Apicontent

“There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” —John 21:25

Jesus was purposely busy, ever focused on His Father’s business, ever doing His Father’s will. John’s ending verse of his gospel is reminiscent of something Jesus said earlier:

“He told them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I too am working.’” — John 5:17

John ended his preceding chapter using similar words to those of our verse for today:

“Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” — John 20:30–31

The records of the works of Jesus are not exhaustive (to say the least); we have just a sampling of His accomplishments. Here, John reminds us of all the marvelous things that the Lord Jesus accomplished. All that Christ said and did when His feet walked upon this dusty earth was noteworthy. He never spoke an idle word. He never performed an idle work. He never said or did anything insignificant. Sweet Jesus, from everlasting to everlasting, holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens, an amazing Savior, an amazing Lord. He truly is beyond our imagination.

“This is He who is appointed and given to us by God the Father, as the fullness of all grace and truth, as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, as the ladder and door of heaven, as the serpent lifted up to render the poison of sin harmless, as the water which refreshes the thirsty, as the bread of life, as the light of the world, as the redeemer of God’s children, as the shepherd and door of the sheep, as the resurrection and the life, as the corn of wheat which springs up into much fruit, as the conqueror of the prince of this world, as the way, the truth, and the life, as the true vine, and finally, as the redemption, salvation, satisfaction, and righteousness of all the faithful in all the world, throughout all ages. Let us therefore pray God the Father, that, being taught by His Gospel, we may know Him that is true, and believe in Him in whom alone is salvation; and that, believing, we may feel God living in us in this world, and in the world to come may enjoy His eternal and most blessed fellowship.” —Bullinger’s Commentary on the Gospels

Christ’s miracles were vast, varied, and intentional. Some of His miracles were repetitious, with differing audiences, producing an array of witnesses, and giving even more proof and credibility to Him. I am reminded of the words penned by the prophet Isaiah:

“Remember this, so you can be brave! Think about it, you rebels! Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me, who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire.’” —Isaiah 46:8–10

What was divinely inspired to be included in the Gospels was exactly what God desires to be included—each incident included for the benefit of all humankind. We would be no more helped or improved or increased in belief if more of our Lord’s actions had been recorded. There is enough presented for the conviction of sin and the guidance of all who are honestly seeking genuine salvation and direction.

Become More

“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16–17

Further Reflections

“For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience, they are not the better for having heard the truth.” —A.W. Tozer

“Secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those that are revealed belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we might obey all the words of this law.” —Deuteronomy 29:29

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Now this is how he did so. Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael (who was from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of his were together. Simon Peter told them, ‘I am going fishing.’ ‘We will go with you,’ they replied. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
“When it was already very early morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you don’t have any fish, do you?’ They replied, ‘No.’ He told them, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they threw the net, and were not able to pull it in because of the large number of fish.” —John 21:1–6

The Sea of Tiberius, also known as the Sea of Galilee, was the chosen sight for our Lord’s appearance to His beloved disciples. This would have been familiar territory and sweet surroundings for these men. Indeed, it was the place where Jesus had done some of His mightiest works—walked on water, stilled the waves and winds, provided money for taxes from the mouth of a fish, fed the multitudes loaves and fishes, cast out legions of demons, and delivered the parable of the sower. This place would serve to remind His disciples of the days when Jesus’ power, love, and wisdom were constantly in their view. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of His mercy, power, love, wisdom, and forgiveness. Jesus is always aware of what His followers need—ever reminding us of His presence, especially when faith ebbs low.

Interestingly, this was where Peter, James, and John had first followed Jesus. It was here that He had called them to abandon their fishing for mere fish and embrace the highest work of fishing for the souls of men. Of interest as well is the fact that Thomas, the doubter turned believer, is now mentioned with Peter. Thomas had missed the appearance of Jesus when the other disciples had assembled, and he was wisely not about to let another opportunity slip through his hands!

Peter demonstrates his leadership abilities as the small band of disciples seem to follow him when he makes mention of going fishing. The simple definition of a leader is to have someone follow. In our verses for today, Peter goes fishing with six others. Not wanting to simply wait for Jesus’ next appearance with idle hands, Peter gravitates to what he knows—fishing. He goes back to what he is accustomed to doing and the others follow suit. There is something very comforting in doing the familiar—it clears one’s mind particularly when so much surprise and unknown swirls in the head.

Not much has gone as expected for the disciples! In the beginning, when the disciples left everything to follow Jesus, their expectations and dreams were not exactly what eventually played out (to say the least). Now they are trying to absorb all that has just happened: Judas’ betrayal; Peter’s denial; Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; and His appearance to them after His resurrection. They had to have been overwhelmed. As they try to figure out where to go from here, they return to what they know.

Oftentimes, when we set out to follow Jesus, we must tear up into the smallest pieces any itinerary we may have for the journey. Not much happens as we expect. Jesus keeps to no beaten path nor will He allow us to put Him in a box. He leads us by a way our eyes and ears and minds have never seen, heard, imagined, or dreamed. He knows no fear and He expects His servants to fear nothing because He always walks with us. It is His great promise to all believers. He is a “with us” God.

“Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.’” —Hebrews 13:5

In our passage for today we find that the disciples catch nothing, not a thing. I think this is another lesson Jesus was gently teaching his followers, apart from Him we can do nothing. However, with Him, abiding in Him, we can turn the world upside down. In and of ourselves we can do nothing of eternal value. Only He can do all things. Our power is in following Him.

Become More

“We need to keep reminding ourselves that without the Lord we can do nothing. It needs to become a habit of mind with each of us to tell the Lord as we tackle each task, ‘I can’t do this without your help, please help me’, and then to expect to be helped because we have admitted our helplessness, given up self-reliance and are now looking to Him.” —J. I. Packer

Further Reflections

“But just as it is written, ‘Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.’” —1 Corinthians 2:9

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.’” —John 15:4–5

“Two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” —Luke 23:32, 39–40

In these few verses, we see all the steps necessary for our salvation. Here are a few truths I see in the conversation between Jesus and the second criminal on the cross:

• The criminal actually feared God. He showed this by not insulting Jesus nor blaspheming or reviling Him, but by turning to Him.
• The criminal was aware of his own sin and his inability to save himself.
• The criminal realized that his sin had to be punished.
• The criminal realized Jesus was without sin.
• The criminal also realized Jesus was going to another kingdom.
• The criminal asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom.
• The criminal actually rebuked the other criminal.
• The criminal is with Jesus in paradise and has been since that day.

Maintaining a confidence in Jesus, committing his way to Him, expecting help from Him, rejoicing in the hope of being with Him forever, the criminal on the cross sets for us a good example.

Do we maintain such a confidence in Jesus? Have we committed our way to the One who is more than sufficient to meet our every need? Do we expect Jesus to grant us the grace to accomplish whatever He allows into our lives with contentment, peace, and joy?

Paul reminds us of the source of his supernatural strength when he proclaims:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.” —Philippians 4:11–13

Do we rejoice in the hope of being with Him forever—holding fast in confidence to our future eternal bliss? Jesus desires for us to be encouraged and strengthened by this truth. Just as He told His first disciples, He tells us:

“Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.” —John 14:1–3

Become More

“Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.”—Isaiah 40:29–31

Further Reflections

“Nothing can harm us, including death, when we have trusted Christ as Savior, because Christ has conquered death—and so shall we.” —Billy Graham

“The only ground on which God can forgive our sin and reinstate us to His favor is through the Cross of Christ. There is no other way! Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony at Calvary. We should never take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification in simple faith, and then forget the enormous cost to God that made all of this ours. Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blots out the atonement. The revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive–He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God through the atonement of the Cross. God’s forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm. Once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vise, constrained by the love of God.” —Oswald Chambers

“So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’
“Jesus replied, ‘Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?’
“Pilate answered, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?’” —John 18:33–34

Pilate has summoned Jesus into his palace in an effort to remove Him from the raucous of the rabble and ask his own questions. It is the perfect picture of Holiness himself being summoned into defilement. In some ways, that is also a description of what Jesus does every time He is asked to enter a heart at the point of salvation. The pure, holy, blameless, and set apart from sinners Savior enters into a heart blackened by sin and depravity—saving, cleansing, and empowering that heart to be like Him.

All four gospels record Pilate asking this same question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” He obviously had a true desire to know if Jesus was the king of this ancient people over whom he and his soldiers now ruled. Considering our Lord’s attire and humble appearance, Pilate surely assumed Jesus was merely a mock messiah—simply setting himself up over the masses. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record our Lord replying to Pilate with the same words: “You say so.”

“Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’” —Matthew 27:1

“Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He replied, ‘You say so.’” —Mark 15:2

“So Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He replied, ‘You say so.’” —Luke 23:3

A few verses later in John 18 we find similar words from Jesus, yet adding a stipulation for those willing to hear Him:

“Then Pilate said, ‘So you are a king!’ Jesus replied, ‘You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” —John 18:37

Jesus answers Pilate with an affirmative. Indeed, Jesus was the king of the Jews, yet not a king in the way Pilate supposed Him to be. Jesus’ kingdom was not a political kingdom to rival Rome. He was no threat to Roman rule. Jesus’ kingdom is entirely unlike the kingdoms of the world. His realm is not dependent upon the world’s power or arms or money. It is a kingdom with origins from heaven. It is far more glorious and incomprehensible than anything we can assemble or even imagine on earth. It is a spiritual kingdom over the heart and will and mind.

The question is: Are we willing to proclaim Jesus King?

Become More

“Whenever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the kingdom of God established.” —Paul W. Harrison

Further Reflections

“Jesus showed us what God really wants to cleanse and purify—our hearts. Christ’s transforming work on the cross helps us to break free from desires that hold us in bondage. As we submit to God, we become like Christ, no longer wanting to offend God. Out of gratitude we obey Him from the inside out.” —Tremper Longman

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ (Now there was a lot of grass in that place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed the bread to those who were seated. He then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted.” —John 6:10–13

Jesus had compassion for the masses following Him. The people were weary and they were hungry and they were in need of restoration. Like rain on a parched land, Jesus restores our spent spirits and weary bodies. There is, quite simply, no one to which we can compare Him. He is the ultimate restorer of our souls.

Jesus gives instructions to have the people sit down in the soft, green grass. Our God is a God of order and not confusion. Chaos and disorder belong to Satan’s realm. From the stars in the sky, to the seasons in each year, to the songbirds, to the seas, God’s order permeates. I wonder if Satan likes to hold us in chaos and confusion in order to hinder us from thinking; to keep us from delving deeper into the ways of God. Distractions from what is truly important are rampant in our day and age. From the headphones blaring, to the cell phones ringing, to the television blasting; there is rarely a time when silence and tranquility prevail. Yet, God calls His children to this treasure. It is in the stillness that we are able to intently hear His still small voice.

I am reminded of the prophet Elijah who had a mountaintop experience with God. Soon after, he found himself fleeing, hotly pursued by Jezebel who wanted to take his life. Spent physically, emotionally, and spiritually he heads for Horeb, the mountain of God. God sent an angel to strengthen him and he traveled 40 days to meet with his Maker.

“He went into a cave there and spent the night. All of a sudden the LORD’s message came to him, ‘Why are you here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been absolutely loyal to the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Look, the LORD is ready to pass by.’
“A very powerful wind went before the LORD, digging into the mountain and causing landslides, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the windstorm there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. All of a sudden a voice asked him, ‘Why are you here, Elijah?’” —1 Kings 19:9–13

While God certainly can be in the wind and in the earthquake and in the fire, He thankfully most always lovingly speaks to His children through the gentle whisper of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Oftentimes, unfortunately, our busyness robs us of this intimacy.

It is important that we do not let our lives become so busy and distracted that we are unable to get off to a solitary place to meditate and pray, enjoying the company of our Creator. Even in Jesus’ life, the early hour was the most conducive for this high privilege. We find in the book of Mark the habit of our Savior:

“Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer.” —Mark 1:35

If this was our Savior’s custom, how much more should it be ours!

In our verses for today, we find Jesus giving thanks for the provision before the food is distributed. I think it is important to note that thankfulness and praise precede the miraculous here.

The crowds had been satisfied when Jesus issued the following direction to His disciples: “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” It is comforting to know that our God is not a God of waste. He does not waste bread fragments, He does not waste our experiences, He does not waste the broken pieces of our lives, He does not waste our failures. Instead, He miraculously weaves together all things in His children’s lives—even the poor choices allowed by His permissive will—into a beautiful tapestry which brings glory to Him. Out of our darkest experiences the brightest light can dawn for those who love Him. God works for His children’s good as we gather the broken pieces of our lives and give them back to Him.

God takes our meager sacrifices and turns them into abundance. With the young lad’s giving of two small fish and five little loaves God fed more than 5000 people, and there were twelve baskets leftover.

Our satisfaction and sufficiency rest in God and God alone. Until we are able to grasp that truth, we will always find ourselves wanting, no matter how much of the world’s temporal treasures we may possess. Our Maker knows how we are made and therefore knows our every need—emotional, physical, and spiritual, and it is His desire to overflow our cups with Him.

Become More

“Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

Further Reflections

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.” —Psalm 23:1–3

“Somehow in the wonder-working providence of God, our worst problems become our best pulpits. God turns our tragedies into testimonies and our emergencies into evangelism. Our testimonies are forged and crafted in the trials of life, our pain has an evangelistic purpose, our problems become His pulpits, and the things that happen to us turn out for the furtherance of the gospel.” —Robert Morgan

“Then Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?’ (Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.) Philip replied, ‘Two hundred silver coins worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little.’ One of Jesus’ disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?’” —John 6:5–9

Philip should have taken his cue from the prophet Ezekiel’s response to God in the valley full of dry bones:

“The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and placed me in the midst of the valley, and it was full of bones. He made me walk all around among them. I realized there were a great many bones in the valley and they were very dry. He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said to him, ‘Sovereign LORD, you know.’” —Ezekiel 37:1–3

We discover great truth in the prophet’s words: “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” Indeed, God alone knows.

I love the command and promise presented to us in Proverbs:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5–6

We see and reason imperfectly with our limited vision and understanding. Human insight and reasoning will always be found wanting; it is simply incomplete. Contrast, on the other hand, God’s ways, which are incomprehensible, His paths, beyond tracing out. We read in Romans:

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor” —Romans 11:33–34

Isaiah tells us:

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is an eternal God, the Creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary, there is no limit to his wisdom.” —Isaiah 40:28

Needless to say, Jesus already knew the answer to His question before He even asked it. Our Savior was not searching for information; He was simply helping Philip to go deeper. Philip, who had been Jesus’ disciple from the first, and had been privy to His miracles, should have known without a doubt that Jesus could provide. Those who have witnessed and participated in God’s works should certainly maintain a deeper understanding of His ways.

Ever been with your back against the wall and nowhere to turn? Ever been empty of ability when presented with great need? Ever been clueless when the questions just kept pouring in? Jesus has asked His disciples where they can buy bread for 5,000 plus people. The disciples do not have the money. They are in a remote area. They totally lack the ability to do as Jesus has requested. It is no wonder the other three gospels tell us the disciples told Jesus to send the people away. That sounds like a reasonable response to me. Yet Jesus is not looking for my reasonable responses. He is looking for dependence on Him.

Oftentimes, when we are confronted by an out of our league need, our initial response is to send it away, get rid of it, flee, or turn a deaf ear. What we need to do is turn to the Lord! He gives His direction and power as we place our trust in Him. I can’t imagine Moses thought he would part the Red Sea, or Joshua thought he would level Jericho’s walls, or Gideon thought his three hundred men could lay flat an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Fact is, they did not have the ability in and of themselves, but God did. And because of His great love for His people, He chooses to use those who put their trust in Him.

It was Jesus’ desire to show His disciples—and us as well—not to look inward or outward for help, but to look upward. When we learn to lean into Him, He proves himself faithful to either miraculously change the circumstance or change us by bestowing upon us the grace sufficient to meet the need.

Become More

“Confidence in the natural world is self-reliance; in the spiritual world it is God-reliance.” —Oswald Chambers

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” —Hudson Taylor

Further Reflections

“Our extremities are the Lord’s opportunities.” —Charles Spurgeon

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” —Corrie Ten Boom

“Faith raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still. We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts … It is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity, to stand still—to wait only upon God, and He will assuredly open a way for us.” —C.H. MacIntosh

“As he was saying these things, a leader came, bowed low before him, and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.’ Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him. … When Jesus entered the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd, he said, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep!’ And they began making fun of him. But when the crowd had been forced outside, he went in and gently took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the news of this spread throughout that region.” —Matthew 9:18–19, 23–26

In these verses, we experience Jesus the Healer. Jairus, the synagogue ruler whose daughter had just died, and the woman with the issue of blood, both humbly approach the Master, hopeful in the God of all hope to heal. Both of the situations of these two supplicants were completely beyond the powers of nature. And yet, they were both well within the power of Jesus.

It is interesting that the age of Jairus’ daughter and the woman’s duration of hemorrhaging had both been twelve years. In reading the other gospel accounts of this same passage, one can clearly see the hopelessness of both situations. However, those not possessing the hope of nature can possess the hope of Jesus! As I read these accounts of suffering, I am reminded of Paul’s words:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” —Romans 15:13

This passage begins with Jairus approaching Jesus, kneeling before Him, humbly requesting Jesus to come to heal his daughter. This incident, I’m sure, had shattered his family, and had sent this ruler straight to the Shepherd who ever-lovingly tends His sheep. All things in our life should drive us to the feet of Jesus! We see here that the Savior’s job description not only included preaching the truth, but producing the good work of healing and binding up the brokenhearted as well. We discover in Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the LORD will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn.” —Isaiah 61:1–2

Agreeing to the ruler’s request, Jesus begins His journey to Jairus’ home. Jesus’ readiness to help this man is evident as He immediately rises and goes with him, not only willing to grant his request but even being willing to go to his home to fulfill it. Those who seek Jesus never seek Him in vain!

The mourners had already gathered. Many had come together to grieve the loss and comfort the parents in their distress. Jesus rebukes the noisy crowd with His words, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep!” He is unconcerned by their mocking, and leaving the crowds outside, Jesus goes in and does what only He can do; immediately raising the child to life again with but a word. She was dead to the world but alive to Christ who knew what He would and could do. Amazing!

Become More

Jesus is the Help of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless. Hold on tightly to Him!

Become More

“God’s mercy is vast and beyond our comprehension. He will never reject anyone who turns to Him for mercy. Nor will He force Himself on anyone who chooses to live without Him.” —Michael Youssef

“God alone knows the depth and riches of His Godhead, and divine wisdom alone can declare His secrets.” —Thomas Aquinas