49-01
the Holy Spirit came to her and made her become pregnant
Scholars cannot explain how the Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant. However, the Holy Spirit does not have a physical body, so we know that the Holy Spirit did not have sexual relations with Mary (See: 22:05).
49-02
He walked on water
See 31:03.
drove demons out
See 26:09.
He raised dead people to life
See 37:10.
to feed over 5,000 people
See 30:08.
49-03
a great teacher
This could mean a very important teacher or an excellent teacher.
the same way
This could mean as much as or the same amount that or to the same degree that.
49-04
love God more than you love anything else
See 28:04.
49-05
better to be in God’s kingdom
See 34:04.
49-06
good soil
See 33:09.
hard soil on a path
See 33:06.
49-08
Adam and Eve sinned
See 02:05.
49-09
gave his only Son
That is, he offered his only Son to the world as a sacrifice for sins.
49-10
Jesus took the punishment for sin in our place
Jesus willingly took the place of sinners and received the punishment that they deserved.
killing him on a cross
See 42:02.
49-11
take away
The sacrifice of Jesus causes God to look at our sin as if it never existed.
49-14
to believe in him
That means to believe that he is God and to trust in him to save you.
to be baptized
Jesus wants people to be baptized in order to show others that they have believed in him.
49-15
kingdom of darkness
Darkness is used here to refer to sin and everything that is evil.
kingdom of light
Light here refers to God’s holiness and goodness. The Bible often compares evil to darkness, and goodness to light.
God has enabled you to no longer sin as you used to do.
Followers of Jesus still sin sometimes. But because the Holy Spirit lives in them, they can now resist sinning. Therefore, they do not sin easily or often, like they did before God saved them.
49-17
confess your sins
This could mean admit to God what you have done wrong.
He will give you strength to fight against sin
God will give you spiritual strength to refuse to sin.