I looked down at the small boy in front of me. His sun-kissed hands clutched the food he had brought for himself to eat during the day. Looking over his head, I saw the huge crowds who were becoming restless. They had listened attentively for many, many hours, braving the hot sun as best they could. The child was offering his food to share with so many.
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My eyes sparkled as I welcomed what he selflessly gave. The thin scrawny hand stretched out to me as he gazed up through his clear, expectant eyes. Taking his gift, I looked up into heaven and gave thanks for God’s provision and the innocent kindness of this child. He didn’t see that the small amount was barely enough for his own needs; he was willing to share all that he had! How many would be prepared to do that?
Taking his gift, I looked up into heaven, gave thanks for God’s provision and the extraordinary generosity of this child. The child’s offerings touched my heart and I knew that the selfless act would be recorded in the scriptures for all time.
There were five thousand men, plus women and children, who benefited from the little boy’s gift that day. I blessed the offering and my disciples distributed it among the people. There were 12 baskets of food left over when everyone had eaten all they wanted. God had blessed and multiplied; His provision was truly immense!
We were a happy bunch of friends and a few stragglers remained with us as we left the area and went to find somewhere to sleep that night. God’s Spirit had been prevalent in our midst and our hearts were full to overflowing with His love.
We joked with each other about who had eaten the most but the fact remained that God had multiplied over and over to provide so much out of so little. I went away from the others; I wanted to say a proper thank you to my Father. He ministered to my exhaustion and empowered me for another day.
It was evening time and my disciples left together sailing to Capernaum. I hadn’t joined them when they went and it was now dusk and would soon be dark. The water was becoming very rough as the wind stirred up the waves causing the boat to rise and fall at an alarming rate. I caught up with them speedily crossing the lake; in the absence of a boat for myself, I walked upon the water.
The closer I got I could sense their fear as they were battling with the waves. When their eyes fell on me, they became even more terrified, thinking that I was a ghost. As I drew nearer I reassured them. Peter, without thinking, wanted to join me as I stood upon the lake. I told him to come to me.
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Without hesitation, he stepped into the water and began to walk towards me, then, he looked down into the swirling foamy water. I stretched my hand out to him as he began to sink. Peter was typical of many people; he looked down instead of up and it was then that his courage instantly failed. I had to admire him to some extent; at least Peter had got out of the boat and not remained in a place of safety like the others had.
It did sadden me. Peter had seen the feeding of the multitude a short time before but still he lacked faith. Using me as His instrument, God performed many miracles. The blind were healed, the lame able to walk, lepers made well again and I saw an enormous faith being displayed.
One such occasion was shown by a Roman officer whose servant was sick. He was a good man and had even built a synagogue for the Jewish people. The officer’s faith was such that he sent a message to me to say that I needn’t visit his home but, if I would only say the word, his servant would be healed. I was encouraged and gratified by his faith.
In the village of Nain there was a funeral procession for the only son of a widow. My heart melted by the pain and distress that this mother was feeling. In compassion I approached the coffin and, placing my hand upon it, I told the young boy to get up. He sat up and began to talk to those around him. The crowd praised God and I believe the story spread throughout Judea.
I was invited by a Pharisee to join him in a meal at his house. This was a rare treat and I gratefully accepted. There was an immoral woman who came to the house carrying an expensive jar of perfume purchased from the money she had earned from selling herself.
This woman was full of repentance. She wept about her sin and, kneeling down, she wiped my feet from her tears using her long hair. She kissed my feet and poured perfume on them. My host, Simon, was aghast at this woman’s behaviour and probably more so by my reaction. Reading his thoughts I decided to tell him a story.
“A money lender loaned five hundred denarii to one man and fifty to another. But neither of them could repay the debt. The money lender forgave them both and cancelled their debt. Who do you think loved him the most after that?”
Simon thought about this and answered, “I suppose the one who had the larger debt.” “That is right, your judgement is correct.” “When I entered your home you didn’t offer me water for my feet; you neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head and you didn’t offer me a kiss in greeting.
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This woman has washed my feet with her tears, dried them with her hair and anointed my feet with an expensive perfume. Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven; she has shown me great love.”
I spoke to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Those who were present asked each other, “Who does he think he is, going around forgiving sins?” I looked at the woman with compassion filling my heart, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace. “I must admit that the negative response by those present sent a shiver of apprehension through me; it appeared to be an omen.
The mood towards me was beginning to change. I felt that their judgement was just a veneer waiting for an opportunity to crack and surface and I was reminded of how quickly opinions can change; how precariously fragile was my position. My disciples rebuked people who were bringing little children to me. I have to say that this made me feel indignant. Taking the youngsters in my arms, I proceeded to bless them. It made me smile because so many of them wanted to run their fingers through my beard.
I addressed the people. “You must all receive the Kingdom of God like little children.” I wanted them to realise that childlike trust is the only ingredient necessary to be able to come to God in faith. Understanding the complexities of the universe should not matter and are unimportant. My Father welcomes everyone who believes in Him, especially those who don’t have the need of any proof but will readily accept without seeing.
Gazing at the crowds I recognised the work that was still to be done; it made me acutely aware that the time was indeed short. God wanted His message about sacrifice to be understood. He can bless our gifts just as He did in the food given by the young boy in the miracle of feeding the five thousand. I needed my disciples to appreciate that, although food for the body is important, it is food for the soul that really matters.
“I am the bread of life, no one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.” John 6:35 “Anyone who believes in Me already has eternal life.” I said these things when I was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Despite the miraculous signs that my disciples had witnessed first-hand, they were doubtful and rejected in their ignorance the things that I was trying to teach them.
I addressed my disciples, whilst gazing around at their faces “You who come to me are chosen by my Father but one of you is a devil!” I spoke about Judas Iscariot. I continued to teach in the villages around Galilee, my home town. The Jewish leaders had started to plot against me and I was well aware that I must now be cautious when I was travelling.
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I taught about anger, divorce, lust, vows, retaliation, loving one’s enemies, giving to the needy, fasting, worry, money, criticism and, most importantly, how to get to Heaven. The topics that I needed to clarify were endless, each subject designed to touch individuals deeply in their inner-most thoughts.
These were the lessons that God wanted to be explicit about and I saw many a light dawning in their understanding. Many were unreceptive, the subjects being too close for comfort, but at least that meant that my Father was penetrating their realisation of guilt at least in some aspects of their lives. It was important for people to take a look inside themselves and to analyse their actions. They needed to acknowledge what they were doing wrong and what they were doing against God’s will for them.
Despite their ways and the lack of understanding God’s laws, I looked around and my love for them welled up and overflowed!
Carole Crossley
Chapter One – Jesus Leaves Home
Chapter Two – The Temptations of Jesus
Chapter Three – Jesus Looks for his Disciples
Chapter Four – Jesus’s Ministry
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