What Jesus Gives To Those Who Believe

By Mary Vee
John 10

Peter

The Temple-Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

Autumn is nearly over. December has come. It was about 197 years ago when Judas Maccabaeus began the celebration called Dedication, later called Hanukkah. 

This is a feast held in December to remember the refurbishing and opening of the temple after Antiochus Epiphanes ruined the grounds and building in168 BC.

The person who took the photo is unknown. The photo
courtesy goes to this individual who posted this winter photo
of the Western Wall on the Spirit of Israel Facebook page.

Hanukkah is an eight day feast held in Jerusalem. Jews travel from all over Israel to attend. 

It is at this time that I begin today's story. 

Photo courtesy: ebibleTeacher.com

I found Jesus in the Temple area, walking in Solomon's Colonnade. A group of Jews gathered around him. Their leader said, "How long will you keep us in suspense? Are you or are you not the Christ? Tell us plainly.

Jesus said, "I did tell you, but you do not believe me. The miracles I have done in my Father's name speak for me. You don't believe because you do not follow me as a sheep would his master. 





"My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give each one eternal life. None will ever perish. Neither can anyone snatch them from me.

"My Father, the One who has given me my sheep, is greater than all. No one can snatch my sheep out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

Inside the Temple, a room for females only-
Photo by Mary Vee

Although Jesus answered their question, they became angry. They bent low and picked up stones to hurl at him.


Jesus said, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. Which one of these gives you a reason to stone me?"

Their leader said, "We are not stoning you for any of those. We will stone you for blasphemy, though. You are a mere man and yet you claim to be God."

"Then don't believe me if I do not do what the Father does. 

"But, if I do these things, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father."

The men lunged toward Jesus, grabbing for Him, but He escaped their grasp.

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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

The Coin In the Fish's Mouth

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Sea of Galilee shore at
Capernaum. Photo by Mary Vee

I am a disciple of Jesus.

We walked with Jesus through Galilee. He led us on a route that kept us away from where the crowds typically gathered. He said He wanted to spend time teaching only us.

He stopped in a place where we could all face Him and sat on the ground. 

Jesus said, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."

He'd said a similar message to us before. We didn't understand it then. I'm sad to say that even with the time we've spent under his training, we still didn't understand the message. 

He was a leader who could save us. 

I think we all were afraid to ask him about it. Not that he would be cruel, but that he would be disappointed in us.

We walked farther, on to Capernaum where my home is, which explains why the tax collectors of the two-drachma tax came to me and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes," I answered. "He does. It will be taken care of."

When I walked into the house, Jesus spoke before I had a chance to tell him what had happened. 

"What do you think, Simon?" Jesus sometimes called me Simon. "Who do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes? From their own sons or from others?"

"From others," I answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth. There you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

I did as Jesus said. I went down to the lake and threw in my line. It didn't take more than a breath before the line jiggled. I opened the mouth of the first fish. My surprise at finding a four-drachma coin was not that I doubted Jesus' words, but because it was amazing to see God's provision. I took the coin and delivered it to the tax collectors as Jesus said.

I don't think I will ever not be amazed at miracles that Jesus does. It stirs a happy sensation that makes me want to praise Him all the more. 

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

The Man Who said, "Help My Unbelief."

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee, Israel near the mountain

I am a disciple of Jesus.

James, John, and I walked down the mountain with Jesus and joined the other disciples. 

A large crowd had gathered around them. Teachers of the law were also there. The teachers argued with the nine disciples who had been left behind.

The people who had been listening to the arguing saw Jesus approaching his disciples. They seemed overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

Jesus asked them, "What are you arguing about?"

A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought my son to see you. He is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of his speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground." The man's sadness turned to pleading. "My son foams at the mouth, he gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid to the point I can't help him." I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." He sighed. "This is what they have been arguing about."

Jesus looked at the disciples and the teachers and said, "O unbelieving generation." The nine disciples looked down at the ground. "How long must I stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

The man went back and brought his son to Jesus. When the spirit in the boy saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

The crowd stepped back, afraid, yet curious.

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

The father closed his eyes, overcome with sadness. "From childhood. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything for my son, please take pity on us and help him."

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

The father's sadness immediately turned to hope. "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief."

Jesus looked up at the crowd drawing closer. He turned back to the boy. "You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, leave him and never enter him again."

The spirit shrieked a horrible sound so loud we covered our ears. The spirit caused the boy to convulse violently then it left him. 

The boy lay still on the ground. He looked dead, so much so, many from the crowd said, "He's dead."

Jesus took the boy by the hand and lifted him to his feet. He then stood by himself. He looked at the people standing near him and smiled. "Father, I am well!"

While the crowd stayed close to the boy, Jesus led the other disciples and me indoors. I must admit, I was as curious as the others why the nine disciples couldn't help the boy, so we asked.

Jesus said, "You have so little faith. Believe me when I say if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Trust me, nothing will be impossible for you. This boy's issue could only be helped with sincere prayer."

That night when I slept, I continued thinking about that boy and how Jesus helped him. I knew then that had I been one of the nine in that situation I wouldn't have been able to help him either. I prayed, asking God to help my unbelief.

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

Beware of Those Who Try to Persuade You

By Mary Vee
Mark 8, Matthew 16

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
See of Galilee where they sailed in today's story

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I arrived with Jesus by boat on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee. 

When we stepped out of the vessel, a group of Pharisees and Sadducees walked up to Jesus. They said they wanted to ask Him some questions. He allowed them to ask.

"Jesus, show us a sign from heaven."

The look in their eyes, that squinty look, showed they only wanted to cause trouble. 

Jesus said, "When the evening comes, you look at the sky and sometimes see red. When you do, you say, 'It will be fair weather.' In the morning, you look at the sky and maybe see a red sky and thickening clouds. When you do, you say, 'It will be stormy.' You know how to interpret the appearances of the sky, but you can't interpret the signs of the times. Look around you. A wicked generation wants miraculous signs for entertainment. I tell you, no such sign will be given except the sign of Jonah." 

Jesus didn't wait for them to say another word. He turned and walked away. "Come," he said to us. "We are getting back in the boat. I have business on the other side."

We climbed back in our boat and set sail. While out on the water. we became hungry. We searched our stores and found only one loaf of bread. 

Jesus said, "Be careful. Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 

We didn't understand what he meant. We talked among ourselves and assumed he referred to the lack of bread. 

Jesus said, "Why are you talking about not having bread? Don't you see or understand what I say? Are your hearts so hard you can't see the meanings? Don't you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand people how many basketfuls of pieces you picked up?"

Of course, we knew. "Twelve," we answered him. 

"And don't you remember when I broke seven loaves for four thousand people? How many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"

We said, "Seven."

Jesus said, "You saw these miracles and still you don't understand what I meant? Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

That was when we understood he wasn't telling us to watch out for real yeast in bread but to watch out for the wrong teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

I was embarrassed for not figuring that out. But the more I am with Jesus and hear Him teach, the more I understand. And for that, I am so thankful.

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

They Needed Healing. They Needed Food. In the Land of Jordan

By Mary Vee
Mark 8, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
The country of Jordan which is the modern day country
on the eastern side of the Jordan River
where today's event takes place. 

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I walked with Jesus along the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee and visited the villages there. This was the land of the Decapolis, the Ten Cities. 

We spent several days in the area, listening to Jesus' teachings. We met many people, some who had traveled great distances to see Him. There were men, women, and children who needed healing, sometimes physically, but all spiritually.

Jesus never walked away from them. He welcomed anyone who wanted to listen.

Each day the number of people who came to hear Jesus speak grew. One day a very large crowd had gathered. They'd listen to Him speak most of the day. Some had been there for three days. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called to us and said, "I have compassion for these people. They have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way. Some have traveled a long distance."

The other disciples and I looked around. As you can see from the photo, we stood in a remote area with no markets and no fields. "Jesus, where can anyone get enough bread to feed these people here?"

Jesus said, "How many loaves do you have?"

We quickly counted. "Seven."

Jesus turned to the crowd and asked them to sit on the ground. He asked for the seven loaves, raised his head and thanked His Father for the food. He then broke the loaves into pieces and gave them to us to serve the people. And we did.

We found a few fish in our stores as well and gave them to Jesus. He also gave thanks for the fish then asked us to distribute the meat among the people.

Everyone who was there received food! They ate and said they'd had plenty.

When my disciple brothers and all the people finished eating, we gathered up the left overs, filling seven baskets with broken pieces that hadn't been eaten. And yes, Jesus ate too.

We looked at the crowd that had gathered and estimated four thousand men were present. This did not include women and children. 

At the end of the meal, Jesus asked the people to leave. 

We boarded a boat and sailed west across the Sea of Galilee to the region of Dalmanutha which is southwest from Capernaum.

Did I ever get tire of going from place to place as Jesus' disciple? No. This is now the second year I've followed Jesus. Every day, every moment I spend with Jesus is like having my soul's hunger satisfied.

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

Their Happiness Spilled Into Praises to the God of Israel

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps plus added notations

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I went with Jesus to Tyre where he met a woman who had a sick child. You can read what happened in the last post. Scroll down.

The next day we walked up through Sidon then turned east and south into the area of the Ten Cities: Damascus and eight major cities to the east of the Jordan River, and one on the western bank of the Jordan River.

In one city, some men brought their dear friend to Jesus. The friend was deaf and could hardly speak. The men begged Jesus to place his hand on their friend. 

Jesus took the friend and the men who brought him a distance from the crowd. Once they were alone, He put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. Jesus looked up to heaven. He heaved a deep sigh then said to the man, "Ephphatha," which is translated: be opened. 

Instantly, the man's eyes went wide. He touched his ears and turned his head at every sound. Even faint ones. Then--he spoke as plainly as I would. "I can hear! I can talk," he shouted. His friends hugged him. They laughed. They patted him on the back and rejoiced.

Jesus then said, "Don't tell anyone what has happened." But the more Jesus asked, the more the men and their friend told people. It wasn't out of cruelty. They were just so happy they couldn't keep the good news a secret. 

The crowds that heard their news were overwhelmed and amazed. They said, "Jesus has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

It didn't take long before masses of people came to the area bringing loved ones who were lame, blind, crippled, mute and with many other issues. They laid them at Jesus' feet.

Compassion poured out of Jesus for these people. He healed the ones brought to Him. 

Men and women stood amazed when they saw the mute speak, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind clearly seeing. As they watched. Their happiness spilled into praises to the God of Israel. It was a great time of rejoicing.

And--it was a time I will never ever forget. 

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

What Great Faith Can Do

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps plus added notations

I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus said it was time to leave the Capernaum area after the issue with the Pharisees. You can read about it in the last post.

We, Jesus' disciples, followed Him northwest to the Mediterranean Shore to the area of Tyre and Sidon.

We went into a house. Jesus had chosen not to tell the people who lived there who He was at that time. But, He must have been noticed. The word spread that he was there, drawing men and women to come see Him.

A woman who lived in the area, a Canaanite, came to visit Jesus. Once she saw him she cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Jesus didn't say anything.

She continued to cry out, calling attention to herself. The other disciples and I were unsure what to do, but it seemed we needed to get this woman to leave. We went to Jesus and asked him, "Should we send her away? She keeps crying out and creating such a scene."

Jesus said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

The woman pressed closer to Jesus. She knelt before him and cried out, "Lord, help me!"

Jesus said, "It's not right to take the bread that belongs to one's own children and toss it to their dogs."

The woman said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Jesus smiled, "Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted." 

The woman left and when she went home, she found her daughter had been healed and that it had happened at the same hour Jesus had spoken to her.

As Jesus disciple, I have learned that everything He says and does has importance. This woman was not an Israelite, yet her faith in Jesus as the one who could heal had given her what she asked.

Jesus once said, "Ask and you will receive." But he didn't mean it in a way that we could have whatever we wanted. We need faith like this woman, and our purpose must be to bring praise to God. That is why Jesus healed the woman's daughter.

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.

When His Hometown Rejected Him

By Mary Vee
Mark 9

From Mark's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Taken in Israel

My name is Mark. I was among the crowd watching what Jesus the teacher said and did each day, standing with his close disciples, witnessing the most amazing miracles, and hearing teachings filled with such wisdom.

Only moments ago, Jesus healed some blind men. Seeing the joy fill these men, giving them new life, reminded me why I wanted to follow Jesus.

While we were going out of a house, a man was brought to Jesus, guided by others. The one who needed help was demon-possessed and could not talk.

Jesus took pity on the man and cast the demon out, freeing him of his torment. 

When the crowds witnessed this action, they said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." They longed to hear him speak and to see more miracles.

Near that same crowd, a group of Pharisee stood. Their faces had anger. They said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."

Well, that just didn't make any sense. Why would the prince of demons want his own demons cast out. I laughed quietly, not wanting to stir the Pharisees' anger.

Jesus didn't comment to them this time. He often spoke to the Pharisees about their focus on themselves. He left the city and walked to his hometown, Nazareth. Those dedicated to following Jesus's teachings went with him there. 

On the Sabbath day, Jesus entered the synagogue and sat. At the time for teachings, He stood and taught the people wisdom from God. 

The people were so surprised at what He said. "Where did this man get these words? What's this wisdom that has been given to him that he even does miracles? It couldn't be true. Isn't this the carpenter? He's just a carpenter. What right does He have to speak like this? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? What makes him any better than us thinking he can teach us these things?"

The people continued saying rude and offensive words about Jesus for a time. 

Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 

Although Jesus wanted to help the sick and hurting people in his hometown, he couldn't do more than put his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And even those few did not have a strong faith like Jairus, or the woman healed by touching his garment, or the blind men that he'd healed yesterday near Capernaum.

 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.


*********************************************************************************************

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.