Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

As Jesus traveled from town to town, preaching the good news of God's kingdom, a group of women who had been healed by him joined his entourage. There was Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been cast out, as well as Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, along with many others. These women provided for Jesus' needs from their own resources.

One day, a large crowd gathered to hear him speak, and he began by using a parable to explain God's kingdom. "A farmer went out to plant his seeds," he said. "Some fell on the path where they were trampled underfoot or eaten by birds. Some landed on rocky ground where they withered because they had no water. Others were choked out by thorns, and only those that fell on fertile soil produced a hundredfold harvest."

Jesus' disciples asked him to explain what he meant, but he replied that the mystery of God's kingdom was given to them alone. To others, it would be explained in parables. He went on to say that the seed was like the word of God, which is sown in people's hearts.

Those who hear the word but have no root will believe for a time, but when faced with challenges, they'll fall away. Others, consumed by worries and wealth, will be choked out by life's distractions. But those with fertile soil in their hearts will receive the word and keep it with patience, producing fruit that lasts.

As Jesus continued his journey, he boarded a ship with his disciples, heading across the lake. As they sailed, he fell asleep, but a fierce storm suddenly swept in, flooding the boat and putting them in grave danger. His disciples cried out for help, but Jesus calmly rebuked the wind and the waves, and everything returned to calm.

The disciples were amazed, asking each other, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and water obey him?" They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, where a man possessed by demons had been living among the tombs. The demon-possessed man saw Jesus from a distance and cried out, begging not to be tormented.

Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to leave the man, who was then seized with convulsions, but the spirits begged Jesus not to send them into the abyss. Instead, they asked to enter the nearby herd of pigs, which swam down a steep hillside into the lake and drowned. When the townspeople saw what had happened, they fled in terror.

However, when they returned, they found the man who had been possessed by demons sitting at Jesus' feet, calm and composed. They were afraid but told others about the miracle. The people begged Jesus to leave their area, and he obliged.

As Jesus continued on his journey, a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, approached him, begging for help because his twelve-year-old daughter was dying. But as they made their way through the crowds, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years touched Jesus' cloak, and her flow of blood stopped instantly.

Jesus asked who had touched him, but everyone denied it, until the woman came forward, trembling with fear. He reassured her, saying, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace." Meanwhile, Jairus' messengers arrived, telling Jesus that his daughter had died, but he calmly replied, "Don't worry, just believe."

Jesus entered Jairus' house and found the girl lying on a bed. He took her hand and said, "Get up," and she immediately stood up. The people were amazed, and Jesus ordered them to bring food for the girl.

When Jesus left Jairus' house, he was met by the man who had been possessed by demons, begging him to come home with him. But Jesus told him, "Go back to your family and tell them what God has done for you." The man spread the word about Jesus' miracle in every corner of the town.

As Jesus returned to the crowds, they welcomed him enthusiastically because they were all waiting for him.