What do you find more relaxing? (Being outdoors/sitting on the couch; A week in New York/a week in Colorado; Time with friends/taking a nap)

Jesus made it clear upon His arrival that He was unlike anyone else who had come before Him and He regularly shocked the religious people with His claims.
Matthew 9:2-8
What does Jesus do that causes the religious leaders to accuse Him of blasphemy?

Why does Jesus heal this man of His disability after forgiving His sins?

While many of Jesus’ actions were unexpected, the message He brought with Him was also something the people were not expecting.
Matthew 9:9-13
Why was Jesus criticized for who He chose to sit with?

Jesus told those who criticized His actions to “Go and learn what this means…” What did Jesus want them to understand?

The religious leaders understanding of faith was works-based. They thought that you had to perform works and gain lots of knowledge in order to receive favor with God, but the message
Jesus brought was different.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Why can no one boast in their own salvation?

How does grace turn have to into get to?

Those who find forgiveness in Jesus do so because of what Jesus has done, and not because of anything we have done. Sometimes that can be difficult to comprehend or seems too good to be true, but Jesus’ interaction with one of the criminals who was crucified beside Him serves as a powerful reminder of this truth.

Luke 23:39-43
What did the thief do that allowed Him to enter into heaven?

Do you ever find yourself feeling like you need to do more good than bad in order for God to be pleased with you?

Even if we know what is true, we can find ourselves sometimes feeling like our mistakes affect our standing with God. If you are a follower of Jesus, there is rest for our souls in the truth that even when we make mistakes, our standing with God is not changed.