good word usa

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Hometown Rejects Jesus

He left the area and went to the town where He had grown up.  And His disciples went along with Him.  When the Sabbath arrived, He began teaching in the synagogue.  And many who heard Him were surprised, saying, “Where did He learn these things?”

“What kind of wisdom has been given Him that His hands can do such powerful things?”

“Isn’t this the carpenter?” 

“Mary’s son!”

“And the brother of James and Joseph, Jude and Simon!”

“And aren’t His sisters here with us?”  So the people resented Him.

But Jesus told them, “A prophet is not without honor — except in His own town, and among His own relatives, and His own household.”

And He could do no miraculous work there, nothing but lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And He was amazed at their unbelief.

Then He traveled around in a circuit through the villages teaching. 

And calling  the twelve to His side, He began sending them out, two by two.  And He gave them authority over unclean spirits, and commanded them to take nothing on the road, except a walking stick only.  No luggage, no bread, no money in their belt.  They were only to take the sandals on their feet, and wear only one tunic.

He said to them, “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area.  And if anyone will not accept you or listen to you, then as you leave that place, shake off the dust from under your feet, as a testimony to them.  I tell you the truth, it will be better for Sodom or Gomorrah on judgment day, than for that city.” 

And going out, they preached that everyone should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil, and healed them. 

John the Baptist Murdered

Then King Herod heard of Jesus, because His Name had become widely known.  Now some were saying that John the Baptizer had been raised from the dead, and that this was why He was able to work miracles.  Others said that He was Elijah.  And others said that He was a prophet, or that He was like one of the prophets.  But when Herod heard of Jesus, he said, “John [the Baptist], whom I beheaded.  That’s who He is.  He’s come back from the dead!”

For Herod himself had given the order to arrest John the Baptist, and had him locked up in prison.  He did this because he had married Herodias (his brother, Philip’s wife).  And John had told Herod, “It isn’t lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”

Now Herodias held this against John.  She wanted to kill him, but couldn’t because Herod was afraid of John.  He knew he was a righteous and holy man, so he protected him.  Listening to John confused Herod, but he gladly heard him.

But a convenient day arrived when Herod, on his birthday, held a banquet for his nobles and commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.  Herodias’ own daughter came in and danced, and she delighted Herod and those who dined with him.

The king said to the young girl, “Whatever you want, ask me, and I’ll give it to you.  He even swore an oath to her, “I will grant to you whatever you may ask of me — up to half my kingdom.”

So she went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?”  And Herodias said, “Ask for the head of John the Baptizer.” 

Then running quickly to the king, the girl made her request, saying, “I want you to give me, at once, the head of John the Baptizer — on a plate!” 

Then the king became very upset.  But because of his promises, and his guests, he would not refuse her.  So the king immediately sent one of the palace guards, ordering John’s head to be brought.  He went and beheaded John in the prison, and brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young girl.  And the girl gave it to her mother.  When John’s disciples heard of it, they went and collected his body, and buried him in a tomb.

Jesus Feeds Large Crowd

Now the apostles had all returned to Jesus.  And they brought Him news of everything, what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a quiet place, and rest awhile.”  For there were so many people coming and going, the disciples didn’t even have a chance to eat.  So they left in a boat, going to an isolated place, away from the crowds.

But the crowds saw them leaving, and many recognized Him. And people from all the towns joined in running ahead of them, and gathered to be near Him.  When He got out of the boat, Jesus saw a huge multitude of people, and He had compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So He began teaching them many things.

When it was late in the day, His disciples came to Him, saying, “We’re in the middle of nowhere, and it’s getting late.  Send the people away, so they can go around to the farms and villages and buy bread for themselves.  For they have nothing to eat.”

But His answer was, “You give them something to eat.”

Then they asked Him, “Should we go spend two hundred denarii [well over $13,000] on bread to feed them?”

But He said, “How many flat loaves do you have?  Go and see.”

When they knew they said, “Five.  And two fish.”

Then He ordered all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass.  And they sat down in divisions of either a hundred or of fifty.  Taking the five flat loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up into the sky and blessed the bread.  Then He broke it, giving it to His disciples, and they served it to the people.  He also divided up the two fish for everyone.  And everyone ate, and was satisfied.  Afterward, they gathered up the leftover bread and fish, filling twelve baskets.  Yet about five thousand men had eaten from the bread.

Then He immediately ordered His disciples into the boat, and made them go on ahead to the opposite shore, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.  And leaving the people, He went to the mountain to pray.

 Streets Packed to Touch Jesus

When evening fell, the boat was out in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.  And He saw the disciples fighting the oars, because the wind was pushing against them.

Then about the fourth watch of the night [between 3am and 6 am], He came near them, walking on the water.  And He was going to pass by them but when they saw Him walking on top of the sea, they thought He was a ghost, and they cried out.  They all saw Him, and they were terrified.

He spoke up immediately, saying, “It’s alright!  It’s Me.  Don’t be afraid.” 

Then He walked over to them and got into the boat.  And the wind stopped blowing.  The disciples were overwhelmed with astonishment and wonder, for they had not recognized the miracle of the bread, because their hearts were callused.

Crossing the sea, they reached land at Gennesaret, and drew to shore.  As they were getting out of the boat, the people recognized Jesus right away.  And they started running all over; carrying the sick around on stretchers to the places they were told He was.  So everywhere He went in the villages, or towns, or the open fields, or in the markets, they placed the sick, and asked Him to allow them to just touch the fringes of His robe.  And all who touched Him were healed.