After he had dismissed them, ...

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, - P96

25Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid."

28"Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

- P96

31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.

35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him

36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. - P97

Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat and goes to pray alone. During thenight, He walks on the water toward them. Peter walks toward Him on thewater but begins to sink when he is afraid, and Jesus saves him. They arrive atGennesaret, where people bring their sick to Jesus, and those who just touchHis cloak are healed. - P97

Jesus directs His disciples to sail to the other side of the lake. While He stays behind, the disciples row against the wind and the waves. Jesus later meets them, walking on the water. They mistake Him for a ghost and are terrified, but He tells them not to be afraid. - P98

There are times in all our lives when we sense our Lord calling us to go somewhere or do something that results in a crisis of faith. Fear overtakes us. We feel helpless and alone. But through the howling winds, we hear a voice calling out, "Do not be afraid." These words are Jesus’ invitation to lay aside our fears and come to Him in faith. As we do, He reaches out and saves us. - P98

Jesus and His disciples land at Gennesaret. As soon as the people recog-nize Jesus, the news of His arrival spreads quickly to the entire region andthe sick come to receive healing. At this point, the narrative says nothingabout Jesus‘ teaching in this area. The emphasis is on His presence andcompassionate power.  - P98

When people‘s attention is drawn to Jesus‘ personand character, the word spreads quickly, people come to receive salvation,
and the testimony of Jesus goes forth in power. Teaching is important, butwe must not forget what people really need, which is the loving presenceof Jesus through His Holy Spirit in our lives and churches. For this, thereis no substitute. - P98

Notice that Peter does not try to swim back to the boat. When he begins to sink, hecries out to Jesus for help. Today, as you fast, bring your needs to Him. Before rushingto brainstorm solutions or diving into your work or studies, make time to share yourfears and desires with Jesus-openly, honestly, and with trust.
-Pastor Sam An - P99

Lord Jesus, I know that in my weakness Your great power is displayed. May You be glorified as I courageously step out in faith, seeking to accomplish what so often appears impossible. In Your name I pray, amen. - P99

15As evening approached, the ...

15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."

16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

- P92

17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

18"Bring them here to me," he said.

19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

- P93

When He hears of John’s tragic death, Jesus withdraws with His disciples to a quiet place. But they cannot escape the crowds, who soon hear of their whereabouts. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals the sick among them. His disciples, however, tell Him to send the crowds away to get food. It is easy to react the way the disciples do here: Ministry is tiring and when what seems like an impossible need arises, they are more than ready to give up. But Jesus, though He is undoubtedly just as exhausted, sees an opportunity for God to do something remarkable. - P94

Sometimes we see God’s greatest works when we look beyond the weakness of our flesh and trust in His strength and provision. - P94

When the disciples suggest sending the crowds away, Jesus tells them togive the people something to eat. In response to this seemingly impossiblechallenge, the disciples bring Jesus their meager five loaves and two fish.
The result is that not only is the crowd fed; but twelve baskets of brokenbread and fish remain for the hungry disciples.  - P94

Sometimes, as we followJesus. He sets before us challenges we know we lack the resources to solve.
But everything about this story reminds us that Jesus uses those who arewilling to come to Him just as they are. We can entrust the little we have toHim and use it as He directs us. When we do so, we will see His generositystep in to provide. - P94

"Little is always much in the hands of Christ."-William Barclay - P94

The fear of the Lord refers to awe, reverence, and obedience. Godis not looking for perfection in order to bestow His blessings on us; He islooking for obedience. - P95

There are many examples in the Bible that illustrate this important prin-ciple: God asking Moses to raise his staff before parting the Red Sea, Jesusinstructing Simon Peter to lower his nets again before bringing him morefish than his nets could contain, God telling Noah to build the ark beforeany sign of rain, and Jesus asking His disciples to feed the thousands beforemultiplying the fish and loaves for them. All of these miracles had some-thing in common: Each one required obedience in order to experiencedeliverance. - P95

If we want to see the Lord‘s incredible provision in our lives, we do not haveto strive to earn His favor or love. He already gives these freely to those whotrust Him and promises to provide for them. As we wait for Him to act,
we can show that we trust Him by training our hearts
 towards humility ,gratitude, and obedience. - P94

Lord Jesus, I so often feel inadequate as Your disciple. The tasks to which I feel You have called me seem overwhelming. I bring my insecurities and inadequacies to You, knowing that little is much in Your hands. In Your name I pray, amen - P95

3Now Herod had arrested John ...

3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

4for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."

- P88

Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted

10and had John beheaded in the prison.

11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

12John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

- P89

Herod hears about Jesus and thinks He is John the Baptist risen from the dead.
The passage recounts how Herod had John imprisoned because of Herodias.
At a banquet, Herodias‘s daughter dances, and Herod promises her anythingshe wants. She asks for John‘s head on a platter. Herod orders John to bebeheaded. John‘s disciples bury his body then tell Jesus what happened. - P89

When Herod the tetrarch hears the reports about Jesus, he is convinced it is John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod had arrested John because he told him his marriage to his sister-in-law Herodias was unlawful. By imprisoning his nemesis, Herod sought to silence the truth of the prophet’s words, but God’s words can never be silenced. - P90

God’s words can never be overcome, even by those who wield worldly power and authority. Let us always remember that our allegiance is to God and God alone. - P90

Times change, worldly powers come and go, but the Word of God endures forever. - P90

Despite all of Herod‘s power, prestige, and worldly authority he is a slaveto his passion and pride. Herod‘s foolish oath and a weakness for his stand-ing in the eyes of his dinner guests result in the tragic death of John theBaptist.  - P90

Even the most cursory reading of Scripture confirms that sufferingand death are, more often than not, the worldly "reward" of those faithfulprophets who challenge the rulers of this world. The cross of Jesus is evidence of this truth.  - P90

But a willingness to be faithful to our Lord even untodeath brings eternal rewards that far outshine the pain and suffering we mayexperience in this life. - P90

Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to live my life for You, and if it comes to it, to die for You. I desire to experience Your resurrection life in the midst of a dying world. In Your name, I pray, amen.
- P91

49This is how it will be at t...

49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous

50and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

- P84

54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. - P85

Jesus tells parables about a treasure in a field, a pearl of great value, and a netcatching all kinds of fish. These parables indicate that at the end of the age,
angels will separate the wicked from the righteous. Jesus then goes to Hishometown. When He teaches in the synagogue, the people take offense at Him.
He does not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. - P85

Jesus tells more parables to show what the kingdom of heaven is like.
Through the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value,
Jesus reveals the incomparable worth of God‘s kingdom. The kingdomof heaven is so valuable that it is worth giving up everything to possessit.  - P86

The parable of the net shows that, within the visible church, both trueand false believers will exist side by side until the day of judgment, whenGod Himself will separate them. Finally, Jesus‘ rejection in His hometownreminds us that not everyone will see the value of the kingdom of heaven.
Even those who saw Jesus daily failed to recognize His divine identity.  - P86

We all have things that we treasure, but God‘s gift of salvation through JesusChrist is the most precious treasure we can ever receive - P86

Dear Jesus, thank You for welcoming us into Your family. Help us to alsowelcome others. May our homes and church reflect Your love, and may wehonor You in all we say and do. In Your name, amen. - P87

34Jesus spoke all these thing...

34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. - P78

37He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.

38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,

39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

- P79

40"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.

41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.

42They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

- P79

Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed that becomes a treeand to yeast spreading through flour. He speaks in parables to fulfill prophecy.
Later, He explains the parable of the weeds to His disciples: the good seed arepeople of the kingdom, the weeds are people of the evilone, and at the endof the age, angels will separate them. - P79

Jesus tells two more parables about the kingdom of heaven. He likens it to a small mustard seed which grows into a tree where birds flock. He then likens it to yeast mixed into flour, which spreads through the whole dough. Through these parables, Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God begins small but grows with unstoppable influence. - P80

Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your kingdom is growing, unseen yet unstoppable. Strengthen my faith when I am discouraged by the evil I see in this world. - P80

When Jesus leaves the crowd, He explains to His disciples the meaning ofthe parable of the weeds. The good seed represents those who belong toGod, and the bad seed represents those who follow the devil. Both growtogether until the harvest the end of the age-when Jesus will return tojudge the world. The righteous will be gathered into His eternal kingdom,
while all who do evil will face judgment.  - P80

This passage reminds us that thepresent world is a mixed field of good and evil, truth and falsehood, lightand darkness. God allows these realities to coexist for now, but He willremove all sin in the end. Today, because He is patient, He gives peopletime to repent. - P80

Help me to trust Your process, stay faithful to Your Word, and believe that You are at work. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P80