The Preaching of John the Baptist

(Mark 1.1-8; Luke 3.1-18; John 1.19-28)

Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea.

John was the one the prophet Isaiah was talking about, when he said, “In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ”

Jesus and the Devil

(Mark 1.12,13; Luke 4.1-13)

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him.

Treasures in Heaven

(Luke 12.33,34)

Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them.

Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them.

The Narrow Gate

(Luke 13.24)

Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate.

And don't carry a traveling bag or an extra shirt or sandals or a walking stick. Workers deserve their food.

If the home is deserving, let your blessing remain with them. But if the home doesn't accept you, take back your blessing of peace.

Don't be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell.

As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind?

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them: Any kingdom where people fight each other will end up ruined. And a town or family that fights will soon destroy itself.

Return of an Evil Spirit

(Luke 11.24-26)

When an evil spirit leaves a person, it travels through the desert, looking for a place to rest. But when the demon doesn't find a place,

The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life and are fooled by the desire to get rich. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything.

That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it's already late. Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food.”

His disciples said, “This place is like a desert. Where can we find enough food to feed such a crowd?”

If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul?

Then he said to the servants, “It is time for the wedding banquet, and the invited guests don't deserve to come.

And now your temple will be deserted.

The Temple Will Be Destroyed

(Mark 13.1,2; Luke 21.5,6)

After Jesus left the temple, his disciples came over and said, “Look at all these buildings!”

If you are told the Messiah is out in the desert, don't go there! And if you are told he is in some secret place, don't believe it!

What do you think?” They answered, “He is guilty and deserves to die!”

Then about that time Jesus shouted, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?”

In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ”

So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”