31And so I tell you, every ki...

31And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

- P63

Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who could neither see nor speak. The crowd begins to question whether Jesus could be the Messiah while the Pharisees accuse Jesus of driving out demons by the power of the devil. Jesus refutes their accusation and proclaims that the kingdom of God has now come. - P64

Jesus’ act of healing the blind and mute man showed not only compassion but a confrontation: Jesus came to restore what sin had corrupted since humanity’s fall and evil had to flee before His kingdom; the Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus could not stop the advance of His reign. And today, the kingdom of God continues to advance as Jesus gives freedom from sin’s reign to all who trust Him. - P64

In response to the Pharisees‘ words, Jesus teaches that just as the quality ofa tree is known by its fruit, the contents of a person‘s heart are known bywhat their mouth speaks. A good person speaks good things out of the goodstored in them and an evil person speaks evil things out of the evil stored inthem.  - P64

Jesus warns that everyone will have to give account before God forthe words they have spoken. Our speech exposes what our hearts are fullof Careless words reflect sin while gracious words reflect a heart shaped byGod‘s Spirit. When Christ is on the throne of our hearts, our speech reflectsHis life-giving, truthful, and full of grace. - P64

Father, may my speech bear witness before others that my heart and life have been changed. Help me to show the difference that being indwelt by Your Holy Spirit has in my life. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins that only You can give. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P65

6I tell you that something gr...

6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

7If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,

10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

11He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?

- P57

12How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

- P58

As Jesus walks through grainfields one Sabbath day, His hungry disciples pick some grains and eat them. The Pharisees condemn the disciples because according to them, picking grains on the Sabbath is work, and working on the Sabbath is unlawful. Using examples from Scripture, Jesus shows the Pharisees that their rules for what can or cannot be done on the Sabbath are missing the point; He reveals that showing mercy is more valuable to God than rituals. - P60

However, this does not mean we should stop "rituals" like our Sunday gatherings. But as we do them, let us remember that God expects more from us than a worship service: He wants us to show His mercy by loving others and attending to their needs. - P60

In 1 Samuel 15, God ordered King Saul to destroy the Amalekites com-pletely. But Saul disobeyed God and spared the Amalekite king and the bestof their animals. Saul tried to excuse his behavior by saying he just wantedto offer the animals to God as a sacrifice, but eventually confessed it wasbecause he was afraid of dipleasing his men. The prophet Samuel informedSaul that God does not need anything and that He desires obedience aboveeverything else. - P61

Dear God, Your Word and Your works reflect Your merciful character. Help me to honor Your desire for me to reflect such character. Forgive me for the times I neglect to understand and do what is important to You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P61

20Then Jesus began to denounc...

20Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

- P52

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

- P54

When Jesus addresses the ongoing sin in the towns He visits, He boldly proclaims God‘s inevitable judgment upon unrepentant sinners. His messageis apocalyptic and terrifying. Jesus also praises the Father and affirms Hisrelationship to God as His Son.  - P54

God‘s people have the opportunity to knowthe Father and the Son, Jesus beckons all who are weary and burdened tocome to Him and learn from Him, knowing that He is gentle and humblein heart. All of us can be weary and burdened at times, but when we goto Jesus, we are assured that we will find rest for our souls.  - P54

The question isnot whether Jesus will invite us into His peace but whether we will acceptHis loving offer. - P54

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving rest to our souls. Help us to serve You withjoyful and humble hearts. Teach us to follow Your example of gentlenessand humility each day. In Your name, amen. - P55

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2026.2 (영문판)

2When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples

3to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"

4Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

- P46

Jesus sends off His disciples and goes to preach in the towns of Galilee. Johnthe Baptist, who is in prison, sends his disciples to Jesus to ask if He is the Oneto come. Jesus points to His works of healing and preaching as an answer.
He then praises John as being the messenger sent before the Messiah andrebukes those who reject both John and Himself. - P47

While John the Baptist is in prison, he sends his disciples to confirm whether Jesus is the true Messiah. Rather than directly affirming His messiahship, Jesus offers proof through His ministry: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the Good News is being proclaimed to the poor. - P48

John may feel discouraged in prison, but he can be strengthened by the testimonies of what his disciples have seen and heard Jesus do. This is encouraging for believers who are struggling today: Our faith can be strengthened as we seek Jesus and see what He has done both in Scripture and from the testimonies of fellow believers who have been blessed through encounters with Him. - P48

Many have failed to recognize the true identity of John the Baptist andJesus. They judge both harshly, saying that John has a demon and Jesus isa glutton and drunkard who is friends with sinners. However, Jesus shareswith the crowd who John the Baptist really is.  - P48

Those who are willing tolisten will recognize that John is the prophesied Elijah who has come toprepare the way for the Messiah. Yet Jesus also says that the person who isleast in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. We are blessed to bemembers of the new covenant by grace through faith.  - P-1

We, too, have theprivilege of proclaiming Jesus, testifying about Him more clearly than Johnever could. - P48

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can always turn to You when I face discouragement and doubt. Help me overcome my unbelief and remind me of the Good News of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, amen. - P48

39Whoever finds their life wi...

39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

40"Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. - P43

At first glance, Jesus’ words sound as though He wants to bring division. However, He is addressing the issue of lordship. Loving our family members is, of course, a good thing, but if we love them more than Jesus, then we have made them lord over our lives. Whomever or whatever we have acknowledged as lord also dominates our thoughts and actions. This is why Jesus says that whoever does not take up their cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him. - P44

The person who refrains from doing so shows that they are not fully devoted to Christ. Taking up the cross is difficult and requires self-sacrifice, but those who do so know that it is worth it because they are walking the path of their Savior.
- P44

The gospel can sometimes offend the mind, but the work of the Holy Spiritcan turn hardened hearts into ones that are ready to receive His Word.
- P45

Ultimately, we can take our cues on how to be a Christian from ChristHimself. When faced with opposition, He spoke razor sharp truths whilemaintaining deep compassion for the lost. Though this can be challenging,
with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can boldly model Christ and openlyshare the Good News. - P45

Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord over my life. I remember Your sacrifice and renew my commitment to take up my cross and follow You. I desire to work faithfully for Your kingdom and honor others who do the same. In Your name I pray, amen. - P45