Jesus Feeds More Than Five Thousand-Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14 13 When Yeshua heard about John, he left in a boat and went to a place where he could be alone. The crowds heard about this and followed him on foot from the cities. 14 When Yeshua got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He felt sorry for them and cured their sick people.

15 In the evening the disciples came to him. They said, "No one lives around here, and it's already late. Send the crowds to the villages to buy food for themselves."

16 Yeshua said to them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat."

17 They told him, 'All we have here are five loaves of bread and two fish."

18 Yeshua said, "Bring them to me."

19 Then he ordered the people to sit down on the grass. After he took the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He broke the loaves apart, gave them to the disciples, and they gave them to the people. 20 All of them ate as much as they wanted. When they picked up the leftover pieces, they filled twelve baskets.

21 About five thousand men had eaten. (This number does not include the women and children who had eaten.) Jesus Walks on the Sea-Mark 6:45-56; John 6:15-21 22 Yeshua quickly made his disciples get into a boat and cross to the other side ahead of him while he sent the people away. 23 After sending the people away, he went up a mountain to pray by himself. When evening came, he was there alone.

24 The boat, now hundreds of yards from shore, was being thrown around by the waves because it was going against the wind.

25 Between three and six o'clock in the morning, he came to them. He was walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. They said, "It's a ghost!" and began to scream because they were afraid.

27 Immediately, Yeshua said, "Calm down! It's me. Don't be afraid!"

28 Peter answered, "Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water."

29 Yeshua said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. 30 But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, "Lord, save me!"

31 Immediately, Yeshua reached out, caught hold of him, and said, "You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?"

32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. 33 The men in the boat bowed down in front of Yeshua and said, "You are truly the Son of God."

34 They crossed the sea and landed at Gennesaret. 35 The men there recognized Yeshua and sent messengers all around the countryside. The people brought him everyone who was sick. 36 They begged him to let them touch just the edge of his clothes. Everyone who touched his clothes was made well.

Jesus Challenges the Pharisees' Traditions-Mark 7:1-23 15 1 Then some Pharisees and experts in Moses' Teachings came from Jerusalem to Yeshua. They asked, 2 "Why do your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? They do not wash their hands before they eat."

3 He answered them, "Why do you break the commandment of God because of your traditions? 4 For example, God said, 'Honor your father and your mother' and 'Whoever curses father or mother must be put to death.' 5 But you say that whoever tells his father or mother, 'I have given to God whatever support you might have received from me,' 6 does not have to honor his father. Because of your traditions you have destroyed the authority of God's word. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

9 Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.'"

10 Then he called the crowd and said to them, "Listen and try to understand! 11 What goes into a person's mouth doesn't make him unclean.a It's what comes out of the mouth that makes a person unclean."

12 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you realize that when the Pharisees heard your statement they were offended?"

13 He answered, "Any plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone! They are blind leaders. When one blind person leads another, both will fall into the same pit."

15 Peter said to him, "Explain this illustration to us."

16 Yeshua said, "Don't you understand yet? 17 Don't you know that whatever goes into the mouth goes into the stomach and then into a toilet? 18 But whatever goes out of the mouth comes from within, and that's what makes a person unclean. 19 Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, other sexual sins, stealing, lying, and cursing come from within. 20 These are the things that make a person unclean. But eating without washing one's hands doesn't make a person unclean."

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman-Mark 7:24-30 21 Yeshua left that place and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Canaanite woman from that territory came to him and began to shout, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon."

23 But he did not answer her at all. Then his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away. She keeps shouting behind us."

24 Yeshua responded, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel."

25 She came to him, bowed down, and said, "Lord, help me!"

26 Yeshua replied, "It's not right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."

27 She said, "You're right, Lord. But even the dogs eat scraps that fall from their masters' tables."

28 Then Yeshua answered her, "Woman, you have strong faith! What you wanted will be done for you." At that moment her daughter was cured.

29 Yeshua moved on from there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up a mountain and sat there.

30 A large crowd came to him, bringing with them the lame, blind, disabled, those unable to talk, and many others. They laid them at his feet, and he cured them. 31 The crowd was amazed to see mute people talking, the disabled cured, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. So they praised the God of Israel.

Jesus Feeds More Than Four Thousand-Mark 8:1-10 32 Yeshua called his disciples and said, "I feel sorry for the people. They have been with me three days now and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, or they may become exhausted on their way home."

33 His disciples asked him, "Where could we get enough bread to feed such a crowd in this place where no one lives?"

34 Yeshua asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" They answered, "Seven, and a few small fish."

35 He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks to God. Then he broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, and they gave the bread and fish to the people.

37 All of them ate as much as they wanted. The disciples picked up the leftover pieces and filled seven large baskets. 38 Four thousand men had eaten. (This number does not include the women and children who had eaten.) 39 After he sent the people on their way, Yeshua stepped into the boat and came to the territory of Magadan.

The Pharisees Ask for a Sign from Heaven-Mark 8:11-13a 16 1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Yeshua. So they asked him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven.

2 He responded to them, "In the evening you say that the weather will be fine because the sky is red. 3 And in the morning you say that there will be a storm today because the sky is red and overcast. You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

4 "Evil and unfaithful people look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will be given is that of Jonah."

Then he left them standing there and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees-Mark 8:13b-21 5 The disciples had forgotten to take any bread along when they went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

6 Yeshua said to them, "Be careful! Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

7 The disciples had been discussing among themselves that they had not taken any bread along.

8 Yeshua knew about their conversation and asked, "Why are you discussing among yourselves that you don't have any bread? You have so little faith! 9 Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you filled? 10 Don't you remember the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many large baskets you filled? 11 Why don't you understand that I wasn't talking to you about bread? Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

12 Then they understood that he didn't say to watch out for the yeast in bread, but to watch out for the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter Declares His Belief about Jesus-Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21 13 When Yeshua came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14 They answered, "Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 He asked them, "But who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

17 Yeshua replied, "Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! No human revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven revealed it to you. 18 You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rocka I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And whatever you set free, God will set free."

20 Then he strictly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Foretells That He Will Die and Come Back to Life-Mark 8:31-33; Luke 9:22 21 From that time on Yeshua began to inform his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem. There he would have to suffer a lot because of the leaders, the chief priests, and the experts in Moses' Teachings. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be brought back to life.

22 Peter took him aside and objected to this. He said, "Heaven forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you!"

23 But Yeshua turned and said to Peter, "Get out of my way, Satan! You are tempting me to sin. You aren't thinking the way God thinks but the way humans think."

What It Means to Follow Jesus-Mark 8:34-9:1; Luke 9:23-27 24 Then Yeshua said to his disciples, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. 25 Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them. 26 What good will it do for people to win the whole world and lose their lives? Or what will a person give in exchange for life? 27 The Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory. Then he will pay back each person based on what that person has done. 28 I can guarantee this truth: Some people who are standing here will not die until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

SON OF GOD.

Though the phrase "sons of God" was occasionally used in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Greek phrase "Son of God," Huios tou Theou, belongs to Jesus in a unique way. Jesus himself indicates that he and the Father are one. Though charged with blasphemy and crucified for claiming to be one with the Father, Jesus' resurrection validates his claim to be God's Son in a unique way.

But Jesus is God's Son not in the sense that most Westerners think of sonship, as though the Father existed before the Son did. Instead, Jesus is God's Son in the sense that he shares God's nature and represents his intentions. He is fully divine and therefore perfectly capable of representing the Father on earth. Twice in the Gospels-at Jesus' baptism and at the transfiguration-a voice from heaven announced: "This is my Son, whom I love" (Matthew 3:17). During Jesus' earthly ministry, even the demons recognized Christ as the "Son of God" (Matthew 8:29). It was this politically charged title that led to Jesus' death, which may be why he avoided it until the end of his life.

Recognizing this as a primary title of Christ, the early church baptized those who confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of God. These early believers understood, as we do, that our relationship with Christ enables us to become adopted children of the Father.

Praying to the Son of God I have a friend named Kathy whose mother is ninety-three and still going strong. Over the Christmas holidays, the two were planning to spend time together. But they hadn't agreed on when exactly Kathy would stop by. When she did arrive, late in the afternoon, her mother lit into her, saying, "lt's about time you got here!" Instead of protesting, reminding her mother that they hadn't agreed on a particular time, my friend took stock of the situation, realized how much her mother had been looking forward to her visit, and simply said, "I'm sorry, Mom. I should have been here sooner." Her answer struck me as both humble and gracious, the response of a perfect daughter.

We know that we have a solemn responsibility to honor our parents, perhaps especially when they are infirm. But they are not the only parents we should strive to please. Because of our relationship with Jesus, we have become God's children. To say this is not to invoke a metaphor but to declare a spiritual reality. But how do we live out our new identity as children of the Father? What exactly are our responsibilities? Perhaps we should begin by looking at the ideal child. That, of course, would be Jesus, whom the Father delighted in, calling him his "beloved Son." Let's listen to the advice our Eldest Brother gives us: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:44-45) If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14) Be merciful as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36) Over and over, the advice that Jesus gives is that we are to emulate the Father, growing up into his likeness. There is to be a family resemblance. I believe that my friend, Kathy, was emulating the Father when she responded to her elderly mother with so much grace. But how are we to know what pleases God unless we know who the Father is? Once again, our Eldest Brother instructs us: The person who has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9) By learning about Jesus, by letting the Son of God instruct us, we, too, will become children in whom the Father can delight.

Father, thank you for making me your child. Help me to be confident of your love, despite my failings, so confident that I keep trying to be like you and like Jesus, your Son, who is my Lord and Savior.

Promises Associated with the Name SON OF GOD.

The Lord Almighty says, "I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters." (2 Corinthians 6:18) But when the right time came, God sent his Son into the world. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of the laws given to Moses.

God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children. Because you are God's children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call out, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer slaves but God's children. Since you are God's children, God has also made you heirs. (Galatians 4:4-7)

Moses and Elijah Appear with Jesus-Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36 17 1 After six days Yeshua took Peter, James, and John (the brother of James) and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.

2 Yeshua's appearance changed in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Yeshua.

4 Peter said to Yeshua, "Lord, it's good that we're here. If you want, I'll put up three tents here-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

5 He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them. Then a voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is my Son, whom I love and with whom I am pleased. Listen to him!"

6 The disciples were terrified when they heard this and fell facedown on the ground. 7 But Yeshua touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid!" 8 As they raised their heads, they saw no one but Yeshua.

9 On their way down the mountain, Yeshua ordered them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen. Wait until the Son of Man has been brought back to life."

10 So the disciples asked him, "Why do the experts in Moses' Teachings say that Elijah must come first?"

11 Yeshua answered, "Elijah is coming and will put everything in order again. 12 Actually, I can guarantee that Elijah has already come. Yet, people treated him as they pleased because they didn't recognize him. In the same way they're going to make the Son of Man suffer."

13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking about John the Baptizer.

Jesus Cures a Demon-Possessed Boy-Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43a 14 When they came to a crowd, a man came up to Yeshua, knelt in front of him, 15 and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son. He suffers from seizures. Often he falls into fire or water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't cure him."

17 Yeshua replied, "You unbelieving and corrupt generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me!"

18 Yeshua ordered the demon to come out of the boy. At that moment the boy was cured.

19 Then the disciples came to Yeshua privately and asked, "Why couldn't we force the demon out of the boy?"

20 He told them, "Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."a Jesus Again Foretells That He Will Die and Come Back to Life-Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43b-45 22 While they were traveling together in Galilee, Yeshua told them, "The Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to people. 23 They will kill him, but on the third day he will be brought back to life." Then the disciples became very sad.

Paying the Temple Tax 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter. They asked him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

25 "Certainly," he answered.

Peter went into the house. Before he could speak, Yeshua asked him, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the world collect fees or taxes? Is it from their family members or from other people?"

26 "From other people," Peter answered.

Yeshua said to him, "Then the family members are exempt. 27 However, so that we don't create a scandal, go to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that you catch. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Give that coin to them for you and me."

Greatness in the Kingdom-Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48 18 1 At that time the disciples came to Yeshua and asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 Then he said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.

Causing Others to Lose Faith-Mark 9:42-50; Luke 17:1-4 6 "These little ones believe in me. It would be best for the person who causes one of them to lose faith to be drowned in the sea with a large stone hung around his neck. 7 How horrible it will be for the world because it causes people to lose their faith. Situations that cause people to lose their faith will arise. How horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith!

8 "If your hand or your foot causes you to lose your faith, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life disabled or injured than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into everlasting fire. 9 If your eye causes you to lose your faith, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.