The One Year Bible New Testament for New Beginnings by DaySpring NLT, Filament Enabled - Book - Page 46
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day 2 1 | MATTHEW 13:47–14:12
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“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of
every kind. 48When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good
fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50throwing the wicked into the fiery
furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51Do you understand all these things?”
“Yes,” they said, “we do.”
52
Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven
is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
53
When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country.
54
He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was
amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55Then they scoffed,
“He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57And
they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among
his own family.” 58And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2he said to his advisers, “This must be
John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”
3
For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5Herod
wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
6
But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased
him, 7so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8At her mother’s urging, the girl
said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9Then the king regretted what he had said; but
because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10So John was
beheaded in the prison, 11and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her
mother. 12Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what
had happened.
14:1
E NCOU R AG E M E N T
Good news! You are carrying everything you have already learned into this new beginning. God will not waste one little bit. Now you’re acquiring new skills and talents,
receiving new wisdom and insight. God will use all of it for his glory and your good—
and the good of those around you.
Of course, some people may not know what to do with the new you. They may
not be ready for the changes you’re making. They may feel uncomfortable—or even
angry—at the idea that they, too, may have room to grow and change. They may not
yet be ready or willing to respond to God’s invitation. Pray for them and bless them
when you can, but keep moving forward. Keep embracing the adventure of following
Jesus, and see where he leads!
