Scripture

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here.”

Observation

Immediately after the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sends the disciples to go across the lake to Bethsaida. He goes up into the hills to pray.

Later that night, the disciples are in the middle of the lake, struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus walks on the water towards the boat. The disciples are terrified thinking He is a ghost.

Jesus tells them, to take ciyrage and not be afraid. He climbs into the boat, and the wind stops blowing.

Jesus and the disciples Land at Gennesaret. Crowds of people gather around Him, bringing sick people. Wherever He goes, Jesus heals all who are sick.

Application

The disciples were afraid, firstly, of the storm but also because they thought Jesus was a ghost coming to destroy them.

Jesus’ first words to them are words of comfort and encouragement. “Don’t be afraid! Take courage! I am here!”

Fear is closely related to faith, except that fear trusts that something bad will happen. Fear is a kind of negative faith that says, “God will not save us.”

There is a type of evil spirit that thrives on and generates fear in a person. It will cause us to be anxious and lock us up in phobias.

“Take courage” means that we take a big breath and face up to the chaos. We take a hold of faith and declare, “My God is greater than the storm.”

We can do all this because we know that Christ is with us. We are never alone because Jesus is at our right hand.

Listen.

Lord, how, can I learn from this experience to face up to the storms that may come my way?

Keith, you can be sure that storms will come your way. The enemy is always looking for ways to sink you and to destroy your faith.

Know this: I am with you always. I will never leave you or forsake you. When the storm is at its most ferocious, here I am with you.

Trust me. Rest In Me. Do not let fear or stress gain a foothold.

Scripture

They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of left over bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves.

Observation

When the disciples return from their ministry tour, Jesus says they should find a quiet place and rest for a while.

They cross the lake on a boat, but the people see them leaving and run around the lake to meet them. Jesus has compassion on them because they are like sheep without a shepherd.

Late in the afternoon, the disciples want to send the people away to get food. Jesus tells them, “You feed them.”

They find five small loaves of bread and two fish, and bring them to Jesus. Jesus has the crowd sit down on the grass. He takes the bread and fish, blesses them and breaks them, giving them to the disciples to distribute them.

After feeding 5000 men plus women and children, they have twelve baskets of leftovers

Application

I marvel at a God who can feed 10,000 or so people with one person’s lunch and have much more left over than what He started with. This is not too hard for the Creator of the universe, but it does boggle our little minds.

For many years I was in a place where we did not have much to live on. Yet, God provided more than enough. While we did not in theory have enough to live on, we were able to thrive and give generously to others.

The key is to be in the place God has called you to be doing the work that he has called you to do.

When we put God’s kingdom first, then He provides all the other things that we need and much more.

Listen

Lord, it really does defy my thinking when I see these miracles of provision, but I know you are willing and able to give all that we need.

Keith, I have always provided more than enough for people who commit themselves to trusting and obeying me.

Those stories of nuns and others who lived just on the communion bread and no other food, these stories are true. Their faith was simple. They knew that I had called them to live this way and they knew that I could supply what they needed.

You have experienced this in your own life.

The key is to keep your eyes on me. Follow my lead and everything will be provided for you.

Scripture

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.

Observation.

Jesus goes from village to village teaching the people. He calls the Twelve together and sends them out in twos, giving them authority over evil spirits. They are to take nothing with them, not even spare clothes.

Jesus gives them a strategy. In any town they are to stay in the one house for the length of their time there. If nobody welcomes them, they are to shake the dust from their feet as they leave.

The disciples go out telling everyone to repent of their sins and turn to God.

They cast out many demons and heal many sick people through anointing with oil.

Application

The gospel is very simple. God is the king, and we must turn away from our sins and enthrone him in our lives.

There is no mention in this passage of the results of their preaching. Many people are healed and released from demons. It doesn’t say how many believed in Jesus.

In modern times, we’ve made evangelism difficult. We teach techniques and presentations, but there is nothing of that back then. To many people, the courses make evangelism harder, not easier and undermine the confidence of ordinary disciples.

Many years ago, I came across the phrase “gossiping the gospel.” The idea is that in the early church, the believers would just talk about their faith in the normal course of their daily lives.

Most of us can manage that in some way or another We can say “In church on Sunday, we talked about…” or “I find that my problems are easier when I pray about them. Can I pray for you?”

If we don’t fret about getting people saved, but rather just getting the word out there to people, the pressure is a lot less, and the results are much better.

Listen

Lord. why is there an emphasis here about authority to cast out demons?

Keith, your culture has medicalised problems to a large extent. People are no longer tormented by demons. They suffer mental health issues. At least that is the popular explanation.

The fact is that you are in the middle of a battlefield and satan is holding many people captive. The entry points are things that were once considered sinful, but are now considered desirable, particularly things like drugs and sexual promiscuity.

People do not need antidepressants and other drugs. They need to be set free from the demons and to repent of their sins.

I have given all of my people authority to cast out demons and to preach the gospel of repentance.

Scripture

They were deeply offended and refused to believe in in him.

Observation

Jesus returns to Nazareth with his disciples. On the Sabbath Jesus goes to the synagogue where he teaches. At first, people are amazed at his wisdom and power to perform miracles.

The amazement turns to scepticism when they realise that he is just a carpenter’s son. They become offended.

Jesus says, to them that a prophet is honoured everywhere, except in his own hometown. Because of their unbelief Jesus can not do any miracles there, except to lay hands on a few sick people to heal them.

Application

The response of the residents of Nazareth to Jesus’s ministry goes quickly from amazement to scepticism and then deep offence.

The speed of this change, as it is narrated seems to be unusually high. Perhaps there were demons seeking to sow unbelief and even violence in the hearts of the people he grew up amongst.

We all need to check our own hearts in this regard. How open am I to the works of the Lord right now? Am I sceptical about answers to prayer or the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Even mature Christians can harbour feelings of unbelief or anger towards God. We don’t like to talk about these feelings and thoughts because they provoke guilt and shame in us.

If we allow these things to grow in our hearts, then can we can move from amazement at the gospel to scepticism and even deep offence.

Listen

Lord, thank you for this relationship that we have. I am amazed by the facts of your great love for me.

Keith. I have loved you, and all my people with an everlasting love from before the world began. I desire that every person would turn to me, let go of their sins and receive my love. It is sad, even tragic, that many people refuse to even listen to the gospel or allow my Spirit to whisper their name.

You are a channel of my grace. Keep on serving me and you will see many people saved, more than you can imagine.

Many hearts that are hard towards me now will soften and allow the seeds of the Gospel to take root in their lives and bear fruit.

Scripture

Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith”

Observation

After healing the woman, Jesus gets ready to move on to Jairus’s house, but messengers come with the news that the girl has died.

Jesus tells Jairus, “Don’t be afraid.”

Then Jesus stops the crowd from going any further, and He just takes Peter, James, and John with Him.

A crowd has gathered around Jarus’s house, mourning and weeping. Jesus goes inside and tells them that child is not dead, just asleep. He then takes the girl’s mother and father and the three disciples into the room where the girl is lying. He commands the girl to get up, and immediately she stands up and walks around.

The family are amazed. Jesus tells him not to tell anyone about what has happened.

Application

Jesus told Jairus, Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Faith and fear are opposite forces in our spiritual lives. They oppose each other seeking to pull our minds in different directions.

Faith means that we put our trust in our loving Father and believe that He will meet us at our point of need

fear is the belief that the the worst outcome will happen. We fear because we do not trust God.

Is your faith in a loving God, or in circumstances you cannot control?

God is bigger than the things that we are afraid of. He loves us with an unfailing love, and so we can trust Him in every situation.

Listen

Lord, what do you want to say to me today about faith and fear?

Keith, when a person really experiences my love, then fear is pushed out of their heart As it says, in one John 4, perfect love casts out fear.

Fear and faith cannot coexist in any heart at the same time.

My children who faced, and still face, suffering and death for my sake experience this. They trust me and are determined to follow me, regardless of what people do to them.

They know that to die is to be with me and to suffer is a blessing because it deepens their faith and their knowledge of me.

Do not be afraid. Just trust me.

Scripture

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

Observation

Jesus and the disciples return across the lake. A crowd quickly gathers around Him. A leader of the local synagogue, a man named Jairus, comes and pleads for Jesus to come with him and heal his daughter, who is dying.

As Jesus goes to Jairus’ house, the crowd presses in around Him. A woman in the crowd who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years, reaches through the crowd to touch Jesus’s robe, because she thinks that be doing this she will be healed. She is instantly healed.

Jesus realises that healing power has gone out from Him. He asks who touched his robe. The woman, trembling with fear, falls to her knees in front of him and tells him what she did. Jesus says to her, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Application.

An illness that has rendered this woman unclean for twelve years is healed with a touch.

Her faith was such that she determined that if she could touch the hem of Jesus’s garment, she could be healed. She didn’t seek attention or a prophetic word, she just touched His robe.

Her faith made her well. Jesus used her determined belief to heal her.

The word for heal here means to save. Just as faith in Jesus can save our souls, it can also heal our bodies.

Healing does not take against a great encounter with a famous preacher. We just reach out to Jesus and trust Him.

Listen.

Lord, is there more you want to say to me about healing?

Keith, there is always more to say about healing

This beautiful woman trusted me implicitly. She didn’t make a fuss, partly because of the shame of her condition. She was terrified when I saw her because she expected condemnation for breaking the purity laws.

According to the law, my robe should have been made unclean by her condition, But such is the power of grace, that it made both of us clean.

There was no need for a purification ritual. I declared her healed and clean.

Whenever I come into a person’s life, I bring cleansing from shame, forgiveness of sin, and healing of the body.

Scripture

The herd, about 2000 in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Observation

Jesus and the disciples arrive at the region of the Gerasenes. A man immediately comes to meet Jesus. The man is demonised and lives amongst the tombs. Nothing can restrain him as he breaks the strongest chains and shackles.

When the man sees Jesus, He falls to his feet and calls to Jesus, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”

Jesus asks him what his name is, and he replies, “Legion, for we are many.”

Jesus then cast out the demons, allowing them to go to into a nearby herd of pigs, which immediately throws itself into the lake.

The formerly demonised man now asks to go with Jesus, Jesus tells him to stay and tell his story to his family.

Application

To many of us this is a perplexing story that leaves many questions unanswered.

I find it hard to imagine what this man could have done that could open him up to so many destructive demons – hundreds of them.

Pigs, in Jewish thinking, were unclean animals so nobody would have been surprised at their deaths, except for their owners who lost a lot of money that day.

The demons clearly thought that mass suicide of pigs was preferable to any other fate that Jesus, whom they recognised as the Son of the Most High God might have for them.

Even the demons recognise, that Jesus is the Son of God. They believe but do not give their loyalty to Him.

Listen.

Lord, what do you want to say to me about this passage?

Keith, I am Lord of all things and all people, whether they recognise me or not,

The wind and the waves obey me and so do the angels and demons At the end of time and the re-creation of all things every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that I am Lord.

The reign of Satan over those who do not acknowledge me will soon will soon come to an end. His power is limited. His rule over men, and demons is limited.

When I make the new heavens and the new earth, these things will be no more.

Their ability to hold people in such pitiful captivity will be ended.

Look, I am making all things new!

Scripture

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Observation

Jesus used stories and illustrations to teach the people. He explained it all when he was alone with the disciples.

Jesus and the disciple sail across the lake on a boat, leaving the crowd behind. A fierce storm comes up. High waves begin to fill the boat with water.

Jesus sleeps through it all, until the disciples wake Him up. Jesus stands up, rebukes the wind and commands the waves to be still. Suddenly, the storm dies down.

The disciples are terrified, asking “Who is this Jesus that the wind and waves obey Him?”

Application

The storms, winds and waves that threaten our lives are inconsequential to the Lord, so our greatest fears are so easily overcome.

There are times when Jesus does sovereignly work exciting miracles for us to rescue us out of storms and other dire situations.

Other times He walks with us through the storm. He goes with us and gives us strength and resilience to cope with all things.

Why does God seem to act so capriciously giving miracles for some and peace or strength to cope to others?

This is always determined by what is good for us. If we need to go through the storm, He will take us through it. If it is better to remove the storm, He will do that.

Our God is awesome in His ability to ensure that all things work for our good.

Listening

Lord, I am intrigued that Jesus used so many parables and illustrations. Why was this?

Keith, the language of the spirit is not analytical or propositional language. It is always above all else firstly picture language.

The power of speaking through stories is that they speak to the heart. Those who are ready to receive swallow the message quickly, while the hard of heart reject it because they cannot get past the surface level.

Parables reveal the heart of the hearer and not just the truth of the message. You see the truth according to your depth of your heart.

Parables are meant to be chewed over. That is why I made them so memorable.

Read, hear, meditate. There is more depth than, you know.

Scripture

“To those who listen to my teaching more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Observation

Jesus asks, would you light a lamp and then conceal it? Of course not, the lamp is placed so that its light can shine out. The mysteries of the Gospel are being revealed to those who seek them.

The more we pay attention to Jesus, the more understanding we will receive. Those who refuse to listen will lose even the little understanding they have.

The Kingdom of God is like seed that grows. Nobody knows how it happens, but little by little the plant grows and matures.

The kingdom of God is also like a mustard seed planted in the ground, even though it is the smallest of seeds, it grows into a great tree

Application

It has been said that faith is like a muscle. The more you exercise it the stronger it becomes. Similarly understanding of spiritual things increases as we press into Jesus and listen to Him- reading the word, praying, fellowship.

I am sometimes impressed by the depth of spiritual understanding of some people who struggle to read but have a deep comprehension of not just the written word, but how to apply it in their lives.

Understanding means that we see the spiritual powers and authorities and can discern what to pray to overcome them. Understanding means that we train ourselves to think about what Jesus would do in the challenges of life, or to ask the Holy Spirit what we should do.

Understanding means depending on God’s wisdom rather than our own in all of the messy times of life or in helping others to navigate their own chaotic lives.

As we listen to Jesus to find His ways, He will reveal more to us, so that we truly do grow in wisdom.