This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the  seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

 

“Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

 

“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

 

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.

 

This I command you: love one another.”

 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

 

 

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.