32 Now, when all the apostles were again gathered, Jesus led them down into the desert near the city of Bethsaida.
33 A great multitude hearing He was there, came down to hear Him preach the Kingdom Of God. He went among them joyously healing the sick.
34 They stayed several days, and their provisions were gone. The twelve came to Jesus saying, "Send this multitude away, that they may go into the towns and the country 'round about to find lodgings and provisions for we have nothing for them here in the desert."
"BE OF GOOD CHEER. IT IS I!"
Chapter Thrity-Seven
Jesus said unto them, "You give them something to eat."
2 The disciples said unto Him, "Lord, we have only five loaves and two fishes. Even if we were to go out to buy food we could not get enough to feed all these people. For there are more than two-thousand here about."
3 Jesus said to them, "Have them sit themselves down in groups of fifty."
4 The apostles did so. Jesus covered the basket that had the loaves and fishes, then had the disciples fetch baskets. He covered these, also, then He blessed the loaves and fishes from that basket, and put some in the apostles' baskets.
5 Then He took up His basket and said, "Go, and give unto each person a piece of the loaf and a fish."
6 Being much bewildered the apostles did so. To their amazement each time they reached into the basket they felt another piece of the loaf, and, another fish!
7 They gave unto all until they were filled, then took up the fragments that remained for the evening.
8 There were twelve baskets of them. Jesus spoke once more to the multitude then ordered them away.
9 The disciples asked Jesus "How did you do this?"
10 Jesus told them, "Ask Demetrius."
11 The disciples looked to the Roman. "He took," the Roman explained, "from all those 'round about that had plenty and brought it here to feed the hungry. Look at the scraps! You had but one kind of bread, and, one kind of fish, but the scraps are of many. There are at least three kinds of fishes."
12 The disciples looked back to Jesus in great wonder. They passed on to a private place where they could pray. Afterwards they went down again, to the water. Christ commanded His apostles to take the ship across to the other side, while He tarried a while to pray, and when He was done He would join them.
13 The apostles did not understand how He would come over, but they obeyed. The ship was again troubled by storm, tossed by great waves, and, the wind.
14 It was nearly dawn when behold, they looked up and saw Jesus walking on the sea, which for Him, was calm.
15 When the apostles saw Him coming they were terrified, and cried out, "It is a Spirit!" and they trembled with fear.
16 But Jesus called out to them in a strong voice, saying, "Do not be afraid. Be of good cheer. It is I."
17 Then Peter answered, saying, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come unto you on the water."
18 Jesus said to him, "Come!"
19 Then Peter came down out of the ship, walking on the water to go to Jesus, but when he saw the winds billow up the water around him, he was afraid, and began to sink. "Lord save me!" he cried out.
20 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand, caught hold of him, and cried, "Peter! Peter! Oh, how little is your faith! How easy it is for you to doubt. What shall we ever do with you?"
21 Then the wind died away, the sea was calm, and they went up into the boat. The apostles knelt down and worshipped Him.
22 When they were done, they noticed that Demetrius was gone, though he had been with them when they had left the shore. The apostles feared for him, Jesus shook His head, saying, "He has gone on before, for he had an errand that must be done for me. Think not of it, but know that the time is not yet that you should be departed from him for long."
23 The disciples knew that if Christ said "Have no fear," they need not fear. They went ashore to preach.
"YOU HAVE COME FOR ALL THE WORLD."
Chapter Thirty-Eight
There came down from Jerusalem Scribes and Pharisees to question Jesus, saying, "Why do our disciples transgress the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they eat?"
2 Christ answered them, saying, "Why do YOU transgress the commandments of God by your traditions? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother. He that curses his mother or his father, let him be put to death.'
3 But you say, 'Whoever shall say to his mother or his father 'It is a gift, thereby you must be profitable by me and honor not your father and your mother, he shall be sat free.'
4 This have you made the Commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. You hypocrites! Well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying 'This people worship me mightily, with their mouths, and honor me with their lips, but in their hearts is no place for me. In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines and commandments of men.'"
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