網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

wicked women had no feeling left; and no one can tell, when he begins to give way to sin, where it will end. Herod sent to the prison, and had John's head cut off. It was brought in a charger to the damsel, and she gave it to her mother. John's disciples came and took up the body, and buried it.

Do you think Herod was happy, now he had got rid of John? Oh! no. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isa. lvii. 21.) The wonderful works of Jesus began to be talked about, and Herod became frightened. He thought it must be John the Baptist who was risen from the dead. He was very anxious to see Him, that he might know whether it was so; but he never did see Jesus till just before He was crucified.

When Jesus heard of John's death, He went into a desert place alone. There the apostles came to Him, to tell Him of all they had done while they were away.

CHAPTER XIII.

JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND.

I TOLD you that Jesus went into a desert place when He heard of John's death. He was not allowed to rest long. People from all the towns around followed Him, bringing with them many sick to be cured. As many as five thousand men, besides women and children, were gathered together. They staid all day listening to Jesus; but they had brought nothing to eat. At last evening came on, the people were hungry, and they were a long, long way from their homes. The disciples begged that Jesus would send them away into the towns and villages, that they might buy bread. "No," said Jesus, "they need not depart : give ye them to eat." The disciples asked Him

how they could possibly find food for that great multitude. Must they go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread for them? Jesus said, "How many loaves have ye? go, and see." They found they had five loaves and two fishes; but what was that among so many? Then Jesus made all the people sit down by fifties on the grass, and when He had taken the loaves, He looked up to heaven, and blessed them. Let us learn, from our dear Saviour's example, never to forget to ask a blessing from our Father in heaven on our food! He then broke up the loaves, and divided the fishes, and desired the disciples to give some of each to all the people. Not only did all eat, but all were filled; yes, and much, too, was left on the grass. Do you think this would be wasted? Oh, no! In this too let us learn a lesson from Jesus. He desired that all should be gathered up, that nothing might be lost. People sometimes seem to think that where there is plenty, a little waste does

G

not signify; but you see, Jesus did not think so. Always remember, dear children, that waste is sin.

As soon as the people were satisfied, Jesus told the disciples to get into a ship, and go before Him to the other side of the Lake. He remained behind to send away the multitude, and then went up into a mountain apart to pray. When the disciples had sailed partly across the lake they could get no further. The ship lay there tossed with waves, and the wind was against them. No doubt they wished, again and again, that they had not set off without Jesus. "If He were here," they would say, "He would calm this raging sea." But though Jesus was not with them, He knew their distress. In the middle of the night He went to meet them. But you will ask me, how He could get to them on the sea, for He had no boat? Jesus walked on the raging sea, as easily as if it had been dry land. When the disciples saw Him in the

darkness, they were much frightened, and cried out for fear. But Jesus soon spoke kind words to them, "Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid." Oh, how rejoiced must they have been to hear the voice of their dear Lord! Peter begged that Jesus would allow him to walk on the water. Jesus said, "Come." For a moment, Peter was able to stand on the water; but when he saw the tossing waves his faith failed him, and he began to sink. Immediately he cried out, "Lord, save me," and Jesus caught him by the arm, saying to Him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" As soon as Jesus had entered the ship, the wind ceased. All who were in the ship worshipped Him, saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God."

Some time after this, Jesus went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

these places on your map.

the country belonged to

You must find

That part of

Gentiles. No

doubt the Saviour went there, on purpose

« 上一頁繼續 »