Jesus rebukes the sea

In the boat one evening, Jesus told his disciples “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.”

Shortly afterwards, a dangerous storm came up. The storm was so violent that the disciples were afraid that the boat was going to be swamped by the waves and they were going to drown. When they went to get Jesus they found him sleeping on the cushions in the back of the boat.

His disciples woke him, saying “Master, we’re going to die!”

He said to them, “Why do you have so little faith?”

Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, saying “Silence! Be still!” Everything suddenly went calm. His disciples were amazed and asked each other “Who is this that even the winds and the waves obey him?”

MT 8:23-27, MK 4:35-41, LK 8:22-26

Demons driven out into pigs

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As soon as He got out of the boat a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met Him. He had lived in the tombs for a long time. He wore no clothes and would not stay in a house. He was so violent that no one could pass that way. Many times the demons had seized him, and although he was guarded and bound by chains and shackles he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demons into deserted places. All night and day he was crying out in the tombs and in the mountains, cutting himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance he ran and knelt down before Him. Suddenly he shouted “What do you have to do with me, Son of God? I beg you, don’t torment me.” He said this because Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of him.

“What is your name?” Jesus asked the spirit.

He answered, “My name is Legion, because we are many.” The spirit begged Jesus not to send him out of the region and asked to be driven into the nearby large herd of pigs instead.

Jesus said “Go!”

Suddenly, 2000 of the herd rushed down the steep bank of the hillside and into the sea and drowned. The men who attended the pigs ran away to the city and told everyone there what had happened. All the people then came to see. When they came, they saw Jesus and the man who had been possessed by the demon. The man was sitting there, dressed and in his right mind. The people were afraid, and asked Him to leave the area. The man who had been possessed kept begging Jesus to let him follow Him.

Jesus refused and said “Go back to your home and your people and tell them all that the Lord has done for you and has had mercy on you.” So he went and began to proclaim how much Jesus had done for him and they were all amazed.

MT 8:28-34, MK 5:1-20, LK 8:26-39

A girl raised from the dead and a woman healed from bleeding

A synagogue leader named Jairus fell down on his knees at Jesus’ feet, begging him to heal his child. His only child, a 12 year old daughter, was near death. He pleaded with Jesus to come to his house and lay his hands on her so she would live. Immediately Jesus and his disciples followed him to his home.

While they were on their way, a crowd of people surrounded Jesus, almost crushing him. In the crowd was a woman who had suffered from menstrual bleeding for 12 years. She had given all of her money to doctors for a cure, and not only had they not healed her, she had gotten worse. Approaching Jesus from behind, she touched the corner of his robe where his tzitzit were attached, thinking just doing that would be enough to heal her. As soon as she touched his robe she could tell that she was completely healed.

Immediately Jesus felt power leave him, and he began to look around him, asking “Who touched me?” His disciples looked at him in amazement. They wondered how they could possibly know who it was, as the crowd was very large and dense. Since her plan to do this secretly was foiled, the woman threw herself at Jesus’ feet and confessed that she was the one who had touched him, and why. He looked at her and said “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Just then, a messenger from Jairus’ house came to say to him “Don’t bother the Teacher anymore – your daughter is dead.” When Jesus heard this he said “Don’t be afraid – just believe, and she will be healed.”

When Jesus got to the house, he saw a crowd of mourners had already arrived, making a lot of noise with their wails of grief. He said “Why are you going on like this? She isn’t dead. She’s just sleeping.” The crowd began to laugh at him.

Jesus got the crowd to leave the house. Going inside with just Peter, James, John, and the girl’s parents, he went up to the girl, and taking her by the hand, he said “Talitha koum!” (Which means, “Little girl, get up!”) Immediately her soul returned to her and she began to walk. Jesus told them to get her something to eat, and strongly told those present to not tell anyone about this.

MT 9:18-26, MK 5:21-43, LK 8:40-56

Restoring sight to two blind men

Two blind men followed Jesus as he was leaving Jairus’ home. They shouted at him – “Have mercy on us, Son of King David!”

They followed him into the house where he was staying. Jesus asked them “Do you believe that I can heal your blindness?”

They answered “Yes, Lord.”

Touching their eyes, he said “Because of your faith it will happen.” Immediately they could see. Jesus gave them strict instructions to not tell, but instead they told everyone they met about how he had healed them.

MT 9:27-31

Jesus sends out the disciples

Jesus wanted the disciples to only go to fellow Israelites. He instructed them not to go to other nations, especially any associated with Samaria.

MT 10:5-6

He told them “Announce that the kingdom of heaven is near.” Sending them out in pairs, he instructed them to “Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, and cast out demons. Bring nothing for your journey; not a walking stick, a travel bag, food, money, or even extra clothing. Stay in the first house that welcomes you during the entire time you are in that town, eating and drinking what is offered to you, because a worker deserves his pay.”

When entering a house, he instructed them to “Say ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, then your blessing will stay with those who live in that house. Otherwise, your blessing will return to you. If the town does not welcome you and your words, then you are to shake the dust off your feet as you leave. When judgment day comes it will be easier on Sodom and Gomorrah that it will be for any town that did not show hospitality to you.”

The disciples went and did as he said, spreading the good news, preaching, and healing everywhere they went.

MT 10:7-15, MK 6:6b-13, LK 9:1-6, LK 10:1, 4-12

Jesus said “I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Because of that, be as clever as snakes and as peaceful as doves.”

MT 10:16, LK 10:3

A student is not above his teacher

“When they harass you in one town, escape to the next. Mark my words – you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes again.

A student is not above his teacher, or a servant above his master. Likewise, a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. It is enough for a student to become like his teacher and a servant like his master. Every student who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Students and teachers, like servants and masters, share the same fate. Since they have accused me of being Satan, they will certainly accuse you of the same!”

MT 10:23-25, LK 6:40, JN 13:16

Don’t be afraid

“My friends – don’t be afraid of those who can kill the body, because that’s all they can do. They are not able to kill the soul. If you have to be afraid, fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell after you die.

There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be revealed. Whatever you have heard in the dark you should speak in the light, and whatever you have heard whispered in your ear you should shout from the rooftops.

Aren’t sparrows sold for a penny? Yet God notices if even one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs of your head are counted. Therefore, don’t be afraid – you are worth more than many sparrows.”

MT 10:26-31, LK 12:2-3

The beheading of John the Baptist

King Herod heard about everything that Jesus was doing. His name had become well known because of all the miracles and healings that he performed. He was perplexed and thought that Jesus must be John the Baptist raised from the dead, because he was able to do supernatural things. Others thought that he was Elijah, and others thought that he was one of the ancient prophets come back from the dead. Herod said “I beheaded John, so who is this I’m hearing stories about?” He wanted to see Jesus for himself.

MT 14:1-2, MK 6:14-16, LK 9:7-9

Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested and put in chains in prison, on account of the fact that he had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. John had told him that it was not lawful for him to be married to his brother’s wife.

Herodias had a grudge against John because of this and wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t because Herod was afraid of the crowd. They thought that John was an upright and godly man as well as a prophet. Herod was disturbed every time he heard what John had to say, yet he still liked to listen to him.

Herodias found an opportunity to get what she wanted at Herod’s birthday party when he gave a large banquet for all the important people in Galilee. Her daughter pleased everyone at the party with her dancing. Because of this, Herod made an oath in front of everyone that he would give her anything she asked for, even up to half his kingdom.

She asked her mother what she should request and she replied “John the Baptist’s head!” So Herodias’ daughter asked to be given John the Baptist’s head on a platter right away.

Herod was full of regret, but because of the oath he made in front of important guests he sent orders for John to be beheaded. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who then carried it to her mother.

When John’s disciples received the news, they removed the body, placed it in a tomb, and then went to tell Jesus what had happened.

MT 14:3-12, MK 6:17-29