The People Longed to See Jesus

By Mary Vee
Mark 6, Matthew 14

Peter 

Near the area where Jesus fed the 5,000.
Northern area, up a high hill, The Sea of Galilee
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am one of Jesus' disciples.

We twelve disciples and Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee last night and weighed anchor on the northwest shores at the city of Gennesaret this morning.

While out on the water, we saw crowds of people swarming to the shore and expected their greetings. Why? Because of Jesus. He'd fed 5000 people only the day before and the news had traveled. 

Over these many months, He has healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, the blind to see and ordered demons to leave those infirmed.

The people who came to the shore to greet us desperately cared about their loved ones who needed help and were willing to carry them wherever Jesus happened to be. Longing for a simple moment with Him. And while their first interest was the healing of their child or father, they also heard the teachings of God while with Him.

Jesus walked throughout the region teaching truths about His Father. Because he had healed those in need, family members brought their lame and blind and sick loved ones and sat them on mats. Everyone had a chance to hear Jesus' teachings, not just the healthy. Then with the compassion we'd known Jesus to have, He healed the loved ones.

Jesus walked into the countryside into small villages, and towns sharing the teachings of His Father to everyone. In those places, the people begged him to let them touch a tiny piece of his garment. 

Every time I watched another person healed, I marveled. The family smiled and rejoiced. The sick person rose up, well. 

Jesus cares for the people like no other man we have seen before. As I saw out on the sea, when my feet slipped into the water and he caught me, this man truly is the Son of God. Only He has the power to heal people. Only He knows the words of God to teach us. He is the promised Messiah.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.