The Life of Christ

King Herod had married his brother Philip's wife, Herodias. John the Baptist rebuked him for this. The king was furious. He ordered the imprisonment of John in Makheros Castle in Berea, where he stayed for more than one year. But his confinement did not stop his disciples from visiting him. They told him about the many miracles that Jesus was performing, the most marvellous of which was the raising to life of a young man, the son of the widow of Nain. They also told him about the crowds that were flocking to Jesus, amazed by his words and deeds.

John the Baptist had already declared his loyalty and love toward Jesus. He had no doubts whatsoever about Jesus' love for him; but he was wondering why Jesus ignored him in his prison for so many months. Was not Jesus the promised Christ -- the champion of the aggrieved? What could be more dreadful than the injustice done to the Baptist because of his zeal for the truth? How could Jesus, his beloved kinsman, not extend to him his powerful hand and rescue him from his dangerous situation, even if a miracle had to be performed? Maybe John expected Christ's kingdom to be an earthly one, surrounded by glory and splendour. He must have asked, Where is this kingdom whose approach I have heralded? Where was the love and mercy that Jesus, King of this kingdom, should have shown?

As John was a fallible human being, exposed to Sin, he must have had fits of despair and doubt in his extremely uncertain circumstances, especially after all the freedom, power, and greatness he had previously had. It must have been very hard for him, in his prime, to be chained in jail doing nothing, after years of hard work and great activity. A day came when he lost his nerve; his patience gave out. He sent two of his most loyal disciples to question Jesus if he really was the promised Christ, or if this Christ was yet to come.

When the two disciples came to Jesus, they asked him, Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else? While they were there, Christ cured many people of their sicknesses. Then, he turned to them and said, Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. From this statement, directed at the two disciples of the Baptist, we deduce that John's question had originated from real doubts. Yet, this was the only recorded lapse of this great man of God. The Bible mentions many mistakes committed by prophets and apostles. The Psalmist says, Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults (Psalm 19:12). Solomon also said something similar: For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity (Proverbs 24:16).

It is fortunate that John's doubts directed him towards Jesus, not away from him. Out of selfish motives, some people express doubts to show how knowledgeable they are, or to prove that they are not in the wrong. God will punish these people. Others' doubts stem from clinging to certain things. Those people cannot find the truth unless they repent and leave behind their sins, whether they are done openly or secretly. Those whose doubts result from lack of knowledge can only come to faith through study, inquiry, and heavenly guidance, while doing their duty honestly, in a timely manner. John the Baptist was a mixture of love, zeal, humility, and fear. His doubts inevitably cleared as the sun of faith and certainty shone upon his heart.

Some people have suggested that John the Baptist did not doubt but that he wanted his two messengers to receive a convincing answer from Jesus, which would be useful for the rest of his disciples. If that is so, then John the Baptist, till the end of his ministry, endeavoured to guide people towards Christ. Previous to his imprisonment, he had announced that Jesus was greater than he was, and that although Christ had come after him, he had actually existed before him.

God, in his love and mercy, willed that John should die as a martyr to gain a double reward in eternity. From John, we have an effective example of a courageous person who obeyed God's orders without fearing man, even though that man was King Herod. John's predicament served as an excellent example of proclaiming the Good News and God's principles, despite outward circumstances. That is why Jesus did not rescue John from his ordeal.

Jesus preferred to answer John's question by deeds rather than words. ...At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind (Luke 7:21). After this tangible proof that he was Christ, Jesus told the two messengers to convey to their noble master what they had seen and heard of his divine miracles and teachings. He wanted them to know that someone who had gained so wide a reputation, shown so much power, and took such kindly interest in teaching the poor, must be the Christ. He was the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy that says: Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 29:19); also: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1).

In his answer to John's question, Jesus emphasised the importance of his deeds as evidence of his heavenly origin. If he were really the Christ, it would be shown in his deeds as well as his words. Fearing that his silence, his method of answering John's question, and his restraint in saving him might be misinterpreted as neglect, Jesus praised him as soon as John's two messengers had left. He did not want his praise to reach John's ears, fearing it might be taken as consolation, or even flattery. Praising people, when they are not around, doubles the value of a compliment.

Jesus reminded his hearers of John's days of success. John's listeners had left their homes and work, flocking to him in the wilderness to hear his words, and to be baptised by him. Jesus asked the people if they had found John fickle, riddled by fears or ambitions, a reed bending in the wind. The answer was, of course, in the negative. Was it John's firmness, determination, or assertiveness that had been the reason for his imprisonment? Had the crowds found John to be a selfish man, searching for the luxuries of life? Was any contradiction, between John's actions and words, a reason for disobeying his teachings? Did they not rather find him extremely self-denying, giving his whole self to the service of God by serving mankind? It is therefore unfair to regard John the Baptist's questions concerning Jesus, through his two messengers, as an indication of weakness or indecisiveness.

If the people considered him to be a prophet, they were right. But he was also greater than a prophet. Neither Moses who gave them the Law after delivering them out of Egypt, nor Elijah who resisted idol worship and performed amazing miracles, nor David who looked after his people as a king for forty years and gave the world his wonderful Psalms, has rendered the world a more essential service than John the Baptist. John paved the way for Christ and directed people towards him.

If the saying is true that the creation is God's dependent, and his most beloved is the most beneficial of his dependants, then John the Baptist is truly his most beloved. Jesus' testimony about John proves these words: I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). This means he was greater than any other prophet who was born naturally, excluding Jesus. John the Baptist excelled all other Old Testament prophets by actually seeing Jesus, the promised Messiah. Christ ended his words by saying,...yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Matthew 11:11). This means that the lowliest believer in the New Testament realises and understands more -- than any Old Testament believer -- that the kingdom of Christ is a spiritual one, and that Jesus came to redeem his people by his death.

Jesus censured the elders of the Jews because they were the ones about whom one could say, Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last (Luke 13:30). Instead of being the first to benefit from John's service of preaching and baptising, they rejected God's will for themselves, and refused to be baptised by John because of their knowledge and position in society. Sinners, however, obeyed God's righteous demands and were baptised by him. They approved of God's goodness which was shown by John's proclamation. Jesus said that the elders of the Jews criticised John for remaining distant, keeping away from people, and choosing an ascetic lifestyle. They said that John was possessed, so they rejected him. Then, they criticised Jesus for living among people, being near them, choosing to live a simple life, sharing with others their joys and sorrows. They said he was ...a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 'sinners' (Luke 7:34); so they rejected him too. These elders proved to be insincere in levelling both charges, making clear the fact that true wisdom can never be shown and promoted except by its true sons.

Dear Reader, do not be unbelieving but trust in Jesus Christ. Open your heart now and receive him as your Lord and Saviour. He is God's only way to salvation.

Simon, the Pharisee, invited Jesus to dine with him along with some other guests, and Jesus accepted. We do not know Simon's reason behind this invitation because we do not know his character. He might have had the good intention to simply honour a famous man and witness his deeds and hear his words. He may also have had the malicious intention, along with his colleagues, to catch Jesus in his words. Jesus' motive in accepting the invitation is clear, however, because we know his character and the principles by which he lived. Jesus loved his enemies even though they tried to kill him. He proved himself to be zealous in seizing every opportunity to win men's souls, whether they were great or not.

Although Simon respected Jesus for his miracles and widespread reputation as a prophet, he had some contempt for him because of his humble background. Jesus was a poor man from Nazareth. He had not graduated from Jewish theological schools and did not observe the Pharisaic traditions and customs. Simon despised Jesus from a religious standpoint. This is why he did not offer Jesus the due respect and service he deserved as his guest. It appears that Simon considered his invitation alone to be sufficient honour for that Nazarene.

The news of Jesus being invited to Simon's home reached every part of town; maybe also the news of his not being honoured. In response to this, a woman, known to be a sinner, became enthusiastic. She could not tolerate the poor treatment of such a great prophet and teacher, and wanted to compensate for the lack of hospitality he had received. Arriving with a bottle of rich perfume, she stood at Jesus' feet. This was because she knew her humble position as a sinner in the eyes of all those gathered. She also felt the heavy weight of her sinful past. She did not dare to anoint Jesus' head with her rich perfume. Instead, she poured it over his feet. Can we not consider her to be one of the tired, weary, heavy-laden people who had heard his holy call a few hours earlier? She accepted his invitation and came to him in repentant faith.

We can picture her standing behind him, applying the perfume to his feet. But more precious than this were the tears of her repentance streaming down her cheeks and mixing with the fragrance. Some of her tears were those of shame, due to her shameful past. Others were tears of joy because of her gratitude to Jesus for the new life and forgiveness he had granted her. In him, she found rest and peace for her soul. Her honourable deed was familiar to the onlookers. What they could not understand was seeing a wicked woman shedding tears of repentance before their eyes, respectfully wiping Jesus' feet with her hair, the dearest thing to her. They may have attributed what she had done to her being drunk, little realising that she did what she did out of humility, accepting her forgiveness with thanksgiving. She kissed the feet of Jesus who had led her to repentance and salvation.

Simon, the Pharisee, avoided tax collectors and sinners completely. That is why he was so unhappy to have such a woman in his house. He was also offended by what she had done to Jesus. He must have been astonished at Jesus for his acceptance of what she had done to him. Did he not know who she was? If he did, then he was wrong in allowing her to touch him. If he did not, then he could not have been a prophet. These thoughts had been turning in Simon's mind, but he did not say a word. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking. He told him a parable:

A creditor had two debtors; one owed him fifty silver coins, the other owed him five hundred. He cancelled the debts of both. Which one then will love him more? Simon replied, ...the one who had the bigger debt cancelled. Jesus made it evident to Simon that he was the one who owed little, whereas the sinful woman was the one with the larger obligation. Jesus contrasted the tears she shed on his feet with the customary foot washing that Simon did not offer him. He also showed the difference between her kissing his feet and the kiss Simon never give him. Thirdly, he contrasted the rich perfume she poured upon his feet with the common oil he should have put on his head, but did not. Jesus interpreted her good deed as an appeal to have her sins forgiven, and he granted her request. Her loving thankfulness to the one who forgave her came as a result of her awareness of the greatness of her sins. Simon did not feel the real weight of his sins, and so did not feel any grateful love. Simon could not understand her feelings.

Jesus' statement, ... her many sins have been forgiven-- for she loved much.... is read along with this parable. Jesus declared to Simon that a sinner loves much because he has been forgiven much. It is not to be concluded that a sinner's love precedes forgiveness or causes it. A man is not forgiven because of his great love, but he loves much because he has been forgiven an enormous debt.

Jesus then said to the woman, Your sins are forgiven. When Jesus knew that the onlookers were criticising him, as they did when he forgave the paralysed man, he said to the woman: Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. Those who are forgiven much, make every effort not to return to their sins.

Even today, Jesus is still the only Saviour who can forgive the sinner and turn him back to the right way. Have you found this Saviour, the only one who can truly save?

Jesus often taught in parables, but these were free of mystical elements or humour, for they revealed to his audience the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.

The day was about to end and evening was near. The disciples sent the crowd home and took Jesus with them, setting sail to the other side of the lake. Other boats followed them. As they sailed in the dark, Jesus was sleeping on a pillow in the back of the boat. The Scriptures mention that Jesus hungered, thirsted, was sad, tired, wept, and rejoiced; but it was never mentioned in the Bible that he slept, except on this occasion. As the Son of Man, he slept. This gives decisive proof of his true humanity. Regarding his divine nature, however, David's words are still true: He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4). Thus, in spite of this physical sleep, he was awake and watching over his companions in the boat while they were steering it into the coming storm from the surrounding hills. The disciples had spent most of their lives by this lake and had encountered many storms in its waters. That is why they began to prepare the sails and oars for a possible emergency which this violent tempest might bring.

It did not take very long for the waves to wash over the boat, filling it with water. The situation became dangerous. Long ago, an ark carrying eight people -- the family of righteous Noah -- survived a mighty flood. Would this small nucleus of Christians in the world, consisting of Jesus and his disciples, survive this storm? Was not their safety as important as the safety of Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth?

We see in this storm the devastating powers taking advantage of Christ's sleep, trying to destroy him and his disciples. We can imagine those fishermen and their courageous efforts in trying to withstand the storm. We can hear them shouting instructions to one another over the wind and roaring waves. We can see them staggering under the violent swells, in the dark of the night. They made every effort to empty the boat. A ship can weather an unsettled sea, but when the angry sea gets inside the ship, it can never survive. In the same way, if a man faces a storm of evils in this world, he can save himself. But when the storms of evil rage in his own heart, he can never survive. The ocean storms do not drown a man. What destroys him is the storm within his soul. This is true of a Church, as well as of its individual members. The wicked around it can never destroy it, but the evil ones within it can!

Did it occur to the disciples that Jesus could keep the boat and its occupants from all harm, even though he was sleeping? We do not think so. Great fear can disturb the mind and drive out faith whenever it is weak. The disciples lacked faith in Christ while he was asleep, as we lack faith in him because he is out of our sight. The disciples may have noticed the coming of the storm before they put out to sea, but it is not safe to assume that they blamed Christ for having insisted that they leave the shore after they wanted to stay in the harbour. Maybe they wondered how he could still be asleep, despite their cries and the roar of the storm. How could he be so indifferent to the great danger facing them?

It could even be possible that, after the storm became worse, Jesus meant to put their faith to the test. At first, their love and respect for him probably stopped them from waking him up. They did not expect any help from him in guiding the boat. But when all their devices were exhausted, and all their efforts had failed, there was nothing left for them but to do but to wake him. Did they not have a right to ask for his help with this great danger facing them? They shouted, Teacher, don't you care if we drown? It seems they quickly forgot what they had learned about his divinity and tremendous power, and, in their ignorance, they thought that harm could come to a boat carrying a man whom they had come to know as the true Lord. At last, they mustered up the courage to wake him -- the one who ...gathers the waters of the sea into jars and puts the deep into storehouses (Psalms 33:7); the one who said: Should you not fear me?'' declares the LORD. ``Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it (Jeremiah 5:22).

When Jesus woke up, he found two tempests: one on the lake, the other in his disciples' hearts. Although he was interested in reproving the second one more than the first, he, in his kindness, began by rebuking the stormy sea. He knew that calming down the disciples would not be effective unless he first quieted the storm; so he did just that. The Master of the Sea said, Quiet! Be still!

This miracle is different from Moses' miracle when he held his rod over the sea by God's order. Jesus only had to speak in order to subdue the roaring waves. He was the one about whom it was written: Who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations (Psalm 65:7). To him, we witness and say with the Psalmist, You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them (Psalm 89:9). The one who reproved the Sea of Galilee is the one, who in the past, had parted the Red Sea. The Israelites then walked upon the dry sea bed. God ruled over the Red Sea to serve the people who feared him. He quieted the roaring of the Sea of Galilee to allow his disciples to sail on. As sheep do not recognise or obey anyone except their shepherd, so too the winds and waves only recognise and obey the voice of their Maker. Upon his order, the wind became silent. This sudden stillness was unusual because, normally, the sea becomes calm gradually after a storm. In this way, this miracle was doubly effective.

In this story of the storm-tossed boat, we see an analogy of daily life. The safety of Christians and of the Church, in life's tempests, rests in Christ truly being present in the hearts of his people. He is the only one who can rebuke the forces of evil and bring about victory and tranquillity.

In this miracle, we have a glimpse of God's intention to restore man's sovereignty over nature, which he lost through the Fall. God secured this through the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross, and its outworking is twofold. First, a believer can meet all the dangers and harmful effects of nature without fear. Second, because of Christ's power in each believer, it is possible for them to overcome dangers and benefit from them. Just as the force of wind can be utilised to generate electricity, so too the believer can confront many other forces, avert their harmful effects, and make use of their benefits.

The wind represents the external misfortunes that overcome man, like the natural forces which kill the body. The waves of the sea represent the internal troubles seething within the human soul. They are Satanic forces that destroy the personality. In this double miracle, Jesus declared his intention to perform a double work within everyone who is buffeted about by the storms of life. He is the one who provides safety from both misfortunes, and grants the victory too. Misfortunes and tests are like the melting pot of a jeweller. Although the pot does not transform gold into copper, nor copper into gold, it does bring forth the genuineness of a substance and removes any impurities. It also makes gold brighter than the copper. In the same way, trials do not make the good, good, nor do they make the evil, evil. But they do bring out the truth and expose the corruption of wicked people, just as they reveal the goodness of the righteous and increase it.

Once the tempest on the sea was stilled, Jesus turned his attention to the storm raging in the disciples' hearts. He calmed it by a kind reprimand when he asked why they were frightened. Did they still have no faith? He demonstrated his power in dealing with external misfortunes as well as with internal trials which are more dangerous. At his word, both tempests were stilled, and through this experience, the disciples learned a valuable lesson. God permits trials and misfortunes to happen only for our good. We remember what the Apostle Paul said: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

After calming down the storm, something happened which turns our attention from Christ's works to the works of his adversary, the Devil, who was never silent about Christ during the whole of his public ministry. He tried to make up for failing to defeat Jesus in the wilderness by doubling his control over some people, and using them in his fight against Christ, his great enemy.

Among the Devil's human tools was this demon-possessed man wandering in the wilderness at the place where Jesus decided to get out of the boat. When this man saw Jesus' boat coming, he left his shelter among the rocky graves and went to the place where Jesus would arrive. Previously, he had cut off all roads leading to the area, probably intending to attack any people who would enter that way -- especially Jesus, for he knew him. He came shouting and bleeding because he had cut himself with stones. At this, Jesus ordered the evil spirits to come out of him. Immediately, the man shouted, saying, What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me! The first effect of Christ's ordering the evil spirits to leave was torture for the possessed man. The Devil does not leave a person before he tortures and hurts him, throwing him to the ground. He finds pleasure in tormenting and destroying man. That is why the possessed man was frightened and asked to be rid of his pains. The Devil's anguish occurs when his victims are snatched from his grip. Thus, both the Devil and the demon-possessed man were shouting, Do not torture me.

What a touching scene on the side of the lake. Jesus is standing, crowned with holiness, authority, and compassion. Behind him, the disciples are in great confusion as a result of their exhaustion from the previous night. They are also facing the new threat of the possessed man, and are uncertain as to their fate. In spite of their confusion, we can see on their faces the signs of pity for this man who was tortured with evil spirits. Here before them was this wild man, naked, bleeding, and bowing before their master. On his face was a look of hope -- the look of a man seeking help from someone whom he felt could deliver him from his pitiful condition.

Jesus asked him, What is your name? The man answered, My name is Legion; for we are many. The demons suggested that Jesus allow them to enter a herd of pigs rather than be sent to the bottomless pit. Jesus granted their wish. There were about two thousand pigs feeding near the mountains, some distance from them. Owning pigs was forbidden to the Jews. The fact that some Jews owned pigs shows their preference of financial prosperity over religion. Jesus punished them by letting their unlawful herd perish. This was also a visible proof that Satanic possession is real, and that recovery from this condition is genuine and permanent. Everyone could see how enslavement to the Devil was to be punished. It was also proof of Christ's authority over the material goods which he disposes of according to his wisdom. The one who allowed such a loss to occur to the owners of the pigs is the rightful and original owner. Does he not allow such things to happen daily in this world, even among his followers? Every devout person should say to the Lord: Everything you give me, I accept gratefully. Everything you take away, I offer gladly. Everything I wish to possess and do not receive, I forego, without grumbling. ...The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised (Job 1:21).

When Jesus told the evil spirits to go, they went out of the man and entered the pigs. The whole herd then rushed down the side of the cliff into the lake and was drowned. The men who were looking after the pigs were amazed at what happened, and they ran to tell their story in the village and town. Those who heard rushed to the place where this strange incident occurred. When they arrived, they saw what had happened to the pigs, and noticed the demon-possessed man dressed, sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, listening to his teachings about the kingdom of God.

We would expect the people to have rejoiced at seeing Satan's power bound and his victim delivered from slavery. We would also think that they would have thanked Christ for his miracle. The strange thing is that they expelled Jesus from their town, for they counted the loss of the pigs greater than the benefit of having the Devil conquered.

What would this man, who was cured, do? Would he ask to return to his home and work, in order to make up for the long years he had lost? If his cure had been physical only, he would have done so. But Jesus never healed a body without healing the soul which is immeasurably more important. This man's spiritual cure is apparent because he asked to be with Jesus.

We have, in this demon-possessed man, a true example of a sinner. Surely, Sin is the madness of the soul, and the madness of the mind is merely a symptom of true madness, which is Sin. The demon-possessed man preferred his home to be the unclean graves rather than a clean house. His work was to hurt himself and any other person who passed his way. He shunned the company of healthy people and chose to associate with other men like himself, as well as with the wild beasts. He said to Jesus, What do you want with me? But Christ, in his infinite compassion, saved this man from his oppression. There has never been and never will be a saviour from the madness of Sin and its consequences, other than the Saviour who delivered this demoniac of Gedara.

Jesus went to Capernaum after being driven out of Gear where he had cured the possessed man and destroyed the pigs. There was a man in this area named Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue. He had a daughter who was about to die; there was no hope left but to resort to the famous Nazarene.

Jairus must have decided to go to Jesus, asking him to come to his house. But he found it difficult to leave his only daughter in her condition at the time. He also did not expect Jesus to come to his house if he sent for him, and he was unable to take his daughter to Jesus while she was so ill; so Jairus hurried to the shore, fell at Jesus' feet, and worshipped him. How great was everyone's astonishment when they saw their religious ruler in such a humble posture before the poor carpenter from Nazareth, the friend of tax collectors and sinners. However, what Jairus and the people of Capernaum had heard about Jesus probably helped them to understand Jairus' reverential behaviour. Great misfortune had humbled Jairus and led him to Jesus, where the door of mercy was opened before him. His misfortune was to turn into a greater blessing.

Jesus waited while Jairus described his daughter's condition, begging him earnestly for help. Jairus showed complete faith in Jesus, saying: My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live. Jesus can never ignore a request like this accompanied with faith; for faith is the only bucket with which we can pull up the life-giving water from the well of salvation. It is the only eye with which we can see the way to heaven and walk in it, for in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith' (Romans 1:17).

Here we face a question: Why did Jesus not order the girl's cure, without going to the house? He had done this twice before. Would it not have been a greater miracle and a more powerful reason for the crowd and the people of the town to believe in him? Maybe Jesus acted in this way because he knew what Jairus and the others did not know: the girl had already died after her father left the house. Jairus was the chief of the synagogue and, as such, would not ordinarily have been friendly to Jesus. Because Jesus went along with Jairus, he showed us an exemplary love -- that of one's enemy. Because Jairus completed the four essential conditions for receiving the Saviour's blessing, he received what he wanted; Jesus went with him to his house. These were the four conditions:

While Jesus was walking towards the house of Jairus, he was thronged by the crowd and unable to walk quickly. This must have annoyed Jairus; minutes must have seemed like hours. What must have made him even angrier was another delay on account of a poor woman who needed help. She suffered from excessive bleeding. But this delay, as we shall see, brought blessing to Jairus, for it strengthened his faith and revived his hope.

This woman, who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years, approached Jesus. Her illness had wasted her strength, and she had spent all her money on medicines -- to no avail. Because of the nature of her illness, she was considered to be unclean according to the Law of Moses. That is why she could not have met Jesus alone to tell him about her sickness, nor could she speak about it in public. What could she do?

She had the power of faith in Jesus, along with her need of him. She must have said to herself: If I just touch his clothes, I will get well. I do not have to disturb the teacher, nor do I have to face the crowd. She did not allow anything to stop her from doing what she thought was necessary. The crowds did not hinder her. She came behind this healer, touched the hem of his garment, and was cured immediately. Her restoration was sudden and unexpected.

This woman came from behind Jesus. She did not touch his body. She thought that he would never see her, nor be aware of what she had done. But, because he sees the unseen, he stopped walking and asked, Who touched My clothes? Peter responded, saying, You see the people crowding against you, and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' But Jesus was not inquiring about a random touch, but about the touch of faith; for nothing interests him more. This woman's faith distinguished her from many others like her who wanted to be cured. The mere touch of Jesus' clothes, accompanied with faith, led her to salvation. Without faith, even living with Jesus and sharing his company for three years will not bring about any significant results, as was the case with Judas Iscariot, the traitor. Judas had had the privilege of being with Jesus, yet did not have faith; so his condemnation doubled.

By this miracle, Jesus intended to bring about a physical and spiritual cure. He meant to strengthen his disciples' and Jairus' faith as well. Scripture says, For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10:10).

Jesus looked behind, saw the woman, and indicated that he knew her. She became terrified, for she did not know how tender and loving he was to people. She feared she might be punished for taking something she had no right to take, or at least be sternly rebuked in front of the crowd. She could do nothing but to confess publicly. She came to him, bowed, and told him everything about her illness. She confessed what she had done secretly and how she had been wonderfully cured. He spoke to her with great pity and compassion: Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.

Jesus resumed his walk towards Jairus' house. A messenger came from the house, saying: Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any more? Did Jairus feel sorry for his humility before Jesus? Did he regret leaving his house at the time of his daughter's death? Did he expect his comrades, the Pharisees, to be angry with him because he had gone to Jesus -- a man whom they hated for not submitting to their authority? Jesus realised all that was going in the mind of Jairus and comforted him, saying, Do not be afraid; just believe.

When Jesus arrived at Jairus' house, he ordered his disciples to stay with the crowd outside, except for Peter, James, and John, whom he had begun to favour over the others. Thus, he took them with him to witness this great miracle. When he entered the house, he was disturbed by the crying and wailing, and he rebuked what was going on. He tried to remove their misconceptions about physical death by returning a soul. to its body after it had departed. He likened death to sleep, in relation to the life to come. When a person sleeps, he wakes up refreshed. He said to those gathered: Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.

They (especially the hired mourners) mocked Jesus for not knowing the difference between sleep and death. He turned them out of the room. Nobody witnessed the battle by which Jesus overcame death except the father, the mother, and the three disciples. It was said of him by the prophets: He will swallow up death forever...; [He] will ransom them from the power of the grave; [He] will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?...; ...[He] has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.... (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 2 Timothy 1:10).

Jesus said that no one could take his life from him but that he would lay it down willingly, for he had the power to lay it down and to take it again (John 10:18). He entered the room of death with these five persons, and, with his authority, held the girl's hand and spoke to the soul which had left the body. Jesus said, Little girl, I say to you, get up. Then, life returned to the body; the girl got up at once and started walking around. Jesus told her parents to give her something to eat. This miracle caused great amazement.

Jesus left Nazareth and began moving through the towns and villages serving the people, proclaiming the Good News, teaching in the synagogues, and curing the sick. He was disturbed by the peoples' condition. He likened them to a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Yes, they had shepherds, but only by name. These shepherds were hirelings who did not care about the sheep. They did not lead them to the green pastures, nor did they take them to the thirst-quenching waters. To such miserable and wretched sheep came the Good Shepherd who would lay down his life for them; when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them....

Jesus began training his disciples to be able to take part in the harvest of souls. He called his twelve disciples and sent them out, two by two. He had taught them for a long time. Now it was time to send them to serve others. He told them, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. He taught them that the owner of the harvest sends the reapers. They go in answer to prayer.

It is essential that the spiritual shepherds should be ready for their work. First, they have to volunteer. Then, they have to be chosen by the appropriate people. But their work can never succeed unless they are sent by the Spirit of God. Successful spiritual work does not depend on the theological schools which believers attend, nor on the salary they are offered, but on their being sent by the Lord of the harvest.

Jesus supplied those appointed disciples with enough resources as they went out, two by two. He gave them miraculous power and authority to heal, drive out demons, and raise the dead. Through these miracles, their proclamation would be verified. He also gave them what was more important: the direct instructions concerning the content and method of their preaching. Jesus made clear to them the difference between the people to whom they would preach and the elders of the Jews who made religion a business from which to gain material profit.

The good that is done by someone, who is not repaid, has a double reward. That is why Jesus gave his disciples this rule: Freely you have received, freely give. To make it easy for them to follow that rule, Jesus guaranteed their material needs for their trip. He told them that these would come to them without their making any arrangements. He would care for their earthly needs as long as they continued to care for his spiritual interests. All things will be increased to those who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus reminded his disciples not to wander from one house to another in the same village. There would not be enough time to bring about the desired effect if they would go to more than one dwelling. The disciples had to get one household on fire with the Good News in each town, so that, when they left, the people of that home would influence the rest of the city. Since they would be representing the King who sent them, Jesus reminded them to give stern warnings to those who would reject them and their teachings. Whoever would insult them would also be offending the King who sent them. Jesus would punish everyone who would harm them. All who reject a messenger representing the Heavenly Throne can never get away with it. They will face a fearful punishment.

Jesus prophesied to his disciples that they would face fierce persecution from those whom they served. They would be like sheep among wolves. Their work in proclaiming the Good News would expose them to hate and persecution by kings and rulers. They would have to be as gentle as lambs, avoiding viciousness and revenge. They also would need to know that the Spirit of God would never leave them and that they would need to rely on Him for defence. Jesus would be treated in the same way they were going to be treated. This would console them when they faced hatred by everyone for his name. The danger of physical torture or death would not justify their being scared or over-cautious, compared to the peril of eternal spiritual torment. God's care for them would include everything; even their very hairs were numbered (Matthew 10:30). Whoever confesses the Saviour here on earth without fear, will, in the end, get the Saviour's acknowledgement in heaven.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. His kingdom is the kingdom of peace. But peace sometimes necessitates spiritual conflict to maintain it. Revealing the truth causes those in error to fight back, for Jesus did not come to bring peace to the world, but a sword. His work must separate the closest of relatives in many instances. This will make clear who it is that prefers to please family rather than God, forsaking the Heavenly King in favour of relatives. He who disowns God and denies his faith to save his life will be the loser. Whoever remains faithful will receive a reward for the good things he does, however simple they are. Even giving a cup of cold water to one of Jesus' disciples, as a sign of love, will be rewarded. When Jesus had completed this speech, his messengers went everywhere to begin the crucial work that he had entrusted to them.

After Jesus had sent his disciples to preach, King Herod beheaded John the Baptist. This was at the request of the wife of Herod's brother, for Herod had married her. When the twelve disciples came back from their service, they were surprised by the news of John's death. They must have been deeply affected; especially those who had first found the true way through his preaching.

When the disciples had told Jesus about the various teaching and preaching experiences they had throughout the country, the crowds began to flock to them, demanding so much service that there was no time left for the disciples to eat. Jesus thought it wise to take the disciples with him to a quiet place to rest. Also, John had recently been beheaded, so Jesus decided to keep out of sight with his disciples for a while. To the government officials, all of the people around Jesus could appear as if he were mustering together a mob in retaliation to John's being beheaded; so Jesus sent them away. He wanted to disperse the large crowds -- a situation that could be used as a pretence for his arrest.

The boat that was selected for his service was waiting, and their weariness called for some relaxation. The sea was the best place for Jesus and his disciples to withdraw from the crowd and the pressure of work. It was also a wise choice for them to leave the province governed by John's murderer, Herod. They went to the province of Herod's brother, Philip, who was a much better ruler than Herod. By relocating, Jesus would be better able to teach his disciples certain things which he could not teach them in town. He boarded the boat with them and set out to sea. Because the wind was not favourable, the ship was going slowly, which gave them an opportunity to rest.

The crowds, however, went ahead to Bethsaida, walking along the northern shore of the lake. The moment the ship arrived, the crowd, along with many of the local inhabitants, met Jesus and his disciples. His kind heart did not allow him to send them away, treat them badly, or scold them. As long as they sought him, he would respond to their needs. He restored those who needed healing, and then withdrew again. He took his disciples and went up a hill. As soon as he sat down, a large crowd started coming towards him. He did not show signs of anger, but expressed compassion when he saw their hungry souls like stray sheep without a shepherd. He showed mercy toward them and healed those who were sick. The crowd remained with Jesus until evening. Then, he had a new problem: Who was going to feed these thousands?

That evening, the disciples were wondering what to do. They huddled together and decided to tell Jesus their proposal. They had not yet learned to be patient and wait for instructions from their master. They had also forgotten that he did not need anyone to remind him what to do. They must have thought that they had a better estimation of was good for the crowd, for Jesus, and for themselves.

They came to Christ, saying: This is a remote place .... and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. It seems they feared that the crowd might ask them for a meal. They thought these men, women, and children -- some of which were sick -- would suffer in this wilderness once evening came.

Jesus asked the disciples about some place where food could be obtained. They were quite aware of the difficulty of the situation into which Jesus had put them. They made their calculations and found that the bread alone would cost more than two hundred silver coins. Where was the money to come from? Did Jesus have it? He did not even have a place to lay his head. Even if they had found the necessary money, there was not enough time to go to several villages to buy such a large amount of food -- even bread alone -- and it was already getting dark. Above all, how would they transport that amount of food? A small amount of bread would not be a generous meal which a man like Jesus would offer to his guests. That is why they said to Jesus, That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat? They thought this answer would convince Jesus to take their advice and send the people away.

Jesus knew quite well that they had no food. But he wanted to teach the disciples that those who want to do good to others would need him, for they have nothing to offer in and of themselves. At the same time, Jesus referred to the fact that God uses people to bring about his purposes in the world. He does not distribute his spiritual and earthly gifts directly, nor does he use angels, except occasionally. This law is for the benefit of those who give and those who receive, for it gives a chance for a love relationship to develop between the giver and the recipient. It also gives a chance for the benefactor to practice self-denial in the service of others.

The disciples objected to Christ's order, saying, That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat? Jesus asked: How many loaves do you have? Go and see. By saying this, he reminded them that God works in co-operation with man whenever possible. Jesus did not want to create bread out of nothing, as long as there was something already there. He first used what was already the disciples' hands in order to teach them never to ask from people, nor even from God, what they already have available by God-given means. They have no right to ask for anything else until these means are exhausted. Dependence on others, when we are able to help ourselves, is worthy of rebuke. If we expect God to do whatever we want, we become lazy and over-dependent. It is only when human means fail or end that we should ask for God's intervention.

According to the account of this story in the Gospel of John (chapter 6:1-14), it was Andrew, Christ's first disciple, who noticed a boy among the crowd, having five loaves of bread and two fish. The boy may have been selling food. Andrew spoke to Jesus with some reservation, saying, ...but how far will they go among so many [people]? (John 6:9). Jesus did not respond by saying: Leave it. It is not worth mentioning; neither did he say, Give it to the crowd. Rather, he told them to bring it to him in order to teach them that he is the source of all good things and every blessing. He is the king and rightful owner. Everything we have is his, and he can do anything he wants without objection from anyone.

Because law and order are so important, both in the sacred and secular world, we find Jesus concerned about it. He ordered the people to sit in groups on the green grass. If the food were to be distributed haphazardly, the people would trample on one another, and the strong would overpower the weak. Some would take much, and others would get nothing. But with order, distribution would be fast, adequate, and fair. Just by looking at nature, it becomes obvious that God delights in harmony and order.

Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and thanked God. By so doing, he taught his disciples that every good thing we have, even the food we buy, is a gift from God. We should always give thanks to the generous Giver whenever we eat. We need not only give thanks at mealtimes, but whenever we receive anything good. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

When Jesus thanked God, he blessed the food, broke the loaves and the fish, and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people sitting on the grass. Thus, he taught them to feed others first, and then themselves as is appropriate for all believers.

During the distribution to this large number of people, the miracle of multiplication took place. It is written: He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. The number of pieces that remained was greater than that which was there at first.

Through this impressive miracle that was full of lessons, Jesus taught his followers that he was ready to accept their feeble religious service and simple words, increase their power and influence, and make them many times more effective. He takes what is given to him and multiplies it, and then he returns it much increased. If we devote everything to Jesus -- our souls, bodies, talents, family, knowledge, possessions, time, efforts and all kinds of endeavours -- Jesus will accept and bless them, multiplying their value and usefulness. The greatest encouragement to even the most modest of benefactors comes from his certainty that the one who fed the thousands with very little can also increase his meagre service with overflowing blessings, so that it will do much.

There is another lesson we learn from Christ's interest in the leftovers. He feared that his disciples might make light of what was left, after the great miracle they had seen. He did not want them to think that he who had created enough for this large crowd out of so little would not care about the leftovers on the green grass. Indeed, he cares; one of his laws is: "...so that nothing is lost."

After Jesus fed the multitude, they wanted to crown him king. Jesus' first reaction was to separate his disciples from the enthusiastic crowd. He made them get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the lake, so as to give himself a chance to dismiss the people. It was not easy for them to leave their master in the midst of his great success and growing popularity. It had become clear to them that the door to worldly greatness and wealth was being opened to them. Jesus sent them away abruptly, for they had failed to understand his way of thinking. But we find him following up his abruptness with kindness, for it is mentioned that he bade them farewell. Though he would only be away from them a few hours, he parted from them warmly, showing his affection for them.

The second thing Jesus did was to send the crowd away, and the third was to go off alone to pray. His growing popularity, with the crowds, reminds us of Satan's tempting him in the wilderness two years earlier. Satan promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Jesus was now facing the same temptation. This situation required personal prayer to the Father in order to avert this new danger. That is why he went up the hill alone. When the people saw that Jesus did not return home with his disciples, they did not return to the far places from which they had come. They expected to see him at the same place the next day.

Jesus went off alone to a hill to pray as he had often done. But this time, after feeding the five thousand he had many reasons to do so. Among them was the Baptist's death. Other reasons for his departure were: the crowds' misguided belief in his earthly political kingdom, the disciples' approval of such a misconception, and his very own foreknowledge that most of those who pretended to be with him would, in the end, desert him.

It seems that the later events in the life of Christ made the Jewish elders in Jerusalem eager to see him. They expected him to attend the Passover celebrations, and they hoped to find some fault in him to prosecute him and have him executed. But Jesus did not attend the feast. Disappointed, they sent some of their men to keep an eye on him, hoping that they could at least turn the crowd against him, his words, or his deeds.

But it was impossible to accuse Jesus of the least violation of God's laws. There was no way to attain their goal except through their extra laws which had evolved by the teachers of the Law. These were called the "traditions of the elders".

Mosaic Law was rigid on hygienic, moral, and spiritual cleanliness to show the importance of internal purity of the heart. In order to instruct people not to defile the soul with sin, Mosaic Law taught that lack of external cleanliness leads to internal defilement. As a result of this, the Jews, God's special people, separated themselves from the Gentiles around them. God wanted to keep them from acquiring the lifestyles and vain faith of the surrounding heathen peoples.

The Jewish elders, concerned more with the letter of the Law than its spirit, made the laws of cleanliness a heavy burden. They added many small rules to the Law of Moses. The famous Rabbi, Jose, said that eating with unwashed hands was a sin equal to adultery. The Jewish elders also taught that whoever commits this sin would be under the spell of a demon called "Sheta", while sleeping at night. It is said that when the famous Rabbi, Achiba, was in jail, he was given just enough water for drinking and ceremonial washings. One day, the jailer did not bring him the necessary amount of water. Achiba was angry and decided to stop drinking and performing his ceremonial washings, saying, I prefer to die rather than break my ancestors' rituals. The elders of the Jews insisted that washings should be on time, even if it took one and a half hours to draw the necessary water.

It was impossible for Jesus, as a reformer and teacher, to go along with these absurdities. His sensitivity would not allow him to approve of the heavy guilt the Jews placed on those who neglected the prescribed ceremonial cleansings. When Jesus refused to submit to these human precepts, his disciples did the same. The observers, who came from Jerusalem to watch him, noticed this violation and took advantage of it. They wanted to rebuke him publicly. For the sole purpose of criticising him, they asked him why his disciples did not follow the traditions of the elders. Jesus knew their malicious intentions and called them hypocrites.

Jesus did not strike at any particular kind of evil in the way that he lashed out at hypocrisy. He reserved his fiercest reproofs for hypocrites. How the world needs reformers to follow Christ's example in fighting this heinous sin! It also needs earnest men to expel this evil from religious circles, so that both the outer appearance and inner disposition of believers may be in harmony. Religion would then take on a new appearance, and God, whose name is "Truth", would be glorified.

We rarely find sarcasm in Christ's words. However, on this occasion, the Gospel according to Mark records that he said something to the Jewish elders that was quite ironic: You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (Mark 7:9). He reminded them of their sticking to trivial points, while ignoring great ones. In Matthew 23:23,24, he said, You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy and faithfulness.... You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! Jesus' disciples saw the ceremonial washings as "gnats" while the elders of the Jews saw them as "camels". It should have been the other way around. The elders of the Jews were trying to take a speck out of the disciples' eyes but did not notice the plank in their own (Matthew 7:3,4).

Though the disciples followed Christ's example in neglecting these imposed cleansings, they did not understand the underlying principles. They asked him if he knew that the Pharisees were offended when he rebuked them. When they left the crowd and came into the house, they asked him to explain to them what he had said. He answered: Are you still so dull? ... Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'

Jesus came to save the whole world. As he rendered his service to the Jews, he also served the Gentiles. He went into Phoenician territory with many objectives in mind. By moving into heathen areas, he gave himself and his disciples an opportunity to get some rest, physically and mentally. People there did not flock to him, for he was relatively unknown in those districts. He also found enough time to teach his disciples, in preparation for leaving them. By seeing new countries, the disciples' minds and horizons were broadened and they began to be ready for the Great Commission: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). They would also see, in this journey, a new witness to the truthfulness of his words when he said, ...many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11). He wanted to teach them that salvation is not inherited, but attained only by personal faith in him. That is why he went with them to Tyre and Sidon, the best and most famous Phoenician cities.

Jesus entered a house there. Although he did not want anyone to know, he found it impossible to keep it a secret. How could the fragrance of his person stay hidden? News about his love and power had already reached those areas because some of the Phoenicians had gone to him in Capernaum.

It was impossible that such a traveller, as he, would enter a village with his disciples, without being noticed. A woman in great distress heard about him. She had a daughter who was demon possessed.