21.2 Jesus Feeds 5,000

(Matthew 14:13-21)

When Jesus heard the news about John, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, and so they left their towns and followed him by land. Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick.

That evening his disciples came to him and said, “It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send the people away and let them go to the villages to buy food for themselves.”

“They don’t have to leave,” answered Jesus. “You yourselves give them something to eat!”

“All we have here are five loaves and two fish,” they replied.

“Then bring them here to me,” Jesus said. He ordered the people to sit down on the grass, then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Everyone ate and full of what was left over. The number of men who ate was about five thousand, not counting the women and children.

21.1 (Joseph In Egypt): Be Prepared For Time Of Shortages

(Genesis 41: 33-36)

“Now you should choose some man with wisdom and insight and put him in charge of the country. You must also appoint other officials and take a fifth of the crops during the seven years of plenty. Order them to collect all the food during the good years that are coming, and give them authority to store up grain in the cities and guard it. The food will be a reserve supply for the country during the seven years of famine which are going to come on Egypt. In this way the people will not starve.”

20.5 In Fasting I Pray For Help

(Psalm 35:13-23, 27-28)

But when they were sick, I dressed in mourning;
I deprived myself of food;
I prayed with my head bowed low,
as I would pray for a friend or a brother.
I went around bent over in mourning,
as one who mourns for his mother.

But when I was in trouble, they were all glad
and gathered around to make fun of me;
strangers beat me and kept striking me.
Like men who would mock a cripple,
they glared at me with hate.

How much longer, Lord, will you just look on?
Rescue me from their attacks;
save my life from these lions!
Then I will thank you in the assembly of your people;
I will praise you before them all.

Don’t let my enemies, those liars,
gloat over my defeat.
Don’t let those who hate me for no reason
smirk with delight over my sorrow.

They do not speak in a friendly way,
instead they invent all kinds of lies
about peace-loving people.
They accuse me, shouting, “We saw what you did!”
But you, O Lord, have seen this.
So don’t be silent, Lord;
don't keep yourself far away!
Rouse yourself, O Lord, and defend me;
rise up, my God, and plead my cause.

May those who want to see me acquitted
shout for joy and say again and again,
“How great is the Lord!
He is pleased with the success of his servant.”
Then I will proclaim your righteousness,
and I will praise you all day long.

20.4 When You Fast, Groom Your Hair

(Matthew 6:16-18)

And when you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. When you go without food, wash your face and comb your hair, so that others cannot know that you are fasting- only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.

20.3 Fasts Are Days Of Joyful Return To God

(Zechariah 8:15-19)

Now I am planning to bless the people of Jerusalem and Judah. So don’t be afraid. These are the things you should do: Speak the truth to one another. In the courts give real justice- the kind that brings peace. Do not plan ways of harming one another. Do not give false testimony under oath. I hate lying, injustice, and violence.

The Lord Almighty gave this message to Zechariah: “The fasts held in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become festivals of joy and gladness for the people of Judah. You must love truth and peace.”