Through Pressing Crowds They Wanted to Touch His Garment

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 3,

From Matthew's Journal 

Sea of Galilee, Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

We followed Jesus to the lake to get away from the large crowds. Word had spread about Jesus healing the sick. It seemed as though the entire country came to visit Him, asking for healing.

There were people who came from Tyre and Sidon over on the Mediterranean Sea, from cities on the other side of the Jordan River, Judea, Jerusalem, and far south of Jerusalem in Idumea.

Jesus looked at the growing number of people and said to us, "We will need to have a small boat ready to keep the people from crowding me into the water."

None of us could blame the people. Most had traveled long distances with their loved ones who had great needs. They saw he had healed many, and that simply touching Jesus brought healing to the sick. The crowds pushed, not like as in fighting, but as in strongly wanting to get close enough to Jesus to touch even his garment.

When those came who were possessed by evil spirits, we heard the spirits cry out, "You are the Son of God." Jesus faced the spirits and gave them strict orders not to say who he was."

I know, I wondered why He said that, too, until Jesus reminded us of Isaiah's prophecy:

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, I am delighted by Him.

I have put my Spirit on Him, by this He will judge the nations.

He won't scream, or yell, or cry out for people to hear in the streets.

What is bruised or bent, He will not break

He won't blow out a smoldering candle--rather he will lead justice to victory.

Nations will put their hope in His name. 

So, we kept a boat close by knowing that at some point the crowds would press Jesus toward the water...not to harm Him. They just wanted to touch Him. At that point, he'd get in the boat and speak to them from there.

You need to know that our country is not under the control of the Jews. The Romans have a strong arm, the Greeks had their influence, and many of our people long for someone to come and rescue our country from those who force us to become like them. We are seeking someone to save us from these controlling powers.


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Author's note: what they didn't realize at the time was Jesus was the Savior, but he would not save them from the temporary political problems and turmoil, he give the only way for eternal life. 

Come back to read the next story.

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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.

Zechariah-On That Day There Will be One Lord.

By Mary Vee
Zechariah 9-11

From Zechariah's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Zechariah. I am a prophet, which means God trusts me to give His message to His people.

The last words I left with you told of the coming Messiah. In my time, we looked forward to His coming. But in your time, you will already know that the Messiah came. You can match the words of the One who came with the words the Almighty told me to write.

The Almighty gave me more to tell you. This is of a different time.

"Then the Lord will go out and fight against the nations who have attacked Jerusalem. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 

"Those who run away will go through my mountain valley, for it will take them to Azel. They will run as they ran away from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah. Then the Lord will come to them, and all the holy ones with him.

"On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light.

"On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter..

"The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

"Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Anyone who does not come will have no rain.

"On that day Holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty."


From Mary Vee- This passage is telling us about the days to come. God recorded this information here in Zechariah, Revelation, and in other books. Many Bible scholars have studied these passages and have shared what they have learned. These days have not come yet. But like the people living during the Old Testament time who had to believe and trust that the Messiah would come (and he later did), so also we need to believe and trust that these days described by Zechariah will come--because they will. God said so.

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sources: New International Version  
Wasn't this amazing?? In this prophet's books in the Old Testament we see news of the coming end times.

1. What news about the coming end times did you find?

Daniel-Seventy Sevens

By Mary Vee
Daniel 9

From Daniel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Daniel. I am a prophet of God and a prisoner in the land of Babylon with many other Jews.

I was in the middle of praying to God, asking Him to forgive our nation for the sins we have done when suddenly a man whom I had seen in a vision before appeared. 

His name was Gabriel. He surprised me by flying quickly to my side a moment ago. It was nearly time for the evening sacrifice.

He obviously had something important to share--right then. I waited for him to speak.

Gabriel said, "Daniel, I have come to give you insight and understanding. The moment you started praying an answer was given. I have come to tell you that answer because you, Daniel, are highly esteemed. Think about this message I am about to give and understand what I am about to say.

"A decree has been issued. Your people have seventy sevens of time 

1. To stop the rebellion
2. To put an end to sins
3. To make things right for the things you have done wrong
4. To bring in righteousness that lasts forever
5. To seal up the prophet's vision
6. And to anoint the Most Sacred Place

"You need to know and understand this: From the moment the decree is spoken there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes. The streets of the city will be rebuilt with great defenses even though trouble surrounds the workers.

"After the sixty-two sevens, the Anointed One, Messiah, will be cut off and have nothing. Soldiers of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come quickly like a flood. War will continue until the end. Utter destruction has been decreed. 

"That prince will make a treaty with many people for one seven of time. In the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings to the Lord. At the biggest moment of his terrible rule, he will set up an idol that mocks the Most Holy Place, and it will stay until the destruction is poured out on him."

Gabriel's message was difficult to understand. So much is yet to happen. There are some messages that I record for now, knowing that the understanding will come at the right time.


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1. Who visited Daniel while he was praying?
2. Who sent the visitor?
3. Why did the visitor come?
4. What do the people of Judah need to do?
5. The Anointed One has come! Who was the Anointed One?