After months of ministry in the area of Galilee, Jesus and His disciples once again made the trip to Jerusalem for one of the annual feasts. As was typical in Jesus’s very unique ministry, along with regularly teaching in the temple complex, He also healed some who were sick and occasionally cast out demons. During His first year of ministry, Jesus had been cautious about revealing who He actually was to the world. He seemed to be performing His miracles somewhat discretely, much to the confusion and annoyance of His disciples. But with this trip to Jerusalem, although Jesus began to change His strategy, it wasn’t in a way that fit into His disciples’ expectations. Once again their faith in their Master was going to be challenged. On the Sabbath day of the feast, after spending His usual ... Read More about 12 – Healing at Bethesda and its Repercussions
11 – The Challenge to Deeper Faith
After spending two days teaching the people of Sychar in Samaria, Jesus gave the word, and much to Judas’s relief, they headed north toward Galilee. As they walked, the disciples talked among themselves. “Can someone please explain to me why we left Judea in the first place? We had a lot of people coming to us down there.” “Philip!” James called in an exasperated tone. “That’s a reasonable question!” Philip shot back defensively. “I don’t mind going back home to Galilee, but why now when we had such a good thing going?” “I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Judas growled under his breath. “Okay, listen,” Rock said. “Until the Teacher tells us, we won’t know why we’re doing this. I just know that wherever He goes, I’m going, and I think all of you feel the same. Actually this could work ... Read More about 11 – The Challenge to Deeper Faith
10 – The Taste of Living Water
“Teacher?” Jesus turned to face his disciple. “Yes, Andrew?” “I want you to meet Eliezer and his group of companions. John the Baptizer sent them.” “You are welcome, friends,” Jesus said with a smile. “Hello, Teacher,” Eliezer returned humbly. He quickly looked at the others with him, who each gave him a nod of encouragement. “We are here to become your disciples, if you will have us.” “Of course,” Jesus answered, looking at each of them. “It’s good to have you with us. There is much to do.” “Oh, we are aware of that,” Eliezer returned eagerly. “One of the Pharisees confronted us the other day and mentioned that you are baptizing a lot more people than John.” “Actually, we’re the ones doing the baptizing,” Rock, who was standing nearby, said, “not the Teacher.” “I don’t think it ... Read More about 10 – The Taste of Living Water
9 – The Law of Increase and Decrease
After the Passover Jesus decided to remain in Judea with His disciples, making camp beside the Jordan River. As more and more people sought out the miracle-working teacher, large crowds were a regular occurrence. Many in the daily audiences were moved to repent of their selfish lives and lukewarm or nonexistent religion. These Jesus sent to His disciples, who were standing in the Jordan waiting to baptize those who came. About twenty miles north at Aenon, near Salim, John the Baptizer was preaching to those who came to him and was baptizing whoever was moved by God’s words. “Hey, you!” the words were said by a Pharisee standing at the edge of the crowd along the banks of the Jordan. The people were watching the steady stream of people wading out to the Baptizer to commit their lives to ... Read More about 9 – The Law of Increase and Decrease
8 – Winds of Change
“Now this was an exciting day!” John of Bethsaida said to his brother James and to Andrew and Rock, who stood nearby. The sun had set, and they and the rest of the disciples were watching Jesus as he talked with a mother and her child, whose leg injury Jesus had just healed. Jesus and his followers had been in the wide courtyard of the temple for almost six hours. The Teacher had taught a large crowd, mesmerizing them with His stories about the kingdom of God. Then to everyone’s surprise, He invited all who wished to be healed to come forward. It was amazing how many aches, pains, and sicknesses there were in the crowd. The most impressive healing was the workman who had lost three of his fingers several years ago. Jesus talked to him for a few minutes, then asked him to stretch out ... Read More about 8 – Winds of Change
7 – Holy Temples of God
When the wedding celebration in Cana came to an end, Jesus decided to go down to Capernaum rather than back to Nazareth. After witnessing the miracle, the disciples were so excited that they would have followed Jesus anywhere. Even Mary was so enthusiastic about her Son’s work that she also followed Him to Capernaum. The brothers of Jesus, since they had not yet come to faith in Him, were not enthusiastic about their brother’s work, but they were curious, and deciding not let their mother travel so far without escorting her, off they went. Jesus remained in northern Galilee for several days, teaching, performing miraculous healings, and meeting the friends and family members of His disciples who were from there. It was spring, and there was a restless energy in the air. No one had their ... Read More about 7 – Holy Temples of God