Teachings
His own words, slowly
A small library of the things Jesus said, arranged by what they do in a life. Each one has a commentary you can read in two minutes and a practice you can do today.
The Kingdom Within
Where it is, and how small it begins.
Within you
God's Kingdom doesn't come with observation; neither will they say, "Look, here!" or, "Look, there!" — for behold, God's Kingdom is within you.
Matthew 13:31–32The smallest seed
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.
Matthew 6:33Seek first
But seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Love & Mercy
The one commandment that is two.
As yourself
Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is like this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Matthew 25:40You did it to me
Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
Matthew 5:44–45Sun on the just and the unjust
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you; that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Forgiveness
Stop counting. Set the stone down.
They don't know
Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.
John 8:7The first stone
He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.
Matthew 18:21–22Seventy times seven
Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but until seventy times seven."
Prayer & Solitude
A shut door, a dark morning, few words.
Before you ask
In praying, don't use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:6Shut the door
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Mark 1:35While it was still dark
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.
Fasting & Simplicity
Making room, and what comes to fill it.
Not by bread alone
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
Luke 12:15Not in abundance
Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.
Matthew 6:16–18Anoint your head
Moreover, when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces so that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Fear & Trust
The lilies, the little flock, the peace underneath.
Consider the lilies
Therefore I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
Luke 12:32Little flock
Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
John 14:27Not as the world gives
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Dying to Self
What must fall into the ground.
Lose it to find it
If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
John 12:24The grain of wheat
Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Luke 22:42Not my will
Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.
Light & Awakening
The single eye, the vine, the indwelling.
The lamp of the body
The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.
John 14:20I in you
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
Matthew 5:14–16You are the light
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
John 15:4–5The vine
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.