banquets.
"But these men gobble up the property of widows and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished more severely than drunkards an prostitutes.
"But when you pray, do not likes these hypocrites. They love to pray standing in their temples and on the street corners so that men can see them. When yo pray, go into your room and close the door. Then your father in heaven will reward you.
"Be careful not to do your righteous acts so that you men can see you and praise you. Rather, do your good deeds secretly. Then God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
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