At that time some people were there with Jesus. These people told Jesus about what happened to some people from Galilee. Pilate F232 killed those people while they were worshiping. Pilate mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing F233 {to God}.
What about those 18 people that died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think those people were more sinful than all the people that live in Jerusalem?
The man had a servant that took care of his garden. So the man said to his servant, 'I have been looking for fruit on this tree for three years, but I never find any. Cut it down! Why should it waste the ground?'
In that synagogue there was a woman that had a spirit {from the devil} inside her. This spirit had made the woman crippled for 18 years. Her back was always bent; she could not stand up straight.
The synagogue F236 leader was angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. F237 The leader said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come to be healed on one of those days. Don't come for healing on the Sabbath day."
The Lord (Jesus) answered, "You people are hypocrites F238 ! All of you untie your work animals and lead them to drink water every day--even on the Sabbath day F239 !
This woman that I healed is our Jewish sister. F240 But Satan (the devil) has held her for 18 years. Surely it is not wrong for her to be made free from her sickness on a Sabbath day!"
When Jesus said this, all the men that were criticizing him felt ashamed of themselves. And all the people were happy for the wonderful things Jesus was doing.
God's kingdom is like the seed of the mustard plant. F241 A person plants this seed in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree. The birds build nests on its branches."
If a man locks the door of his house, then you can stand outside and knock on the door, but he won't open it. You can say, 'Sir, open the door for us!' But the man will answer, 'I don't know you! Where did you come from?'
You will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, F243 and all the prophets F244 in God's kingdom. But you will be left outside. Then you will cry with fear and anger.
People that have the lowest place in life now will have the highest place in God's kingdom. And people that have the highest place now will have the lowest place in God's kingdom."
Jesus said to them, "Go tell that fox F247 (Herod), 'Today and tomorrow I am forcing demons F248 out of people and finishing my work of healing. Then, the next day, the work will be finished.'
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. F250 You kill with rocks those men that God has sent you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather your people together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.
Now your home will be left completely empty. I tell you, you will not see me again until that time when you will say, 'Welcome! God bless the One that comes in the name of the Lord (God).' F251 "
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