THE RED LETTERS
The direct words of Jesus, organized for life.
TIER 1
THE HEART OF THE TEACHING
THE BEATITUDES
The foundation of how to live
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
— Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
— Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
— Matthew 5:5
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
— Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
— Matthew 5:7
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
— Matthew 5:8
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
— Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
— Matthew 5:10
— Matthew 5:3-10
THE GREATEST COMMANDS
Love God, love neighbor
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
— Matthew 22:37-40
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
— Matthew 7:12
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
— John 13:34
THE LORD'S PRAYER
How Jesus taught us to pray
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen."
— Matthew 6:9-13
TIER 2
CORE TEACHINGS
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
The full ethical teaching
"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."
— Matthew 5:13-14
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged."
— Matthew 7:1-2
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
— Matthew 7:7
"By their fruit you will recognize them."
— Matthew 7:16
"BUT I TELL YOU"
Expanding the law with compassion
"You have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."
— Matthew 5:38-39
"You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
— Matthew 5:43-44
THE PARABLES
Stories that reveal truth
The Good Samaritan
"Go and do likewise."
— Luke 10:37
The Sheep and Goats
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
— Matthew 25:40
"I AM" STATEMENTS
Who Jesus said he was
"I am the bread of life."
— John 6:35
"I am the light of the world."
— John 8:12
"I am the good shepherd."
— John 10:11
"I am the way and the truth and the life."
— John 14:6
"I am the vine; you are the branches."
— John 15:5
TIER 3
LIVING IT
WORDS OF COMFORT
For the weary and burdened
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
— Matthew 11:28
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
— John 14:27
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
— John 16:33
THE CHALLENGING WORDS
The challenging path
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
— Matthew 16:24
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
— Matthew 19:24
"No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and money."
— Matthew 6:24
JESUS'S MISSION
Good news to the poor, freedom for the captive
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
— Luke 4:18-19
TIER 4
LOVE IN ACTION
THE POWER OF COMPASSION
Miracles as love made visible
To the leper
"I am willing. Be clean!"
— Mark 1:41
To the woman
"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
— Mark 5:34
Before feeding the 5,000
"I have compassion for these people."
— Mark 8:2
At Lazarus's tomb
"Jesus wept."
— John 11:35
THE LAST SUPPER
Love one another as I have loved you
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
— John 13:34-35
"This is my command: Love each other."
— John 15:17
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
— John 15:13