Part 5

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear; then the devil comes and takes the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Those on the rock are they, who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. They have no root. For a while they believe but in time of temptation they fall away.

The seed which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard, they go forth. But they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life; and they bring no fruit to perfection. The seed on the good ground are they, who with an honest and good heart, have heard the word. They keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.

No man, when he has lighted a candle, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed. Instead he sets it on a candlestick so those who enter in may see the light. Nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest and nothing is hidden that shall not be known and come to light. Take heed how ye hear: for whoever has understanding, to him more shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.

Then His mother and His brothers came but could not get near Him through the press of the multitude. Someone said to Him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand outside desiring to see thee. Jesus said to all those gathered, My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God, and do it.

Now it came to pass. Jesus went into a ship with His disciples. He said, Let us go over to the other side of the lake. They launched forth. As they sailed Jesus fell asleep. There came a windstorm on the lake. The ship filled up with water, and they were in jeopardy. They came and woke Him and said, Master, master, we perish. Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the raging water. The storm ceased and there was a calm. He said to them, Where is your faith? They wondered, What kind of man is this! He even commands the winds and water and they obey Him.

They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Outside the city, a man who had devils for a long time approached Him. He wore no clothes and had no house but lived in the tombs. Oftentimes he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; but he broke the bands, and was driven by the devil into the wilderness.

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. With a loud voice the man said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. Then Jesus asked him, What is thy name? He said it was Legion, because many devils were entered into him. They besought Jesus not to command them to go out into the nearby deep water.

There was a herd of swine feeding on the mountain. The devils besought Jesus to let them enter into the swine. Jesus allowed them. When the devils went out of the man and entered the swine the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake and were choked.

When those who fed them saw what was done, they fled into the city and told what happened. Many went out to see what was done. They came to Jesus and found the man out of whom the devils departed. He was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. The people were afraid. Those who saw it explained how the man possessed with the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country around the Gadarenes besought Jesus to leave.

Jesus went back to the boat. The man who had been possessed by the devils asked to go with Him. But Jesus sent him away. He said, Return to thine own house and show the great things God has done for thee. The man went his way and told the whole city the great things Jesus had done.

It came to pass that Jesus returned and the people gladly received Him. They were all waiting for Him. There came a man named Jairus. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet and besought Him to come to his house. His only daughter, about twelve years of age, lay dying. As Jesus started out, the people thronged Him.

A woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years and who had spent all her living on physicians who were unable to heal her, came up behind Him, and touched the border of His garment. Immediately her issue of blood ceased. Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and you ask, Who touched me? Jesus said, Somebody has touched me for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

When the woman felt she could not hide, she came trembling and, falling down before Him, she declared to Him before all the people why she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately. Jesus said to her, Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith has made thee whole. Go in peace.

While He yet spoke, there came a messenger from the ruler of the synagogue's house. He said, Thy daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Master. But when Jesus heard it, He said, Fear not. Only believe and she shall be made whole.

When He got to the house, He allowed no one to go in, except Peter, James, John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. All wept but He said, Weep not. She is not dead, but sleeps. Those gathered outside laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and said, Maid, arise.

Her spirit returned and she arose straightway. Then He told them to give her food. Her parents were astonished, but He charged them that they tell no one what was done.

9 Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Jesus said to them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither take two coats.

Whatever house ye enter, abide and depart from there. Whoever will not receive you, when ye leave that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them. They departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Herod, the tetrarch, heard about all this. He was perplexed because some people said it was John the Baptist risen from the dead; and some said Elias had appeared. Others said that one of the prophets of old was risen again. Herod said, I have beheaded John so who is this of whom I hear so much? He wanted to see Him.

When they returned, the apostles told Jesus all that they had done. He took them and went into a private desert place that belonged to the city of Bethsaida. But people soon found out and followed Him. Jesus received them. He spoke to them of the kingdom of God and healed those who had need of healing.

When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, Send the multitude away so they may go into the towns and country nearby to find lodging and get food.

But He said to them, Give ye them to eat. They answered, We have no more than five loaves and two fish unless we go and buy meat for all these people, about five thousand men.

He said to His disciples, Have them sit down in groups of fifty. Then He took the five loaves and two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. They all ate and were full. And twelve baskets of fragmants that remained were taken up.

It came to pass, as Jesus was alone praying, His disciples were nearby and He asked them, Whom do the people say that I am? They answered and said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, one of the prophets of old is risen again.

He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Peter spoke up and said, The Christ of God. Jesus charged them to tell no one of this. He said, The Son of man must suffer many things; and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes; and be slain; and be raised on the third day.

Then He said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. Whoever will save his life shall lose it. Whoever will lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man shall also be ashamed of him when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. I tell you, there are some standing here now, who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God.

About eight days after these sayings, He took Peter, John, and James and went up into a mountain to pray. As He prayed, His whole appearance was altered. His raiment was white and glistering. And there talked with Him two men, Moses and Elias, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.