1. The Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

2. begins with the words of the early preachers: "Listen! I will send My helper to carry the news ahead of you. He will make the way ready.

3. His voice calls out in the desert, 'Make the way ready for the Lord. Make the road straight for Him!' " (Isaiah 40:3)

4. John the Baptist preached in the desert. He preached that people should be baptized because they were sorry for their sins and turned from them. And they would be forgiven.

5. People from over all the country of Judea and from Jerusalem came to him. They told of their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River.

6. John wore clothes made of hair from camels. He had a leather belt around him. His food was locusts and wild honey.

7. He preached, saying, "One is coming after me Who is greater than I. I am not good enough to get down and help Him take off His shoes.

8. I have baptized you with water. But He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9. Jesus came to the Jordan River from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee. He was baptized by John.

10. As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw heaven open up. The Holy Spirit came down on Him like a dove.

11. A voice came from heaven and said, "You are My muchloved Son. I am very happy with You."

12. At once the Holy Spirit sent Jesus to a desert.

13. He was tempted by Satan for forty days there. He was with wild animals but angels took care of Him.

14. After John the Baptist was put in prison, Jesus came to the country of Galilee. He preached the Good News of God.

15. He said, "The time has come. The holy nation of God is near. Be sorry for your sins, turn from them, and believe the Good News."

16. Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw Simon and his brother Andrew putting a net into the sea. They were fishermen.

17. Jesus said to them, "Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!"

18. At once they left their nets and followed Him.

19. Jesus went on a little farther. He saw James and his brother John who were sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat mending their nets.

20. Jesus called them and they left their father Zebedee. He was in the boat with men who were working for him.

21. Jesus and His followers went to the city of Capernaum on the Day of Rest. They went to the Jewish place of worship where Jesus taught the people.

22. The people were surprised and wondered about His teaching. He taught them as One Who had the right and the power to teach and not as the teachers of the Law.

23. There was a man in the Jewish place of worship who had a demon. The demon cried out,

24. "What do You want of us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know Who You are. You are the Holy One of God."

25. Jesus spoke sharp words to the demon and said, "Do not talk! Come out of the man!"

26. The demon threw the man down and gave a loud cry. Then he came out of him.

27. The people were all surprised and wondered. They asked each other, "What is this? Is this a new teaching? He speaks with power even to the demons and they obey Him!"

28. At once the news about Jesus went through all the country around Galilee.

29. Jesus and His followers came out of the Jewish place of worship. Then they went to the house of Simon and Andrew. James and John went with them.

30. They told Jesus about Simon's mother-in-law who was in bed, very sick.

31. He went and took her by the hand and raised her up. At once her sickness was gone. She got up and cared for them.

32. In the evening as the sun went down, the people took all who were sick to Jesus. They took those who had demons to Him.

33. All the town gathered at the door.

34. Jesus healed those who were sick of many kinds of diseases. He put out many demons. Jesus would not allow the demons to speak because they knew Who He was.

35. In the morning before the sun was up, Jesus went to a place where He could be alone. He prayed there.

36. Simon and the others looked for Jesus.

37. They found Him and said, "All the people are looking for You."

38. Jesus said to the followers, "Let us go to the towns near here so I can preach there also. That is why I came."

39. He went through Galilee. He preached in their places of worship and put out demons.

40. A man came to Jesus with a bad skin disease. This man got down on his knees and begged Jesus, saying, "If You want to, You can heal me."

41. Jesus put His hand on him with loving-pity. He said, "I want to. Be healed."

42. At once the disease was gone and the man was healed.

43. Jesus spoke strong words to the man before He sent him away.

44. He said to him, "Tell no one about this. Go and let the religious leader of the Jews see you. Give the gifts Moses has told you to give when a man is healed of a disease. Let the leaders know you have been healed."

45. But the man went out and talked about it everywhere. After this Jesus could not go to any town if people knew He was there. He had to stay in the desert. People came to Him from everywhere.