Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 350
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
14:18–15:4
“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the
grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven,
and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread
to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much
as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of
leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women
and children!
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the
boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
Night fell while he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong
wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock
in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the
disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear,
they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you,
walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward
Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and
began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little
faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the
disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. When the
people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout
the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed.
They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all
who touched him were healed.
Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem
to see Jesus. They asked him, “Why do your disciples disobey our ageold tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing
before they eat.”
Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct
commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and
