May 3, 2024 • 49 mins
Chapter 10 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by the Gospels.
God or Ghost? - Jesus is rejected in his own city but embraced by the blind, mute, and hurting. The story of Jesus picks up with people desperately seeking him for healing and help, yet in his own country he is rejected and has to flee for his life.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Matthew 14:29, And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And he said come. And when Peter was come down
out of the ship, he walked on the water to
go to Jesus. Matthew fourteen twenty nine. Multiply whatever touches
my hand, Lord, as I give to serve the lives
of others, like the little boy in Matthew fourteen and
(00:23):
John six one through ten. I thank you Jesus, because
you can take little in my hand and make it grand.
As I continually step out in faith, meet me at
the place of my obedience. Then take whatever gifting and
ability I have and reproduce it and replicate it in
(00:45):
such a way that thousands and millions of your children
can be blessed. But don't stop with that miracle. As
I continue to listen to your word, allow me to
walk on and over situations in my life that should
cause me to sink. I declare that my focus will
(01:08):
remain steadfast on you, Jesus. I declare that I will
not lose sight of who it is that has called
me out into the deep waters of purpose. I decree
that I am a water walker, filled with the anointing
to multiply everything that touches my life, and I am
(01:30):
not afraid to speak this truth over my life in Jesus' name.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.
From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in
the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so they
can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing
Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to
the greatest story of a told. It is a story
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
(02:11):
for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.
This is a story that continues to shape and mold
the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God
right into the hearts of you and me. This episode
is about faith and what God is able to do
with just one small step. People who are desperate, sick, blind, hungry,
(02:32):
and sinking will all meet Jesus in a profound way.
Each of them have small yet significant acts of faith
that produce wonders. Episode ten is special in the way
it compacts the greatest of Jesus In just one episode,
you and I will get to experience the highs and
loads of death, sickness, life, and healing. Each moment in
(02:54):
this story will highlight the magnificence of Christ in a
unique way. Take it all in yourself, sit in awe
of our God. This episode will begin with a unique prelude.
We will revisit John the Baptist for the last time
as he sits in a cell of waiting death. His
time in prison and the thoughts that swirl around his
head before his final breath remind us that even in
(03:17):
death we can sigh a Hallelujah to our King. This
life does not promise its comfort. Following Jesus does not
mean life will be filled with bliss and prosperity. However,
what is promised in Jesus is purpose, glory and heaven.
My prayer for you in this episode is that you
would stand in awe of God and know that even
(03:37):
in the worst of times, He can show you his glory.
I pray that your faith would be strengthened and you
two can learn to pursue God like the characters in
this story. Let us begin with my favorite episode yet,
Episode ten, God or.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Ghost prailerd to chapter ten, John could hear the faint
sound of music echoing through the dungeons. Always a slight
scent of cooked meat wafted its way through cracks in
the walls. Herod was throwing another party, and John didn't
(04:15):
know it yet, but he was about to be the
honored guest. Herod had arrested John for speaking out against him.
He had taken his brother's wife as his own. John,
being a man to proclaim repentance, did not spare the
rich and powerful. He called Herod to repentance and urged
him to turn from his ways back to God. John's
(04:38):
fan had magnified his message and shamed Herod and his
new wife. Herodius. Out of anger, Herod captured John to
silence him. Even though John was captured, Herod still feared him.
John was a man of God, and a popular one
at that. One false move and Herod may find riots
(05:00):
outside his home. However, Herodius, Herod's stolen wife teemed with
hatred against him. She wanted his head rolling off his shoulders.
She wanted him han from his own entrails. As long
as John the Baptist lived, so did her shame. It
(05:20):
was Herod's birthday, and the palace was filled with drunken
generals and city officials. Wine flowed like a river through
the hallways, and Herod slowly lost grip of his wits.
Herodias watched Herod bumble around, drunk. Sitting on his throne.
She knew that he was in prime condition to be manipulated.
(05:42):
Herodius gesture for her daughter.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
To come forth, you see Herod over there. She whispered
that drunken fool would do anything for you if you
gave him something pretty to look at. Go my darling
and fetch me a favor.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
The woman and her daughter looked at one another slyly.
Herrodius's daughter was a beautiful young woman and sought after
by many men in the city. She sontered pudly of
the long hall, but Herod and his friends strayed. She
moved sensually towards Herod, erotic music haunting in the background.
(06:20):
Herod followed her hips. As they moved to the music,
She came in close to him, still swaying to the instruments.
Her lips came close to his ears as she danced
close to him. Then she pulled away, allowing the entire
room to watch her move. Herod and every one of
his men were mesmerized and aroused. Dull of thinking, Herod
(06:42):
blurted out, asked me anything. His words slurred and his
cheeks blushed. He stood to his feet, unable to get
a good balance. He slumped back into his chair, laughing,
Come here, girl, he said. The girl looked back where
her mind was watching. She walked up to him Harrod
(07:03):
drew her in close.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Ask me anything, and I will do it.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
I will give you up to half my kingdom. The
girl looked back to her mother. The two of them smiled.
She giggled and tugged on a tuft of Herod's beard.
She drew her lips in close to his ear and whispered.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
There is one thing you could give me.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Herod's eyes closed. He smiled, nodding for her to continue.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
I want the head of your special prisoner.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
She said, with malice in her seductive voice.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Give me the head of John the Baptist.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Herod's eyes widened at the request. Her words sobered him.
He had promised her anything in the company of his generals.
He was unable to go back on his word. Herod
nodded to the captain of his guard. John's cell doors
slammed open. Blinding light burst through. He looked up to
(08:05):
see four guards standing at the entrance with a bag
of platter and an axe. He sighed deeply. He had
thought about this moment for quite some time. He knew
his end was near. He stood to his feet and
walked towards them. They bound him and drug him out
to the back of the palace. John's head was shoved
(08:27):
under the cold stone table. He thought of his words
to the disciples that one morning on the shore.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
John shook his head, laughing at where he was now.
There was no way to decrease more than what he
was about to do. John smiled, closed his eyes, and
allowed the axe to call on his neck. John's head
was handed to Herodius on a silver platter. She had
(08:59):
had her revenge, Yet the glory of John the Baptist
could not be severed. His words, legacy, and memory was
tied up in the person of Jesus. Her petty plan
to rid herself of shame fell flat. The next day
after relishing in her vengeance, she would feel the same
pain and the same shame. Herod and Herodius had used
(09:23):
their power to serve their own flesh. Every debased and
demented desire they had, they followed blindly. They did not
truly understand how power was to be wielded. They did
not understand that the true mark of power was how
it's used to bless the vulnerable. Chapter ten, God or Ghost.
(09:50):
Jesus stamped off the boat on to the sandy shore.
The tide was slowly rising and falling, and the morning
fog lazily slid across the water. Jesus breathed in deeply
and walked a few yards away to seek time with
his father. The other disciples were fast asleep in the boat.
(10:11):
It had been a trying morning, from enduring a storm
to surviving the attack of a legion of demons. However,
in every single moment, Jesus was teaching them to have faith.
Every moment spent with Jesus was a moment purposely pursuing
the kingdom of heaven. The storm had been treacherous, yet
(10:33):
there were greater things they would need to endure. The
demoniac was frightening, yet there would be greater things than
demons to fear. Jesus prayed, and as he arose to
walk back to the boat, he saw a large crowd
forming in the distance. Can't we rest for just one moment,
Nathaniel said, groggily, getting out of the boat.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
These crowds are relentless.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
The other disciples groaned and agreed as they got themselves
out of the boat. Jesus simply smiled and looked to
the large wave of people descending towards the shore. Jesus
turned his gaze towards the rising sun breaking through the fog.
The people were drawn to him because up until now
there had never been anyone who had displayed so much
(11:19):
power with so much love. Everybody wanted a glimpse of
Jesus so they might be filled with hope and enlivened
in their faith. Jesus was greeting the crowds when Jyros,
one of the rulers of the synagogue, wrestled his way
to the front Jesus. He yelled as people bumped into him,
I must speak with Jesus. He was not the only
(11:42):
one who desired to see Jesus, however, he was the
most determined. Jyros drove his legs into the ground and
marched through the crowd. Jesus, please, do you hear me?
He yelled. He looked up towards the middle of the
crowd where Jesus was. Then he was whacked by someone's elbow.
Thrown to the ground, Gyros lay in the dirt, disoriented.
(12:04):
He opened his eyes to find Jesus's hand extended in
front of him. His smile was warm and understanding. Gyros
took his hand and rose to his feet. Jesus, my
little daughter is sick and dying. Please, if you would
just lay your hands on her, I'm sure she would
be made well. Gyros implored. Lead the way, Jesus said,
(12:29):
gesturing forward. Gyros nodded, and the two of them weaved
through the crowds, with the disciples clearing away in front
of them. The crowd was relentlessly grabbing at Jesus. It
took everything for Simon Peter to not clear a path
with his sword. The people were thrashing and chopping like
a great sea. As the crowd pressed into Jesus, there
(12:51):
was a small figure in the corner. It was a
woman following the crowd. She was young, no older than thirty.
She hunched over, grabbing at her stomach As she limped
through the large throng, she could barely stand, constantly keeling
over in pain. Sleepless nights revealed themselves under her eyes.
(13:14):
She was a woman acquainted with suffering. For twelve years,
she had been afflicted with a discharge of blood. Day
and night. She would fight for the will to live.
As each day came and went, her hope diminished until
she heard about Jesus. First she heard he restored a
(13:35):
lame man by the pools of Bethesda. She too was there,
praying to be healed. She waited by the water for hours,
splashing at it in frustration. Her tears must have filled
up half those pools. Then she heard he had healed
a leper. There were eye witnesses of the man's limbs
growing back as soon as Jesus touched him. She began
(13:57):
to wonder if Jesus could ever heal her who Then
there were whispers from name she had heard, rumors of
a man once dead brought back to life. That was
when she knew Jesus was more than just a mysterious
wanderer with tricks. He had power, true power. She could
(14:19):
see Jesus's back as she crawled through the throng of people.
He was there, he was real. Her tired eyes widened
and she picked up her pace. Her crawling turned into
a run, and just as she thought she was close,
a member in the crowd kicked her to the ground.
Trying to get to Jesus. The woman cried out in pain.
(14:40):
The sounds of the people drowned out her screams. Tears
streamed down her face as she lay on the floor.
People stepped over her as they made their way to
the center. She picked herself up to her hands and knees,
only to get kneed in the jaw by another unaware
member of the crowd. She fell face first into the dirt,
(15:01):
blood filling up in her mouth. Her breathing was staggered
and heavy. The pain in her abdomen twisted at her
like a rusty blade. She looked up to see the
stampede of people surrounding Jesus.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
They don't need him like I need him.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
She thought to herself.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
If I can just touch the corner of his robe,
I know I will be healed. That's all it will take.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
The woman picked herself up, holding her side tightly. She
winced in pain, but continued to hobble forward.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
All I need is to be near him, she thought,
just one small glimpse.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
She came closer to the center of the crowd, being
shoved in every direction, she kept her gaze fixed on Jesus.
She did not take her eyes off him.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
Whatever it takes, she.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Whispered to herself. She could field drops of blood running
down her garments. It was beginning again. She felt the
warm blood drip down her leg, leaving a trail behind her.
For twelve years, her ailment had been a source of
shame and anguish. It had isolated her, kept her from marriage,
(16:18):
and sequestered her to a life away from the world. Now,
just a few feet away from her stood her liberation.
The crowd continued to thrash like a wave against a
small vessel. Yet the woman remained steady and on course.
She drove her legs forward, pressing through the pain. Just
(16:38):
one touch, she said, She was mere inches away. She
could see the edge of his garment flowing behind him.
She took her arm away from her side and reached out.
The crowd was relentless, and she could feel jabbing at
her ribs. She didn't care. She was so close, just
as she was inches away from touching him, she was
(17:00):
kicked forward to the crowd. On her way down, she
grazed the edge of Jesus's robe. The thund of her
body hitting the floor was drowned out by the yelling crowd.
She curled up in the dust, writhing in pain. She
watched Jesus walk away with a mob following him. Then
(17:21):
all went dark. Who touched me? Jesus said, turning back
to one of his disciples. The disciples looked at one another, perplexed.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Master, look at this crowd. There was an army of
people here trying to touch you.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Simon the zealot, responded. Jesus shook his head. No, no,
this was different, he said.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
This time, I felt my power go out from me.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Jesus looked around. The entire crowd noticed Jesus looking for someone. However,
in a sea of faces, no one knew who Jesus
was speaking of. The woman sat up, face filled with dust.
She rubbed her eyes and looked forward. The crowd had stopped.
They were looking for some one who touched Jesus. She
(18:06):
heard a man yell. Her eyes widened. She felt around
her stomach. No pain, did it work? She thought. Instead
of excitement, all she felt was fear. Why were they
looking for her? What happened to Jesus? What did she
do wrong? Instead of feeling a sense of elation or joy,
she felt more shame. She was fearful to come forward.
(18:30):
The woman stood to her feet for the first time
in twelve years. She was able to stand up straight. However,
she still walked with her head helt low. She approached
the crowd and fell at the feet of Jesus.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Ah, it was me, my Lord.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Before she could say another word, she burst into tears.
Jesus looked down at her. She was so used to
being in pain that even when healed, she felt guilty.
His heart broke for her. He kneeled down to where
she was, daughter, Jesus said, softly, lift up your eyes.
(19:09):
The woman lifted her head and peered into Jesus's eyes.
People had looked upon her with pity before. However, Jesus's
look was different, and his eyes revealed a deep knowledge
of her pain. He knew what she had endured for
twelve years. He understood replight. She breathed in deeply, Finally
(19:34):
able to cease crying, Jesus smiled and lifted her chin.
Speaker 5 (19:40):
Your faith has made you well. Go in peace and
be healed of your disease.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Before Jesus could stand to his feet, a voice yelled
from behind the crowd.
Speaker 6 (19:50):
Gyrus.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
He yelled, Gyrus, by God, where is Gyrius. Gyrus knew
the sound of that voice. It was Simeon, a man
from his household. Amien, Gyros exclaimed. Dread filled Gyrus's mind.
There could only be one reason he would come so
urgently to find him. Gyros ran to meet him. What
is it, What news do you have? Simeon held his
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head low. He could not look Gyros in the eye.
His throat clenched, and he struggled to hold back tears.
She is dead, my lord, he whispered. He looked up
at Gyros, eyes watered by grief.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Do not trouble the teacher anymore.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Your daughter is dead. Gyrus was silent for a moment,
and then looked back at Jesus and then at the
woman on the floor. His face was pale with shock.
They were too late. Jesus had been his last hope,
but this woman had interrupted any chance he had at
(20:52):
saving his daughter. Gyrus was unable to speak. His knees shook,
He felt like vomiting, He felt like screaming, he felt
like weeping until he met his bitter end. Yet before
he could do any of these things, Jesus put his
hand on his shoulder. Gyrus's gaze traveled from his shoulder
(21:16):
to the face of Jesus. He looked at him intently.
Do not fear Gyros, Jesus said, believe in me. Jesus
had his disciples shoe away the crowds. Then he chose Simon, Peter, James,
and John to follow him to Gyrus's house. Gyrus was
still silent. He wanted to believe Jesus. He wanted to
(21:39):
believe all would turn out in the end, yet he
could not fully grasp what had happened. His daughter was dead,
yet death seemed to not be final for Jesus. They
approached the house, there was a commotion in front of
a garden. Mourners dressed in black surrounded the entrance to
(21:59):
the house, weeping and wailing. Their cries were like sorrowful melodies.
Jesus approached them, Why are you all weeping, he asked.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
The child is not dead, He's only sleeping.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
The people in the house were offended by him. They scoffed,
how dare you. We've lost a child and you stand
here telling us she's sleeping. Shame on you. Yet Jesus
paid no attention. He took Gyros and his wife by
the hand. He took them to the upper room where
their daughter lay. Simon, Peter, James, and John trailed behind. Silently.
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They watched Jesus lead them up the steps. They reached
the entrance and stopped. Gyros pulled his hand away and
shook his hand. He could not look at his daughter.
He could not bear the pain of seeing her dead.
He put his face in his hands, sobbing. Sir opened
(23:00):
the door softly. He stepped in to see the little
girl laying in her bed. Her face was pale and lifeless.
There was no restless stirring of a dreaming child or
sounds of her soft breathing. There was no life in
the room. Jesus approached her bedside and knelt down. He
(23:23):
took her small, cold hand in his hands. He stroked
her hair gently. Her mother and father wept at the entrance,
unable to step forward. Jesus looked at the little girl
with love. He remembered her. He knew every hair on
(23:43):
her head. He knew her hopes and dreams for the future.
He even knew what she had named her dolls, talitha comie,
Jesus whispered, which.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Means little girl, I say to you for eyes.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Then, as if she was waking from a deep sleep,
the girl opened her eyes. She stretched in her bed
under her covers and yawned. Her mother and father burst
into the room and fell at her side. Jesus stepped
aside and smiled. The two parents were sobbering, and the
little girl had trouble understanding what had happened. Jesus gestured
(24:23):
for Simon, Peter, James, and John to leave. He followed
them out. Before leaving, he poked his head through the
door and said.
Speaker 5 (24:31):
Make sure she gets something to eat. She must be hungry.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
The little girl smiled. Jesus winked back and left with
his disciples. Jesus passed on from there. Simon, Peter, James,
and John trailed behind him, dumbfounded at what they had
just seen. No matter how many miracles they had witnessed,
it was still amazing every time Jesus somehow was able
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to give himself to every one, yet seem unrushed and
at peace. He walked not only with the power of God,
but also with the peace of God. They followed him
outside the city, when all of a sudden they heard
more voices crying out to him. Two blind men stood
shoulder to shoulder, following close behind them.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
Son of David, They shouted, have mercy on us.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Jesus looked back and paused. He waited for them to
draw near. Before they could walk past him, he embraced them.
Speaker 5 (25:32):
Do you believe that I am able to heal you?
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Jesus asked them, Yes, Lord, They responded, shaking in place
out of excitement. Jesus loved that they anticipated healing from him.
For them, it was not a matter of whether Jesus
was able to heal them or not, but a matter
of whether it was a part of his will. He
touched their eyes with his hands.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
Well, then, let it be done according to your faith.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
And as Jesus said this, the darkness that had plagued
them for years was stripped away by bursting light. Coming
into focus. Through that light was the face of Jesus.
He smiled and told them to keep what they had
experienced a secret. However, their joy was overflowing to the brim.
As they left Jesus's presence, they proclaimed his mighty works
(26:24):
throughout the city. A truly transformed life could not keep
a secret for long. The multitudes grew, and soon more
than five thousand people gathered to hear Jesus teach. They
followed him into the hills outside Galilee. Jesus once again
used the opportunity to preach about the Kingdom of God.
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His prose was enchanting and his philosophy was steady. There
was no teacher like him. He commanded the thousands, and
they hung on every word he said. As soon as
he finished, he turned to Philip and said, how much.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
Would it cost to feed these people? Surely we cannot
leave them to travel home hungry.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Philip laughed, thinking Jesus was joking. He saw the seriousness
on Jesus's face and composed himself. He cleared his throat
and said.
Speaker 6 (27:17):
A six month's wage would not be enough to feed
this many people. Jesus.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Jesus ignored his replies. He scammed the crowd as a
shepherd would his sheep.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
I believe I saw a young boy here who had
about five barley loaves and two fish, Andrew said, other
than that, I have not seen any food in the
whole crowd.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Philip shook his head.
Speaker 6 (27:39):
Ah, yes, perfect, a boy's mother packed his lunch. Shall
we have all five thousand people for him a line?
Or maybe they could all take turns nibbling on the
end of the.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Fish like rodents, Philip joked. Jesus playfully slapped Philip's back.
Speaker 5 (27:54):
Perfect, he exclaimed, Have the people sit down to eat.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Jesus then walked forward to go find the boy. The
disciples exchanged looks with one another, as they often did.
It was a very common occurrence for them to feel
like they were following a lunatic. However, every single time,
Jesus proved himself to be exactly who he said he was.
(28:19):
After all, God did not always work in conventional ways.
He had the Israelites march around a wall seven times
before it came crumbling down. He used a fish to
swallow a man for three days to teach him a lesson.
He made a donkey speak to rebuke a prophet. All
of these things seemed like foolishness, but ultimately fulfilled the
(28:43):
purposes of God. So the disciples simply shrugged and seated.
All five thousand people into smaller groups. The afternoon sun
was just beginning its descent across the sky. Its rays
shone on the multitude sitting in the grassy hills below.
The light breeze dulled the harshness of the warm beams.
(29:06):
People were content to sit in groups, waiting to see
what Jesus would do next. There was a joyous anticipation
for how he would proceed. Some looked up in the sky,
wondering if Jesus would send manna down from heaven as
the disciples see to the people. Jesus approached the boy
with five loaves and two fish. He knelt down and
(29:29):
met him at eye level. Jesus greeted him and gestured
towards the loaves and fish.
Speaker 5 (29:36):
You are very smart to pack food for.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
Yourself, Jesus said, with a smile.
Speaker 5 (29:40):
How would you feel about sharing these with everyone else?
Speaker 2 (29:43):
The boy looked down at his food. He was hungry
and didn't see much point in sharing when it wouldn't
feed all the people anyway. How will this be enough,
the boy.
Speaker 5 (29:53):
Asked, I feel like this is too small to make
a difference.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Jesus grinned from ear to ear, But you see, all
things are possible with God.
Speaker 5 (30:02):
Whatever little you may have, he can use it.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
The boy looked at his meal one more time, then
gave it to Jesus. Thank you, Jesus said. He walked
up the hill with the five loves and two fish,
gesturing for his disciples to fetch baskets along the way.
Jesus raised the food high in the air for all
to see. He blessed the food and thanked God for
(30:28):
the abundance. A few of the disciples rolled their eyes.
Then Jesus broke up the bread into pieces and distributed
them in the baskets. He did the same with the fish.
Here we are, Jesus said.
Speaker 5 (30:42):
Now pass the food out to people. They've waited long enough.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
The disciples tucked the baskets. They were light at first,
nearly empty as they began passing out pieces to the
groups sitting in the grass. However, with each person they passed,
the basket became heavier and heavier. It was as if
three new pieces were placed in for every piece that
was passed out. Eventually, the disciples were dragging the baskets
(31:08):
to each group. Every person had their fill of bread
and fish. Jesus swept out, admiring the laughter over food.
He knew the importance of a full belly and good company.
The disciples made their way up the hill, heaving the
baskets up behind them. After all had been fed, they
(31:29):
still had baskets of leftover food. They finally made it
up to Jesus, gasping for air. Matthew and Judas lay
on the grass, laughing at how tired they were. They
had managed to feed over five thousand people with just
two fish and five measly barley loaves. All the crowd
(31:50):
watched as Jesus was able to bless an entire sea
of people with the generosity of one boy. He demonstrated
that God does not need excess to use people for
his glory. He uses the small and the insignificant things
of this world to prove his power. He blessed thousands
(32:12):
with the faithfulness of one. The boy with two fish
and five laws served as a reminder to every disciple
that God is able to use anything to accomplish his purposes.
The people stood and cheered. They had seen Jesus heal
the lame and give sight to the blind. However, now
(32:33):
they had seen him make food appear out of thin air.
This caused them to rave even more. He should be
made king. They exclaimed, nobody will ever hunger again. They
shouted down with Caesar, let Jesus arise and give us bread.
They chanted. As the crowds lifted their voices, they stormed
(32:53):
up the hill to grab hold of Jesus to make
him king. Jesus knew that if he stayed one minute longer,
the crowd would overtake him and force him to be
their king. They were desperate to be fed and taken
care of. However, they missed the true purpose of Jesus's miracle.
He did not simply desire to feed people. He desired
(33:16):
to showcase their potential in every person to make a difference.
He desired to showcase God's power. However, the people were
intent on making him king. Jesus grabbed his disciples and
told them to board their boat and leave. They would
not be safe for the crowd growing more violent. Jesus
(33:37):
watched the disciples run down the hill towards the sea.
Then he withdrew behind a few stones and retreated up
the mountain to be alone with God. There he sat
in the presence of his father for hours. The disciples
floated out in the open waters, watching the sun gracefully
(33:57):
descend past the horizon. As the night drew closer, the
waters began to stir. A bone chilling wind blew across
the water, and the moon was hidden behind the incoming fog.
All night, the disciples shivered and huddled together to hide
from the wind. It was sharp against their faces and
(34:19):
blew from two sides of the sea. Its noise was
like a rumbling voice calling out from the deep. The
sea seemed to moan in agony, like a tormented saul.
The men became frightened that they were not alone in
the open waters. They could sense the presence of another
behind the fog. The wind continued to murmur as the
(34:43):
boat creaked back and forth. Thaddeus looked out into the
dense fog in the distance. He saw a figure walking
towards them over the waters. He rubbed his eyes and
peered closer. The figure was drawing closer. He jumped back
from the edge of the boat and stumbled into a
few of the other disciples. Thaddeus could not believe his eyes.
Speaker 6 (35:07):
It's it's a ghost.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
The others began to panic. Thaddeus pointed into the distance.
A silhouetted figure was making its way toward them.
Speaker 6 (35:16):
God, have mercy on us. It's a ghost.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Row, James yelled, Row for your lives. The disciples took
different paddles as Andrew let loose the mainsail. However, the
wind was too violent for them to make any progress.
Panic began to sit in. They were trapped in a
prison of wind, doomed to be devoured by a ghost
of the sea. Then a voice called out from the fog.
Speaker 5 (35:39):
Take heart, my friends, it shouted, it is I. Do
not be afraid.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
The men leaned over to the edge of the boat.
Emerging from the fog, they could see Jesus walking on
water towards them. He walked firmly against the moving sea,
maintaining poise with each step. Simon Peter was the most
He had been a man of the sea his entire life.
(36:04):
His father and his father's father were all fishermen. Never
before had he witnessed such a thing. His heart began
to raise. The thought of being one with the water
was enticing. He looked up at Jesus. He could see
his confidence as he stood on the moving swell. Lord
Simon Peter said.
Speaker 6 (36:26):
If it is you, command me to come out to you.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
The freezing winds were relentless against Simon Peter's face, yet
his gaze remained fixed on his Lord. Come then, Jesus said.
He opened out his arms and beckoned Simon Peter to
step out. He sat on the vessel's edge, refusing to
look down at the water. Instead, he kept his sight
(36:51):
on Jesus like a lighthouse. Simon Peter could hear the
rushing waters chop underneath the boat. He breathed in deeply,
nodding to Jesus. Then, in a moment of pure faith,
he jumped out, with his legs extended. His heart stopped beating.
For that brief moment, he was air borne, fully prepared
(37:14):
to be submerged in water and thrashing under the surf. However,
he landed firmly on the top of the waters, standing
as if on a pillow of grass. The disciples gasped
in awe. Simon Peter refused to look down at his feet.
He refused to look back at the others. Instead, he
looked longingly at his master in front of him. Every
(37:37):
step was a rush, the wind howled, and the seas
raged around him. Yet there was this brief and beautiful
moment of him walking where no man had walked before.
Simon Peter walked towards Jesus as his son went to
his father. However, his pace was interrupted as a gust
of wind raged against his face. His gaze was thrown
(38:01):
off Jesus, and all of a sudden, Simon Peter was
gravely aware of his surroundings. He looked at the violent
waves thrashing around him. He listened to the sharp shrieks
of the wind. Then he looked down to see the
deep abyss gazing.
Speaker 4 (38:18):
Up at him.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Simon Peter felt the support of his feet give way
as he dropped into the cold blackness. He was consumed
by the waters and sank deep into the belly of
the ocean. Simon Peter kicked his legs and stroked his
arms upwards, trying to reach the top. He emerged from
underneath the water, only to be buried by another wave.
(38:43):
The impact left a ringing in his ears. He was
almost sure he would die. He emerged again, not sure
if he had the strength to continue swimming. In his hysteria,
he was able to spare a few breaths to cry
out to Jesus in a moment of complete despair, he
spoke one of the most powerful prayers ever, uttered a
(39:05):
prayer that would echo into eternity. His cry for help
reached straight to the heart of God and changed the
course of his life. Surrounded by waves and gasping for air,
he looked up and shouted, Jesus, save me. Then he
sank below the surface. All was silent as Simon Peter
(39:29):
descended into the deep. He peered up at the small
sliver of moonlight above. He wondered if this would be
the end of his journey, would the greatest moment of
his life be followed by his demise. He knew Jesus
was above him. He could see the silhouette of his
feet resting on the surface of the waters. Then two
(39:51):
arms reached down and grabbed Simon Peter from the depths.
It was as if the arms of God burst through
the heavens into the dark world below. He grabbed Simon
Peter and lifted him out of the darkness. Simon Peter
was lifted through the water into the arms of Jesus.
(40:13):
He carried him to the boat and placed him gently inside.
Simon Peter looked over his shoulder. The fog had cleared,
and the wind ceased its howling. The horizon lit up
with bright orange as the sun rose above the shore light.
All the disciples looked at Jesus. The sea was as
(40:33):
still as glass now, and Simon Peter wept tears of joy.
He turned his face to Jesus. His gaze warmed him
more than the sun itself. His face was blue and
his entire body shivered. Truly, you are the Sun of God,
he whispered. Then he fell into a deep sleep. Simon
(40:58):
Peter's experience showcased the human experience in its entirety. His fear, worry,
and doubt were quickly replaced with joy and thrill. As
he walked towards Jesus. However, he lost sight and fell
deep into despair. He thrashed, swam, and gasped for air.
(41:20):
Yet he could not save himself in his own strength.
He needed an intervention. He needed a rescue from above
the waves. While Simon Peter was a victim of the ocean,
Jesus walked above it, And while humanity was victim to
sin and death, Jesus would rise above it.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
They did not understand that the true mark of power
is how it is used to bless the vulnerable. This
was the prevailing theme in this episode. How is strength
supposed to be wielded? What is the purpose behind privilege?
And how do we leverage our power? Jesus, having ultimate
power and authority, used it to bless the sick, needy,
and vulnerable. The purpose of putting the story of John's
(42:10):
death in the prelude was to highlight the contrast between
King Herod and Jesus. While Herod and his household were
indulgent and leverage their authority for evil, Jesus was continually
using his position to bless those in need. This began
with Jarus's daughter and the woman who was sick. Both
of them came to him in desperation. Instead of shirking
(42:32):
them off to address the crowd of worshippers, Jesus paid
attention to their needs. This is an important point for
us to remember. While Jesus did come to save the world,
that does not mean he doesn't consider you personally. Your
problems are not too small for him, and your needs
are on his mind. We can learn a lot from
(42:52):
Jiros and the woman. They truly understood the power of
Jesus and desperately sought him. However, both of them approached
him very differently. Jyrs pushed through the crowd and yelled
to get Jesus's attention. He was desperate for his daughter's
sake and didn't care who he offended in the pursuit
of Christ. The woman was more timid and ashamed. She
knew all it would take was a touch. She was
(43:15):
quietly determined to be close to him and fort tooth
and nailed to just graze the size of his garment.
Both these individuals met Jesus in different ways, and both
were profoundly blessed. These interactions remind us that we have
the freedom to honestly seek out help when we desperately needed.
There was also a foreshadowing early in this episode. Did
(43:37):
you notice it? The woman kept her gaze fixed on Jesus.
She didn't take her eyes off him. This was a
subtle foreshadowing of Simon Peter walking on water when his
eyes turned away from Jesus and he began to sink.
The crowd that surrounded the woman was like the winds
and the wave. She remained steadfast and continued her pursuit
(43:58):
of Jesus despite being knocked down. The woman's faith and
Simon Peter's faith are put in contrast to one another
and remind us that, no matter what the circumstances may be,
we must keep our eyes locked on Jesus. After healing
the woman and bringing Jyrus's daughter back from the dead,
Jesus encounters two blind men. They call on him by
(44:20):
invoking the name David, son of David. They shouted, have
mercy on us. We hear this title given to Jesus often.
What does that mean? If you listen to our series
on the Life of David, you may understand a little
more about what this title means. God promised that the
Messiah would come from the lineage of King David. David
(44:40):
was a forerunner for the one true King of Israel.
The blind men calling Jesus son of David, acknowledged his
divine duty as the promised redeemer of Israel. To put
it simply, these men were calling him King Jesus. There
were several times in this episode that people either called
Jesus a king or called for him to become their king.
(45:02):
Jesus was and is a king, but he is not
the king anyone expected. He did not come to lead
armies like Saul slay giants like David, or build wealth
like Solomon. He came to serve and save the souls
of mankind. Healing the sick, giving sight to the blind,
and feeding the hungry were all pictures of what He
(45:22):
wanted to do with our hearts. This episode eventually took
us to the famous Feeding of the five thousand. It
is important to note back then that they didn't count
women and children, so five thousand most likely meant ten
to fifteen thousand. The most absurd part of this story
is that the only one who thought to bring food
was a small boy. But that's neither here nor there.
(45:45):
This miracle turning just a few loads of bread and
a couple of fish into a meal for thousands teaches
us a valuable lesson. It demonstrated that God does not
need excess to use people for his glory. He uses
the small and insignificant thing of this world to prove
his power. He blessed thousands with the faithfulness of one.
(46:06):
The boy with two fish and five lows serves as
a reminder to every disciple that God is able to
use anything to accomplish his purpose. Perhaps you feel like
you don't have much to offer God, perhaps you feel
at the end of yourself, tired and lacking strength. Jesus
doesn't need flashy talent or riches to perform miracles. All
(46:27):
he needs is faithfulness. Whatever you have to give, give
it your awe. Even in your weakest moments, God is
able to display strength. This episode ended with God's strength
on display. The Disciples were once again toss to and
fro by the wind and the waves. However, Jesus was
standing above the waves, walking toward them. Remember the last
(46:49):
episode when we talked about the imagery of water in
the Bible, Unruly and stormy waters are supposed to be
an image of the chaos and darkness of the world.
So what is the significance of Jesus walking on top
of the storm and Simon Peter sinking? This scene is
telling us that Jesus has power over the things that
consume us. While Simon Peter was tossed by the wind,
(47:13):
Jesus was steady and unwavering. Simon Peter took his eyes
off Jesus and found himself being swallowed up by the
dark abyss. Let's go back to the scene and relive
the intensity Simon Peter felt. The support of his feet
give way as he dropped into the cold blackness. He
was consumed by the waters and sank deep into the
(47:33):
belly of the ocean. Simon Peter kicked his legs and
stroked his arms upward, trying to reach the top. He
emerged from underneath the water, only to be buried by
another wave. The impact left a ringing in his ears.
He was almost sure he would die. He emerged again,
not sure if he had the strength to continue swimming.
(47:53):
In his hysteria, he was able to spare a few
breaths to cry out to Jesus. In a moment of
complete despair, he spoke one of the most powerful prayers ever, uttered,
a prayer that would echo into eternity. His cry for
help reached straight to the heart of God and change
the course of his life. Surrounded by waves and gasping
(48:13):
for air, he looked up and shouted, Jesus save me.
This is the shortest prayer in all scripture, but it
is the most profound. Not all prayers need to be
long and deep. Some of the most effective and honest
prayers come from a sigh of pain or a shout
of desperation. Jesus Save Me is a prayer. You can
(48:35):
pray as well. If you find yourself lost, hopeless, and alone,
you can reach out to God and ask to be saved.
Make this prayer a priority this week. What storms are
you caught in? What sins are you stuck in? Shout
to Jesus and he will wrap you in his arms.
In our next episode, the glory of Christ will be
(48:56):
revealed in splendor. Join us next time for episode e
left Behold and Beware. Thanks again for listening. For more
inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com. And to expand your heroes
in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith
devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Share this
(49:19):
podcast with a family member or friend so they can
know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know
how great of an impact the Bible on this podcast
can have on someone's life. God bless
And he said come. And when Peter was come down
out of the ship, he walked on the water to
go to Jesus. Matthew fourteen twenty nine. Multiply whatever touches
my hand, Lord, as I give to serve the lives
of others, like the little boy in Matthew fourteen and
(00:23):
John six one through ten. I thank you Jesus, because
you can take little in my hand and make it grand.
As I continually step out in faith, meet me at
the place of my obedience. Then take whatever gifting and
ability I have and reproduce it and replicate it in
(00:45):
such a way that thousands and millions of your children
can be blessed. But don't stop with that miracle. As
I continue to listen to your word, allow me to
walk on and over situations in my life that should
cause me to sink. I declare that my focus will
(01:08):
remain steadfast on you, Jesus. I declare that I will
not lose sight of who it is that has called
me out into the deep waters of purpose. I decree
that I am a water walker, filled with the anointing
to multiply everything that touches my life, and I am
(01:30):
not afraid to speak this truth over my life in Jesus' name.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.
From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in
the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so they
can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because knowing
Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to
the greatest story of a told. It is a story
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
(02:11):
for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.
This is a story that continues to shape and mold
the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God
right into the hearts of you and me. This episode
is about faith and what God is able to do
with just one small step. People who are desperate, sick, blind, hungry,
(02:32):
and sinking will all meet Jesus in a profound way.
Each of them have small yet significant acts of faith
that produce wonders. Episode ten is special in the way
it compacts the greatest of Jesus In just one episode,
you and I will get to experience the highs and
loads of death, sickness, life, and healing. Each moment in
(02:54):
this story will highlight the magnificence of Christ in a
unique way. Take it all in yourself, sit in awe
of our God. This episode will begin with a unique prelude.
We will revisit John the Baptist for the last time
as he sits in a cell of waiting death. His
time in prison and the thoughts that swirl around his
head before his final breath remind us that even in
(03:17):
death we can sigh a Hallelujah to our King. This
life does not promise its comfort. Following Jesus does not
mean life will be filled with bliss and prosperity. However,
what is promised in Jesus is purpose, glory and heaven.
My prayer for you in this episode is that you
would stand in awe of God and know that even
(03:37):
in the worst of times, He can show you his glory.
I pray that your faith would be strengthened and you
two can learn to pursue God like the characters in
this story. Let us begin with my favorite episode yet,
Episode ten, God or.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Ghost prailerd to chapter ten, John could hear the faint
sound of music echoing through the dungeons. Always a slight
scent of cooked meat wafted its way through cracks in
the walls. Herod was throwing another party, and John didn't
(04:15):
know it yet, but he was about to be the
honored guest. Herod had arrested John for speaking out against him.
He had taken his brother's wife as his own. John,
being a man to proclaim repentance, did not spare the
rich and powerful. He called Herod to repentance and urged
him to turn from his ways back to God. John's
(04:38):
fan had magnified his message and shamed Herod and his
new wife. Herodius. Out of anger, Herod captured John to
silence him. Even though John was captured, Herod still feared him.
John was a man of God, and a popular one
at that. One false move and Herod may find riots
(05:00):
outside his home. However, Herodius, Herod's stolen wife teemed with
hatred against him. She wanted his head rolling off his shoulders.
She wanted him han from his own entrails. As long
as John the Baptist lived, so did her shame. It
(05:20):
was Herod's birthday, and the palace was filled with drunken
generals and city officials. Wine flowed like a river through
the hallways, and Herod slowly lost grip of his wits.
Herodias watched Herod bumble around, drunk. Sitting on his throne.
She knew that he was in prime condition to be manipulated.
(05:42):
Herodius gesture for her daughter.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
To come forth, you see Herod over there. She whispered
that drunken fool would do anything for you if you
gave him something pretty to look at. Go my darling
and fetch me a favor.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
The woman and her daughter looked at one another slyly.
Herrodius's daughter was a beautiful young woman and sought after
by many men in the city. She sontered pudly of
the long hall, but Herod and his friends strayed. She
moved sensually towards Herod, erotic music haunting in the background.
(06:20):
Herod followed her hips. As they moved to the music,
She came in close to him, still swaying to the instruments.
Her lips came close to his ears as she danced
close to him. Then she pulled away, allowing the entire
room to watch her move. Herod and every one of
his men were mesmerized and aroused. Dull of thinking, Herod
(06:42):
blurted out, asked me anything. His words slurred and his
cheeks blushed. He stood to his feet, unable to get
a good balance. He slumped back into his chair, laughing,
Come here, girl, he said. The girl looked back where
her mind was watching. She walked up to him Harrod
(07:03):
drew her in close.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Ask me anything, and I will do it.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
I will give you up to half my kingdom. The
girl looked back to her mother. The two of them smiled.
She giggled and tugged on a tuft of Herod's beard.
She drew her lips in close to his ear and whispered.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
There is one thing you could give me.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Herod's eyes closed. He smiled, nodding for her to continue.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
I want the head of your special prisoner.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
She said, with malice in her seductive voice.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Give me the head of John the Baptist.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Herod's eyes widened at the request. Her words sobered him.
He had promised her anything in the company of his generals.
He was unable to go back on his word. Herod
nodded to the captain of his guard. John's cell doors
slammed open. Blinding light burst through. He looked up to
(08:05):
see four guards standing at the entrance with a bag
of platter and an axe. He sighed deeply. He had
thought about this moment for quite some time. He knew
his end was near. He stood to his feet and
walked towards them. They bound him and drug him out
to the back of the palace. John's head was shoved
(08:27):
under the cold stone table. He thought of his words
to the disciples that one morning on the shore.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
John shook his head, laughing at where he was now.
There was no way to decrease more than what he
was about to do. John smiled, closed his eyes, and
allowed the axe to call on his neck. John's head
was handed to Herodius on a silver platter. She had
(08:59):
had her revenge, Yet the glory of John the Baptist
could not be severed. His words, legacy, and memory was
tied up in the person of Jesus. Her petty plan
to rid herself of shame fell flat. The next day
after relishing in her vengeance, she would feel the same
pain and the same shame. Herod and Herodius had used
(09:23):
their power to serve their own flesh. Every debased and
demented desire they had, they followed blindly. They did not
truly understand how power was to be wielded. They did
not understand that the true mark of power was how
it's used to bless the vulnerable. Chapter ten, God or Ghost.
(09:50):
Jesus stamped off the boat on to the sandy shore.
The tide was slowly rising and falling, and the morning
fog lazily slid across the water. Jesus breathed in deeply
and walked a few yards away to seek time with
his father. The other disciples were fast asleep in the boat.
(10:11):
It had been a trying morning, from enduring a storm
to surviving the attack of a legion of demons. However,
in every single moment, Jesus was teaching them to have faith.
Every moment spent with Jesus was a moment purposely pursuing
the kingdom of heaven. The storm had been treacherous, yet
(10:33):
there were greater things they would need to endure. The
demoniac was frightening, yet there would be greater things than
demons to fear. Jesus prayed, and as he arose to
walk back to the boat, he saw a large crowd
forming in the distance. Can't we rest for just one moment,
Nathaniel said, groggily, getting out of the boat.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
These crowds are relentless.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
The other disciples groaned and agreed as they got themselves
out of the boat. Jesus simply smiled and looked to
the large wave of people descending towards the shore. Jesus
turned his gaze towards the rising sun breaking through the fog.
The people were drawn to him because up until now
there had never been anyone who had displayed so much
(11:19):
power with so much love. Everybody wanted a glimpse of
Jesus so they might be filled with hope and enlivened
in their faith. Jesus was greeting the crowds when Jyros,
one of the rulers of the synagogue, wrestled his way
to the front Jesus. He yelled as people bumped into him,
I must speak with Jesus. He was not the only
(11:42):
one who desired to see Jesus, however, he was the
most determined. Jyros drove his legs into the ground and
marched through the crowd. Jesus, please, do you hear me?
He yelled. He looked up towards the middle of the
crowd where Jesus was. Then he was whacked by someone's elbow.
Thrown to the ground, Gyros lay in the dirt, disoriented.
(12:04):
He opened his eyes to find Jesus's hand extended in
front of him. His smile was warm and understanding. Gyros
took his hand and rose to his feet. Jesus, my
little daughter is sick and dying. Please, if you would
just lay your hands on her, I'm sure she would
be made well. Gyros implored. Lead the way, Jesus said,
(12:29):
gesturing forward. Gyros nodded, and the two of them weaved
through the crowds, with the disciples clearing away in front
of them. The crowd was relentlessly grabbing at Jesus. It
took everything for Simon Peter to not clear a path
with his sword. The people were thrashing and chopping like
a great sea. As the crowd pressed into Jesus, there
(12:51):
was a small figure in the corner. It was a
woman following the crowd. She was young, no older than thirty.
She hunched over, grabbing at her stomach As she limped
through the large throng, she could barely stand, constantly keeling
over in pain. Sleepless nights revealed themselves under her eyes.
(13:14):
She was a woman acquainted with suffering. For twelve years,
she had been afflicted with a discharge of blood. Day
and night. She would fight for the will to live.
As each day came and went, her hope diminished until
she heard about Jesus. First she heard he restored a
(13:35):
lame man by the pools of Bethesda. She too was there,
praying to be healed. She waited by the water for hours,
splashing at it in frustration. Her tears must have filled
up half those pools. Then she heard he had healed
a leper. There were eye witnesses of the man's limbs
growing back as soon as Jesus touched him. She began
(13:57):
to wonder if Jesus could ever heal her who Then
there were whispers from name she had heard, rumors of
a man once dead brought back to life. That was
when she knew Jesus was more than just a mysterious
wanderer with tricks. He had power, true power. She could
(14:19):
see Jesus's back as she crawled through the throng of people.
He was there, he was real. Her tired eyes widened
and she picked up her pace. Her crawling turned into
a run, and just as she thought she was close,
a member in the crowd kicked her to the ground.
Trying to get to Jesus. The woman cried out in pain.
(14:40):
The sounds of the people drowned out her screams. Tears
streamed down her face as she lay on the floor.
People stepped over her as they made their way to
the center. She picked herself up to her hands and knees,
only to get kneed in the jaw by another unaware
member of the crowd. She fell face first into the dirt,
(15:01):
blood filling up in her mouth. Her breathing was staggered
and heavy. The pain in her abdomen twisted at her
like a rusty blade. She looked up to see the
stampede of people surrounding Jesus.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
They don't need him like I need him.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
She thought to herself.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
If I can just touch the corner of his robe,
I know I will be healed. That's all it will take.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
The woman picked herself up, holding her side tightly. She
winced in pain, but continued to hobble forward.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
All I need is to be near him, she thought,
just one small glimpse.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
She came closer to the center of the crowd, being
shoved in every direction, she kept her gaze fixed on Jesus.
She did not take her eyes off him.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
Whatever it takes, she.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Whispered to herself. She could field drops of blood running
down her garments. It was beginning again. She felt the
warm blood drip down her leg, leaving a trail behind her.
For twelve years, her ailment had been a source of
shame and anguish. It had isolated her, kept her from marriage,
(16:18):
and sequestered her to a life away from the world. Now,
just a few feet away from her stood her liberation.
The crowd continued to thrash like a wave against a
small vessel. Yet the woman remained steady and on course.
She drove her legs forward, pressing through the pain. Just
(16:38):
one touch, she said, She was mere inches away. She
could see the edge of his garment flowing behind him.
She took her arm away from her side and reached out.
The crowd was relentless, and she could feel jabbing at
her ribs. She didn't care. She was so close, just
as she was inches away from touching him, she was
(17:00):
kicked forward to the crowd. On her way down, she
grazed the edge of Jesus's robe. The thund of her
body hitting the floor was drowned out by the yelling crowd.
She curled up in the dust, writhing in pain. She
watched Jesus walk away with a mob following him. Then
(17:21):
all went dark. Who touched me? Jesus said, turning back
to one of his disciples. The disciples looked at one another, perplexed.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Master, look at this crowd. There was an army of
people here trying to touch you.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Simon the zealot, responded. Jesus shook his head. No, no,
this was different, he said.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
This time, I felt my power go out from me.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Jesus looked around. The entire crowd noticed Jesus looking for someone. However,
in a sea of faces, no one knew who Jesus
was speaking of. The woman sat up, face filled with dust.
She rubbed her eyes and looked forward. The crowd had stopped.
They were looking for some one who touched Jesus. She
(18:06):
heard a man yell. Her eyes widened. She felt around
her stomach. No pain, did it work? She thought. Instead
of excitement, all she felt was fear. Why were they
looking for her? What happened to Jesus? What did she
do wrong? Instead of feeling a sense of elation or joy,
she felt more shame. She was fearful to come forward.
(18:30):
The woman stood to her feet for the first time
in twelve years. She was able to stand up straight. However,
she still walked with her head helt low. She approached
the crowd and fell at the feet of Jesus.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Ah, it was me, my Lord.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Before she could say another word, she burst into tears.
Jesus looked down at her. She was so used to
being in pain that even when healed, she felt guilty.
His heart broke for her. He kneeled down to where
she was, daughter, Jesus said, softly, lift up your eyes.
(19:09):
The woman lifted her head and peered into Jesus's eyes.
People had looked upon her with pity before. However, Jesus's
look was different, and his eyes revealed a deep knowledge
of her pain. He knew what she had endured for
twelve years. He understood replight. She breathed in deeply, Finally
(19:34):
able to cease crying, Jesus smiled and lifted her chin.
Speaker 5 (19:40):
Your faith has made you well. Go in peace and
be healed of your disease.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Before Jesus could stand to his feet, a voice yelled
from behind the crowd.
Speaker 6 (19:50):
Gyrus.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
He yelled, Gyrus, by God, where is Gyrius. Gyrus knew
the sound of that voice. It was Simeon, a man
from his household. Amien, Gyros exclaimed. Dread filled Gyrus's mind.
There could only be one reason he would come so
urgently to find him. Gyros ran to meet him. What
is it, What news do you have? Simeon held his
(20:13):
head low. He could not look Gyros in the eye.
His throat clenched, and he struggled to hold back tears.
She is dead, my lord, he whispered. He looked up
at Gyros, eyes watered by grief.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Do not trouble the teacher anymore.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Your daughter is dead. Gyrus was silent for a moment,
and then looked back at Jesus and then at the
woman on the floor. His face was pale with shock.
They were too late. Jesus had been his last hope,
but this woman had interrupted any chance he had at
(20:52):
saving his daughter. Gyrus was unable to speak. His knees shook,
He felt like vomiting, He felt like screaming, he felt
like weeping until he met his bitter end. Yet before
he could do any of these things, Jesus put his
hand on his shoulder. Gyrus's gaze traveled from his shoulder
(21:16):
to the face of Jesus. He looked at him intently.
Do not fear Gyros, Jesus said, believe in me. Jesus
had his disciples shoe away the crowds. Then he chose Simon, Peter, James,
and John to follow him to Gyrus's house. Gyrus was
still silent. He wanted to believe Jesus. He wanted to
(21:39):
believe all would turn out in the end, yet he
could not fully grasp what had happened. His daughter was dead,
yet death seemed to not be final for Jesus. They
approached the house, there was a commotion in front of
a garden. Mourners dressed in black surrounded the entrance to
(21:59):
the house, weeping and wailing. Their cries were like sorrowful melodies.
Jesus approached them, Why are you all weeping, he asked.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
The child is not dead, He's only sleeping.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
The people in the house were offended by him. They scoffed,
how dare you. We've lost a child and you stand
here telling us she's sleeping. Shame on you. Yet Jesus
paid no attention. He took Gyros and his wife by
the hand. He took them to the upper room where
their daughter lay. Simon, Peter, James, and John trailed behind. Silently.
(22:38):
They watched Jesus lead them up the steps. They reached
the entrance and stopped. Gyros pulled his hand away and
shook his hand. He could not look at his daughter.
He could not bear the pain of seeing her dead.
He put his face in his hands, sobbing. Sir opened
(23:00):
the door softly. He stepped in to see the little
girl laying in her bed. Her face was pale and lifeless.
There was no restless stirring of a dreaming child or
sounds of her soft breathing. There was no life in
the room. Jesus approached her bedside and knelt down. He
(23:23):
took her small, cold hand in his hands. He stroked
her hair gently. Her mother and father wept at the entrance,
unable to step forward. Jesus looked at the little girl
with love. He remembered her. He knew every hair on
(23:43):
her head. He knew her hopes and dreams for the future.
He even knew what she had named her dolls, talitha comie,
Jesus whispered, which.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Means little girl, I say to you for eyes.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Then, as if she was waking from a deep sleep,
the girl opened her eyes. She stretched in her bed
under her covers and yawned. Her mother and father burst
into the room and fell at her side. Jesus stepped
aside and smiled. The two parents were sobbering, and the
little girl had trouble understanding what had happened. Jesus gestured
(24:23):
for Simon, Peter, James, and John to leave. He followed
them out. Before leaving, he poked his head through the
door and said.
Speaker 5 (24:31):
Make sure she gets something to eat. She must be hungry.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
The little girl smiled. Jesus winked back and left with
his disciples. Jesus passed on from there. Simon, Peter, James,
and John trailed behind him, dumbfounded at what they had
just seen. No matter how many miracles they had witnessed,
it was still amazing every time Jesus somehow was able
(24:57):
to give himself to every one, yet seem unrushed and
at peace. He walked not only with the power of God,
but also with the peace of God. They followed him
outside the city, when all of a sudden they heard
more voices crying out to him. Two blind men stood
shoulder to shoulder, following close behind them.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
Son of David, They shouted, have mercy on us.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Jesus looked back and paused. He waited for them to
draw near. Before they could walk past him, he embraced them.
Speaker 5 (25:32):
Do you believe that I am able to heal you?
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Jesus asked them, Yes, Lord, They responded, shaking in place
out of excitement. Jesus loved that they anticipated healing from him.
For them, it was not a matter of whether Jesus
was able to heal them or not, but a matter
of whether it was a part of his will. He
touched their eyes with his hands.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
Well, then, let it be done according to your faith.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
And as Jesus said this, the darkness that had plagued
them for years was stripped away by bursting light. Coming
into focus. Through that light was the face of Jesus.
He smiled and told them to keep what they had
experienced a secret. However, their joy was overflowing to the brim.
As they left Jesus's presence, they proclaimed his mighty works
(26:24):
throughout the city. A truly transformed life could not keep
a secret for long. The multitudes grew, and soon more
than five thousand people gathered to hear Jesus teach. They
followed him into the hills outside Galilee. Jesus once again
used the opportunity to preach about the Kingdom of God.
(26:46):
His prose was enchanting and his philosophy was steady. There
was no teacher like him. He commanded the thousands, and
they hung on every word he said. As soon as
he finished, he turned to Philip and said, how much.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
Would it cost to feed these people? Surely we cannot
leave them to travel home hungry.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Philip laughed, thinking Jesus was joking. He saw the seriousness
on Jesus's face and composed himself. He cleared his throat
and said.
Speaker 6 (27:17):
A six month's wage would not be enough to feed
this many people. Jesus.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Jesus ignored his replies. He scammed the crowd as a
shepherd would his sheep.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
I believe I saw a young boy here who had
about five barley loaves and two fish, Andrew said, other
than that, I have not seen any food in the
whole crowd.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Philip shook his head.
Speaker 6 (27:39):
Ah, yes, perfect, a boy's mother packed his lunch. Shall
we have all five thousand people for him a line?
Or maybe they could all take turns nibbling on the
end of the.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Fish like rodents, Philip joked. Jesus playfully slapped Philip's back.
Speaker 5 (27:54):
Perfect, he exclaimed, Have the people sit down to eat.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Jesus then walked forward to go find the boy. The
disciples exchanged looks with one another, as they often did.
It was a very common occurrence for them to feel
like they were following a lunatic. However, every single time,
Jesus proved himself to be exactly who he said he was.
(28:19):
After all, God did not always work in conventional ways.
He had the Israelites march around a wall seven times
before it came crumbling down. He used a fish to
swallow a man for three days to teach him a lesson.
He made a donkey speak to rebuke a prophet. All
of these things seemed like foolishness, but ultimately fulfilled the
(28:43):
purposes of God. So the disciples simply shrugged and seated.
All five thousand people into smaller groups. The afternoon sun
was just beginning its descent across the sky. Its rays
shone on the multitude sitting in the grassy hills below.
The light breeze dulled the harshness of the warm beams.
(29:06):
People were content to sit in groups, waiting to see
what Jesus would do next. There was a joyous anticipation
for how he would proceed. Some looked up in the sky,
wondering if Jesus would send manna down from heaven as
the disciples see to the people. Jesus approached the boy
with five loaves and two fish. He knelt down and
(29:29):
met him at eye level. Jesus greeted him and gestured
towards the loaves and fish.
Speaker 5 (29:36):
You are very smart to pack food for.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
Yourself, Jesus said, with a smile.
Speaker 5 (29:40):
How would you feel about sharing these with everyone else?
Speaker 2 (29:43):
The boy looked down at his food. He was hungry
and didn't see much point in sharing when it wouldn't
feed all the people anyway. How will this be enough,
the boy.
Speaker 5 (29:53):
Asked, I feel like this is too small to make
a difference.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Jesus grinned from ear to ear, But you see, all
things are possible with God.
Speaker 5 (30:02):
Whatever little you may have, he can use it.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
The boy looked at his meal one more time, then
gave it to Jesus. Thank you, Jesus said. He walked
up the hill with the five loves and two fish,
gesturing for his disciples to fetch baskets along the way.
Jesus raised the food high in the air for all
to see. He blessed the food and thanked God for
(30:28):
the abundance. A few of the disciples rolled their eyes.
Then Jesus broke up the bread into pieces and distributed
them in the baskets. He did the same with the fish.
Here we are, Jesus said.
Speaker 5 (30:42):
Now pass the food out to people. They've waited long enough.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
The disciples tucked the baskets. They were light at first,
nearly empty as they began passing out pieces to the
groups sitting in the grass. However, with each person they passed,
the basket became heavier and heavier. It was as if
three new pieces were placed in for every piece that
was passed out. Eventually, the disciples were dragging the baskets
(31:08):
to each group. Every person had their fill of bread
and fish. Jesus swept out, admiring the laughter over food.
He knew the importance of a full belly and good company.
The disciples made their way up the hill, heaving the
baskets up behind them. After all had been fed, they
(31:29):
still had baskets of leftover food. They finally made it
up to Jesus, gasping for air. Matthew and Judas lay
on the grass, laughing at how tired they were. They
had managed to feed over five thousand people with just
two fish and five measly barley loaves. All the crowd
(31:50):
watched as Jesus was able to bless an entire sea
of people with the generosity of one boy. He demonstrated
that God does not need excess to use people for
his glory. He uses the small and the insignificant things
of this world to prove his power. He blessed thousands
(32:12):
with the faithfulness of one. The boy with two fish
and five laws served as a reminder to every disciple
that God is able to use anything to accomplish his purposes.
The people stood and cheered. They had seen Jesus heal
the lame and give sight to the blind. However, now
(32:33):
they had seen him make food appear out of thin air.
This caused them to rave even more. He should be
made king. They exclaimed, nobody will ever hunger again. They
shouted down with Caesar, let Jesus arise and give us bread.
They chanted. As the crowds lifted their voices, they stormed
(32:53):
up the hill to grab hold of Jesus to make
him king. Jesus knew that if he stayed one minute longer,
the crowd would overtake him and force him to be
their king. They were desperate to be fed and taken
care of. However, they missed the true purpose of Jesus's miracle.
He did not simply desire to feed people. He desired
(33:16):
to showcase their potential in every person to make a difference.
He desired to showcase God's power. However, the people were
intent on making him king. Jesus grabbed his disciples and
told them to board their boat and leave. They would
not be safe for the crowd growing more violent. Jesus
(33:37):
watched the disciples run down the hill towards the sea.
Then he withdrew behind a few stones and retreated up
the mountain to be alone with God. There he sat
in the presence of his father for hours. The disciples
floated out in the open waters, watching the sun gracefully
(33:57):
descend past the horizon. As the night drew closer, the
waters began to stir. A bone chilling wind blew across
the water, and the moon was hidden behind the incoming fog.
All night, the disciples shivered and huddled together to hide
from the wind. It was sharp against their faces and
(34:19):
blew from two sides of the sea. Its noise was
like a rumbling voice calling out from the deep. The
sea seemed to moan in agony, like a tormented saul.
The men became frightened that they were not alone in
the open waters. They could sense the presence of another
behind the fog. The wind continued to murmur as the
(34:43):
boat creaked back and forth. Thaddeus looked out into the
dense fog in the distance. He saw a figure walking
towards them over the waters. He rubbed his eyes and
peered closer. The figure was drawing closer. He jumped back
from the edge of the boat and stumbled into a
few of the other disciples. Thaddeus could not believe his eyes.
Speaker 6 (35:07):
It's it's a ghost.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
The others began to panic. Thaddeus pointed into the distance.
A silhouetted figure was making its way toward them.
Speaker 6 (35:16):
God, have mercy on us. It's a ghost.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Row, James yelled, Row for your lives. The disciples took
different paddles as Andrew let loose the mainsail. However, the
wind was too violent for them to make any progress.
Panic began to sit in. They were trapped in a
prison of wind, doomed to be devoured by a ghost
of the sea. Then a voice called out from the fog.
Speaker 5 (35:39):
Take heart, my friends, it shouted, it is I. Do
not be afraid.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
The men leaned over to the edge of the boat.
Emerging from the fog, they could see Jesus walking on
water towards them. He walked firmly against the moving sea,
maintaining poise with each step. Simon Peter was the most
He had been a man of the sea his entire life.
(36:04):
His father and his father's father were all fishermen. Never
before had he witnessed such a thing. His heart began
to raise. The thought of being one with the water
was enticing. He looked up at Jesus. He could see
his confidence as he stood on the moving swell. Lord
Simon Peter said.
Speaker 6 (36:26):
If it is you, command me to come out to you.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
The freezing winds were relentless against Simon Peter's face, yet
his gaze remained fixed on his Lord. Come then, Jesus said.
He opened out his arms and beckoned Simon Peter to
step out. He sat on the vessel's edge, refusing to
look down at the water. Instead, he kept his sight
(36:51):
on Jesus like a lighthouse. Simon Peter could hear the
rushing waters chop underneath the boat. He breathed in deeply,
nodding to Jesus. Then, in a moment of pure faith,
he jumped out, with his legs extended. His heart stopped beating.
For that brief moment, he was air borne, fully prepared
(37:14):
to be submerged in water and thrashing under the surf. However,
he landed firmly on the top of the waters, standing
as if on a pillow of grass. The disciples gasped
in awe. Simon Peter refused to look down at his feet.
He refused to look back at the others. Instead, he
looked longingly at his master in front of him. Every
(37:37):
step was a rush, the wind howled, and the seas
raged around him. Yet there was this brief and beautiful
moment of him walking where no man had walked before.
Simon Peter walked towards Jesus as his son went to
his father. However, his pace was interrupted as a gust
of wind raged against his face. His gaze was thrown
(38:01):
off Jesus, and all of a sudden, Simon Peter was
gravely aware of his surroundings. He looked at the violent
waves thrashing around him. He listened to the sharp shrieks
of the wind. Then he looked down to see the
deep abyss gazing.
Speaker 4 (38:18):
Up at him.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Simon Peter felt the support of his feet give way
as he dropped into the cold blackness. He was consumed
by the waters and sank deep into the belly of
the ocean. Simon Peter kicked his legs and stroked his
arms upwards, trying to reach the top. He emerged from
underneath the water, only to be buried by another wave.
(38:43):
The impact left a ringing in his ears. He was
almost sure he would die. He emerged again, not sure
if he had the strength to continue swimming. In his hysteria,
he was able to spare a few breaths to cry
out to Jesus in a moment of complete despair, he
spoke one of the most powerful prayers ever, uttered a
(39:05):
prayer that would echo into eternity. His cry for help
reached straight to the heart of God and changed the
course of his life. Surrounded by waves and gasping for air,
he looked up and shouted, Jesus, save me. Then he
sank below the surface. All was silent as Simon Peter
(39:29):
descended into the deep. He peered up at the small
sliver of moonlight above. He wondered if this would be
the end of his journey, would the greatest moment of
his life be followed by his demise. He knew Jesus
was above him. He could see the silhouette of his
feet resting on the surface of the waters. Then two
(39:51):
arms reached down and grabbed Simon Peter from the depths.
It was as if the arms of God burst through
the heavens into the dark world below. He grabbed Simon
Peter and lifted him out of the darkness. Simon Peter
was lifted through the water into the arms of Jesus.
(40:13):
He carried him to the boat and placed him gently inside.
Simon Peter looked over his shoulder. The fog had cleared,
and the wind ceased its howling. The horizon lit up
with bright orange as the sun rose above the shore light.
All the disciples looked at Jesus. The sea was as
(40:33):
still as glass now, and Simon Peter wept tears of joy.
He turned his face to Jesus. His gaze warmed him
more than the sun itself. His face was blue and
his entire body shivered. Truly, you are the Sun of God,
he whispered. Then he fell into a deep sleep. Simon
(40:58):
Peter's experience showcased the human experience in its entirety. His fear, worry,
and doubt were quickly replaced with joy and thrill. As
he walked towards Jesus. However, he lost sight and fell
deep into despair. He thrashed, swam, and gasped for air.
(41:20):
Yet he could not save himself in his own strength.
He needed an intervention. He needed a rescue from above
the waves. While Simon Peter was a victim of the ocean,
Jesus walked above it, And while humanity was victim to
sin and death, Jesus would rise above it.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
They did not understand that the true mark of power
is how it is used to bless the vulnerable. This
was the prevailing theme in this episode. How is strength
supposed to be wielded? What is the purpose behind privilege?
And how do we leverage our power? Jesus, having ultimate
power and authority, used it to bless the sick, needy,
and vulnerable. The purpose of putting the story of John's
(42:10):
death in the prelude was to highlight the contrast between
King Herod and Jesus. While Herod and his household were
indulgent and leverage their authority for evil, Jesus was continually
using his position to bless those in need. This began
with Jarus's daughter and the woman who was sick. Both
of them came to him in desperation. Instead of shirking
(42:32):
them off to address the crowd of worshippers, Jesus paid
attention to their needs. This is an important point for
us to remember. While Jesus did come to save the world,
that does not mean he doesn't consider you personally. Your
problems are not too small for him, and your needs
are on his mind. We can learn a lot from
(42:52):
Jiros and the woman. They truly understood the power of
Jesus and desperately sought him. However, both of them approached
him very differently. Jyrs pushed through the crowd and yelled
to get Jesus's attention. He was desperate for his daughter's
sake and didn't care who he offended in the pursuit
of Christ. The woman was more timid and ashamed. She
knew all it would take was a touch. She was
(43:15):
quietly determined to be close to him and fort tooth
and nailed to just graze the size of his garment.
Both these individuals met Jesus in different ways, and both
were profoundly blessed. These interactions remind us that we have
the freedom to honestly seek out help when we desperately needed.
There was also a foreshadowing early in this episode. Did
(43:37):
you notice it? The woman kept her gaze fixed on Jesus.
She didn't take her eyes off him. This was a
subtle foreshadowing of Simon Peter walking on water when his
eyes turned away from Jesus and he began to sink.
The crowd that surrounded the woman was like the winds
and the wave. She remained steadfast and continued her pursuit
(43:58):
of Jesus despite being knocked down. The woman's faith and
Simon Peter's faith are put in contrast to one another
and remind us that, no matter what the circumstances may be,
we must keep our eyes locked on Jesus. After healing
the woman and bringing Jyrus's daughter back from the dead,
Jesus encounters two blind men. They call on him by
(44:20):
invoking the name David, son of David. They shouted, have
mercy on us. We hear this title given to Jesus often.
What does that mean? If you listen to our series
on the Life of David, you may understand a little
more about what this title means. God promised that the
Messiah would come from the lineage of King David. David
(44:40):
was a forerunner for the one true King of Israel.
The blind men calling Jesus son of David, acknowledged his
divine duty as the promised redeemer of Israel. To put
it simply, these men were calling him King Jesus. There
were several times in this episode that people either called
Jesus a king or called for him to become their king.
(45:02):
Jesus was and is a king, but he is not
the king anyone expected. He did not come to lead
armies like Saul slay giants like David, or build wealth
like Solomon. He came to serve and save the souls
of mankind. Healing the sick, giving sight to the blind,
and feeding the hungry were all pictures of what He
(45:22):
wanted to do with our hearts. This episode eventually took
us to the famous Feeding of the five thousand. It
is important to note back then that they didn't count
women and children, so five thousand most likely meant ten
to fifteen thousand. The most absurd part of this story
is that the only one who thought to bring food
was a small boy. But that's neither here nor there.
(45:45):
This miracle turning just a few loads of bread and
a couple of fish into a meal for thousands teaches
us a valuable lesson. It demonstrated that God does not
need excess to use people for his glory. He uses
the small and insignificant thing of this world to prove
his power. He blessed thousands with the faithfulness of one.
(46:06):
The boy with two fish and five lows serves as
a reminder to every disciple that God is able to
use anything to accomplish his purpose. Perhaps you feel like
you don't have much to offer God, perhaps you feel
at the end of yourself, tired and lacking strength. Jesus
doesn't need flashy talent or riches to perform miracles. All
(46:27):
he needs is faithfulness. Whatever you have to give, give
it your awe. Even in your weakest moments, God is
able to display strength. This episode ended with God's strength
on display. The Disciples were once again toss to and
fro by the wind and the waves. However, Jesus was
standing above the waves, walking toward them. Remember the last
(46:49):
episode when we talked about the imagery of water in
the Bible, Unruly and stormy waters are supposed to be
an image of the chaos and darkness of the world.
So what is the significance of Jesus walking on top
of the storm and Simon Peter sinking? This scene is
telling us that Jesus has power over the things that
consume us. While Simon Peter was tossed by the wind,
(47:13):
Jesus was steady and unwavering. Simon Peter took his eyes
off Jesus and found himself being swallowed up by the
dark abyss. Let's go back to the scene and relive
the intensity Simon Peter felt. The support of his feet
give way as he dropped into the cold blackness. He
was consumed by the waters and sank deep into the
(47:33):
belly of the ocean. Simon Peter kicked his legs and
stroked his arms upward, trying to reach the top. He
emerged from underneath the water, only to be buried by
another wave. The impact left a ringing in his ears.
He was almost sure he would die. He emerged again,
not sure if he had the strength to continue swimming.
(47:53):
In his hysteria, he was able to spare a few
breaths to cry out to Jesus. In a moment of
complete despair, he spoke one of the most powerful prayers ever, uttered,
a prayer that would echo into eternity. His cry for
help reached straight to the heart of God and change
the course of his life. Surrounded by waves and gasping
(48:13):
for air, he looked up and shouted, Jesus save me.
This is the shortest prayer in all scripture, but it
is the most profound. Not all prayers need to be
long and deep. Some of the most effective and honest
prayers come from a sigh of pain or a shout
of desperation. Jesus Save Me is a prayer. You can
(48:35):
pray as well. If you find yourself lost, hopeless, and alone,
you can reach out to God and ask to be saved.
Make this prayer a priority this week. What storms are
you caught in? What sins are you stuck in? Shout
to Jesus and he will wrap you in his arms.
In our next episode, the glory of Christ will be
(48:56):
revealed in splendor. Join us next time for episode e
left Behold and Beware. Thanks again for listening. For more
inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com. And to expand your heroes
in the Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith
devotional at Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Share this
(49:19):
podcast with a family member or friend so they can
know Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know
how great of an impact the Bible on this podcast
can have on someone's life. God bless
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