Our Life with Jesus 20-21

  "In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.  And Simon and his companions hunted for him.  When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you."  Jesus answered, " Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also, for that is what i came out to do." --  Mark 1:35-38 In Capernaum, people had come out in overwhelming numbers to seek healing and new life from Jesus.  He had tended them late into the evening.   Once everyone was asleep, Jesus slipped away, going off by himself to "a deserted place" to pray.  There he re-centered himself in God's will.  When his disciples arrived, telling him that everyone back in Capernaum was still looking for him, Jesus was clear: his mission is to proclaim God's saving love for everyone .  Thus, they would be moving on to other towns, rather than going back to Capernaum.   In the gospel

  A disciple is a "learner."  In the original Greek of the New Testament, the word is mathetes. We also use the terms "student" and "follower" in describing a disciple.   Last year one of our confirmands called the disciples "choice-makers!"  Who are the disciples in the gospel stories?   The list is much bigger than you might imagine. Simon Peter  (the fisherman in Luke 5:1-11 and later a leader among the disciples) Andrew  (Simon's brother; in John's gospel, Andrew is the first disciple!) James and John  (these are the sons of Zebedee and fishing partners with Simon and Andrew) Matthew  (a Roman tax collector called to follow Jesus) Judas Iscariot  ( known as the one who betrays Jesus; also the treasurer of the movement) Philip Bartholomew Thomas  (wrongly labeled "Doubting Thomas") The Other Simon:  the "Zealot" or the "Canaanean"  (the Zealots were revolutionaries who fought the Roman occupation ) James s

  The painting above is Jacopo Bassano's The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (1545) , his bringing to life the story told in Luke 5:1-11.   Very early in his ministry, Jesus is being followed by a large crowd of people eager to heart the word of God.  While he is standing by the lakeshore the people press in on him so much that he climbs into  one of the fishing boats there by the shore, which is empty because the fishermen are cleaning their nets at the end of their shift.  This particular boat belongs to Simon.  Jesus beckons Simon and asks him to maneuver the boat away from the shore.  Jesus then sits down and teaches from the boat.  When he is finished he turns again to Simon, and directs him: "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."  The fisherman protests that he and his colleagues have been fishing all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, he will do as Jesus asks.  Into the "deeper water" they go.  Simon and his fishing partner (L

What are names, titles, and words we would use to describe Jesus?  Here is our list so far: Son of God Messiah Christ  Lord Savior Lamb of God Emmanuel ("God is with us") Son of Man ("The Human One" or "True Human') Light of the World The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) Alpha and Omega Jesus of Nazareth Loving W Wise Kind Forceful Faithful Peaceful Willing Brave Humble Healer Carpenter "Everybody in One" Favorite teaching stories of Jesus include: --The Parable of the Mustard Seed -The Parable of the Good Samaritan Other favorite stories: --Jesus in the Temple at age 12 --Walking on Water