Jesus healed all sorts of different people in all sorts of different ways. Jesus didn’t show partiality and his actions were not carefully concocted magic tricks. He met people where they were and met their needs.

TBQ: Why should our ministry be flexible?

Jesus’s first followers needed to know that the food they ate wouldn’t make them clean and acceptable before God. There needed to be a life-change. Likewise, we need to be reminded that church attendance and family history doesn’t make us acceptable either. There must be a life-change.

TBQ: What makes you clean?

The legalism of the Pharisees caused them to value their own rules and traditions over the law and grace of God. If we are not careful, we can create a Christianity that looks more like our religion than Christ’s. TBQ: Where is your heart?

When people heard that Jesus was on the way, they went everywhere to bring in the sick and the demon possessed. They knew that the savior had arrived, and they didn’t want their loved ones to miss the chance. TBQ: Who are you bringing to Jesus?

By this point, the disciples had spent much time with Jesus and had witnessed many miracles, including the feeding of the 5,000, but they still did not understand. Their hearts were hard. TBQ: How do your preconceptions make you hard-hearted?

Jesus retreats the miraculous feeding of the Israelites in the wilderness. As he calls out his people from their bondage to sin, they are reminded that they are fed by the very word of God.

Herod knew about Jesus, but he didn't accept Jesus. It is not enough to be around spiritual things or to enjoy hearing good teaching. TBQ: Have you made peace with Christ?

We have a responsibility to be faithful and obedient to Christ and his commandments. But, at the end of the day, all you can do is all you can do.

TBQ: Have you been faithful?

The sin of unbelief is rampant in our world today, but was also prevalent in Jesus’ day. Pride is one of the primary sources of unbelief. Our pride can show up in many different ways and cause unbelief to creep in.

TBQ: Where’s your pride?

There is always time when Jesus is around. The people realized that this little girl was dead (or at least believed she was), but when Jesus is around, there is always time for a miracle.

TBQ: Do you believe that Jesus can?