When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then He took them with Him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to Him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish-unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About 5,000 men were there.)

But He said to His disciples, “Have they sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

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The disciples tried to tell Jesus what to do…and He quickly reminded them of who He was. How many times do we find ourself trying to tell God what to do and how it should be? We tell Him a situation would be better if this happened. We tell Him if He would just do this we would be more faithful. We tell God…the Creator of the world who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and Holy what we who do not know all things, are only given power through Jesus, and blend in the world most days…think should happen. Do you see the problem there? Today, let’s stop talking and start listening. Let God remind us today of who He is.

When Jesus has called the twelve together, He have them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of Hod and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey-no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news, and healing people everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see Him.

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Shake the dust off. Jesus speaks to the fact that not everyone will listen. Sometimes we may get frustrated when it seems like someone just will not listen or have anything to do with Jesus. Sometimes we need to shake the dust off and move on. Not forever. We can still be a testimony to those people through how we live. But sometimes we may have to wait for God to open the door for us again. God is always working on their heart. We just have to be ready and willing for when the opportunity presents itself to proclaim good news. Who is someone that you need to be praying for? Pray specifically for God to open the door for you to share the gospel with them….pray also that you are wise enough to know it and bold enough to use it.

Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed Him, for they were all expecting Him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with Him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on His way, the crowds almost crushed Him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know power has gone out from me.”

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at His feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched Him and how she had been instantly healed. Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

When He arrived at the house of Jairus, He did not let anyone go in with Him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

They laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead. But He took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to get her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but she ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

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Wow. This is another incredible passage. Something stood out to me though that I feel God wanted me to share. Something that would normally be looked over in a passage like this. Talking about the woman subject to bleeding, God’s word said, “…seeing that she could not go unnoticed…” I feel like there are many who believe they go unnoticed most days. Whether it is at work, home, friends, etc. I believe that there are more than that who believe they go unnoticed by God. This woman had been dealing with this disease…having to stay away from people and do her best to hide what was happening so that she wouldn’t be considered “unclean” and kicked out of town. But even this woman, in the midst of a crushing crowd, couldn’t go unnoticed by Jesus. Today, I want to say He sees you. He knows you He loves you unconditionally. You cannot go unnoticed when it comes to your Father in Heaven. You are important to Him. You were uniquely and wonderfully made in His image. You are a son or daughter of Creator God. Hold on to that truth today. Let it wash over you. You were worth Jesus to God the Father. Don’t ever let the enemy tell you differently.

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at His feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and He gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So He got into the boat and left.

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for Him.

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There is so much here that stood out to me. First, Jesus has such authority over the demons that they couldn’t make any moves without Him saying so. Jesus has been given all authority…and it’s proven here. Secondly, the people missed out on the miracles and healings of Jesus because they gave into fear. How many times have we missed out on Jesus because we leaned more into our fear? And thirdly, Jesus didn’t push the issue when He was asked to leave. He just left. Jesus is not going to push you into a relationship with Him. It is up to us to determine how close we want to be with Him. But His love for us remains strong…just as it did for the people in the Gerasenes. He knew they were pushing Him away, but He set up the man He had healed to be His witness to a lost people. Jesus is incredible. This passage is incredible. Don’t let fear keep you from what Jesus want to do through and for you. And if He doesn’t feel near..:it’s not because He’s not, it’s because we have been running away and pushing away from Him. Just give God praise today…He is so good.

One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let is go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”

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Where is your faith? I can’t help but think of the many times God has tried to to speak that in my life. Where is your faith…moments where I stayed silent when I should’ve spoke; moments of giving in to temptation when I should’ve stayed strong; moments of negativity and bad moods when I should’ve been filled with the Spirit. It bothers me to think that I would even have to be asked that question. What about you? Has God spoke that in your life? Maybe He is right now…where is your faith? Let’s not be caught living without it.

Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were not able to get near Him because of the crowd. Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

He replied, “My mother and brother’s are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

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It’s not just about hearing the word and having knowledge of the word. We have to put it into practice. We have to actually live it out. We have to know His word, and then take what we know and live by it each and every day. It’s our guide for life. It’s our decision maker…our compass…our textbook. It’s the very word of God…it’s God communicating to you and me today. You want to be considered a brother or sister in the family of God? Hear His word…and then do what it says.

“No one lights a lamp and hides it is a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

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There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed. Those deep dark secrets that no one else knows about…those thoughts that you keep to yourself…those words you speak under your breath…God sees it all. Yeah, maybe your spouse, boss, or preacher won’t find out, but God already knows. There is nothing hidden from Him. Our whole life is on display for Him. So…consider your actions, thoughts, and words done in secret. Remember, as hidden as you might think they are…they’re not.

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own meals.

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When He said this, He called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

His disciples asked Him what the parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

“though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.”

Isaiah 6:9

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

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Where are you in this parable? Which category of receiving the word of God do you fall into? It varies for each of us. And honestly, some of us have been in multiple spots. Bottom line, those who hear the word and receive it are those who produce. What is your life producing? Is it producing a crop for the kingdom of God? If not…maybe it’s time to be truthful with yourself and realize you may fall in a different category. And if so…it’s ok. God’s Grace is sufficient…we have a new opportunity today to change our spot in this story. Receive the word of God today…begin producing a crop for the kingdom of God.

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, He went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who has invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner.”

Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wept my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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This passage has wrecked me. I know the amount that I have been forgiven. I know my flaws and my failures…and yet I know that they don’t always live and act as though I love God. In fact, there are probably some who would not even label that as a character trait of mine. So what do I do with this? I seek His forgiveness again…remember, even the Pharisee Jesus said could be forgiven. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done, or said, or thought…you can be forgiven. But it takes a genuine faith in God. It’s that belief that brings conviction which leads to repentance, which leads to a heart change and an obedience to His word. Hang in there…we all have sinned and fallen short…seek His grace today.

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

At that very time Jesus healed many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So He replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the dead hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom is is written:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”

Malachi 3:1

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

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What I would like to point out about this passage is the fact that the people believed because they had been baptized by John. The religious leaders rejected it because they had not. I think it’s important to understand that for heart change to occur, there has to be genuine repentance…which was the message John preached. We can go through the motions and act knowledgeable of scripture and tradition as the religious leaders, and have nothing to stand on if we aren’t repentant. To repent is to understand to the consequences of our sins, and want to turn from our sinful life to a life that is lead by Christ and not our own flesh. Repent…for the kingdom of God is near.