Jesus Calls Us to Peace!
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. [Mark 4:37, 38 NIV]
The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown.’ [Mark 4:38 NIV]
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ [Mark 4:39, 40 NIV]
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. [Matthew 6:24 NIV]
Jesus Calls Us into Solitude!
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [Matthew 14:13, 14 NIV]
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went upon a mountainside by himself to pray…He was there alone. [Matthew 14:22, 23 NIV]
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. [Mark 1:35 NIV]
Jesus withdrew into lonely places and he prayed. [Luke 5:16 NIV]
Jesus Calls Us to Radical Lives!
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said and cried out in fear. [Matthew 14:24, 26 NIV]
But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied. ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ [Matthew 14:27, 28 NIV]
‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [Matthew 14:29 NIV]
The Beatitudes
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. [Romans 12:2 NIV]
