When Jesus learned
what had happened, He got on a boat and went away to spend some time in a
private place. The crowds, of course, followed Jesus on foot from their
cities. 14 Though Jesus wanted solitude, when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, and He healed the sick and the lame. 15 At evening-time, Jesus’ disciples came to Him. Disciples: We’re in a fairly remote place, and it is getting late; the crowds will get hungry for supper. Send them away so they have time to get back to the villages and get something to eat. Jesus: 16 They don’t need to go back to the villages in order to eat supper. Give them something to eat here. Disciples: 17 But we don’t have enough food. We only have five rounds of flatbread and two fish. Jesus: 18 Bring the bread and the fish to Me. So the disciples brought Him the five rounds of flatbread and the two fish, 19 and Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the bread and the fish, He looked up to heaven, He gave thanks, and then He broke the bread. Jesus gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples gave the bread to the people; 20 everyone ate and was satisfied. When everyone had eaten, the disciples picked up 12 baskets of crusts and broken pieces of bread and crumbs. 21 There were 5,000 men there, not to mention all the women and children. 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on to the other side of the sea while He dismissed the crowd. 23 Then, after the crowd had gone, Jesus went up to a mountaintop alone (as He had intended from the start). As evening descended, He stood alone on the mountain, praying. In the midst of the burdens of life and ministry, like when news of John’s death reaches Him, Jesus seeks refreshment in solitary prayer. 24 The boat was in the water, some distance from land, buffeted and pushed around by waves and wind. 25 Deep in the night, when He had concluded His prayers, Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples in their boat. 26 The disciples saw a figure moving toward them and were terrified. Disciple: It’s a ghost! Another Disciple: A ghost? What will we do? Jesus: 27 Be still. It is I. You have nothing to fear. Peter: 28 Lord, if it is really You, then command me to meet You on the water. Jesus: 29 Indeed, come. Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water and began walking toward Jesus. 30 But when he remembered how strong the wind was, his courage caught in his throat and he began to sink. Peter: Master, save me! 31 Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him. Jesus: O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following Me and heeding fear? 32 Then Jesus and Peter climbed in the boat together, and the wind became still. 33 And the disciples worshiped Him. Disciples: Truly You are the Son of God. 34 All together, Jesus and the disciples crossed to the other side of the sea. They landed at Gennesaret, an area famous for its princely gardens. 35 The people of Gennesaret recognized Jesus, and they spread word of His arrival all over the countryside. People brought the sick and wounded to Him 36 and begged Him for permission to touch the fringes of His robe. Everyone who touched Him was healed. |
Daily Prayer > New Testament >
