thank you. Sure, that sounds good. Funny, earlier this evening I skimmed those very chapters & I think that's fine. If anyone else has thoughts, please chime in. I don't know what I'm doing...just going w/ the flow. If no objections 8-11 it is . Thank you all truly for your input.

Hi! Ok. That sounds good. Hope all is well... Life can get so busy & full. Looking forward to hearing from you when the time suits

Good morning! I wanted to let you all know that I will post my discussion this evening. Been under the weather and just got off work this morning.

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Hi! Aww sorry you haven't been feeling good. Hope you've been able to get your rest. That'll help your body recover.

Chapters 8-11 were again loaded. We see Jesus in full ministry. He's growing in both popularity & hatred. Pharisees are saying their smart comments insinuating Jesus is possessed or the devil. Their talking about Him & asking His own camp how can He eat w/ sinners & tax collectors. They tried to undermine Jesus from the beginning. What's also a shame, you have ppl who were right there as 1st eye witnesses & still didnt believe. We see Jesus talking about unrepentant cities and how it's better for even Sodom than them. We know Sodom & Gommarah were destroyed by God with fire. Wow, how much more for those who saw, seen, & still didn't believe or repent? How much more for us?

We know ourselves & we have the benefit of the biblical stories. Jesus wasn't popular. His teachings for that time were radical, yet He proved constantly He's the real deal. Have you ever or can you imagine living in those times? Would you, for your own sake, go w/ the crowd, or have believed & followed Him? Mind you, what He said was completely unheard of for then; crazy even. We often ask that clichéd question - what would Jesus do, but what would you have done?

A perfect ending to the week & for this season w/ so much unrest, American Thanksgiving holiday (don't want to assume ppl's location), & just life is this: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). How timely; a rhema word for a right now situation. Be blessed by the reading of the word!

Okay so I finished the reading and I am enjoying this thread so much. In Ch. 8-11 Jesus is preaching and healing the sick. I think it's amazing. While reading I just imagined myself during those times watching Jesus at work. I think it's sad that the ones who were there and seen with there own eyes still didn't believe. The Pharisees annoy me with their snide comments and questioning the Son of God. Something confused me though, when Jesus heals the blind men, why did he tell them not to say anything? In the end they didn't listen they went and told everyone, but I guess really they didn't have to because anyone who knew them knew they were blind and now they could see.

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I would have surely followed him. I was thinking that all His disciples have up there lives and everything to follow him and how there was no hesitation.

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That's funny. I do the same - visualize that time in seeing Jesus do all that's said. I'm glad you're enjoying the readings... I don't know how to make this interesting or what we should be doing or if we share in general is cool... But thanks to whoever started this & thank you for helping it continue. His disciples did leave their lives without hesitation. Some wondered how they could do anything, but I love how Jesus told them He'd teach them. Amazing, because He knew in the end they'd scatter.

You're right, townspeople did know who had what issue but ppl didn't know it was Jesus. That's how news & word of Him grew and spread... People either came to spectate, follow/believe, or well, do as the pharisees did. Jesus was/is both fully God & fully man. He knew they were going to tell. Also there were many times that the crowds were so large that He had to sneak out of the towns. It could also have been because them going back would cause a larger crowd to come... Wanting to see some biblical scholars thoughts (which I'm not) & commentary, they say it did have to do with the draw of the crowds. More than that, Jesus was a prophet & teacher. People wanting to come see signs treated it like it were a circus attraction which distracted from the word. The people who were healed & delivered were excited, but that just intrigued people more.

When Jesus would heal people he would tell them to not tell anybody about wAt happen. But guess wAt if u was born blind, deaf, or lame and just a mere touch of this guys garment heals you my god says heal and ur healed. Yea you going home telling erbody n then sum. So people wanted to see wats up and get them n there people healed too

How does Matthew chapters 12 - 16 sound? We dont have to post again until the following week if you all choose. This is a busy week (not like others aren't, right?) for a bunch of us from traveling to cooking & all things in between and beyond. Have a happy & blessed thanksgiving!!!