365 Days in the Gospels and Spirit of Prophecy

May

May 1

Bible discovery

34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 365DGSP 122.2

35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 365DGSP 122.3

36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. 365DGSP 122.4

Mark 6:53-56 365DGSP 122.5

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 365DGSP 122.6

54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 365DGSP 122.7

55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 365DGSP 122.8

56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. 365DGSP 122.9

Spirit of Prophecy Reading

The Desire of Ages pp.383-384: 365DGSP 122.10

This chapter is based on John 6:22-71. 365DGSP 122.11

When Christ forbade the people to declare Him king, He knew that a turning point in His history was reached. Multitudes who desired to exalt Him to the throne today would turn from Him tomorrow. The disappointment of their selfish ambition would turn their love to hatred, and their praise to curses. Yet knowing this, He took no measures to avert the crisis. From the first He had held out to His followers no hope of earthly rewards. To one who came desiring to become His disciple He had said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20. If men could have had the world with Christ, multitudes would have proffered Him their allegiance; but such service He could not accept. Of those now connected with Him there were many who had been attracted by the hope of a worldly kingdom. These must be undeceived. The deep spiritual teaching in the miracle of the loaves had not been comprehended. This was to be made plain. And this new revelation would bring with it a closer test. 365DGSP 122.12

The miracle of the loaves was reported far and near, and very early next morning the people flocked to Bethsaida to see Jesus. They came in great numbers, by land and sea. Those who had left Him the preceding night returned, expecting to find Him still there; for there had been no boat by which He could pass to the other side. But their search was fruitless, and many repaired to Capernaum, still seeking Him. 365DGSP 122.13

Meanwhile He had arrived at Gennesaret, after an absence of but one day. As soon as it was known that He had landed, the people “ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He was.” Mark 6:55. 365DGSP 122.14

After a time He went to the synagogue, and there those who had come from Bethsaida found Him. They learned from His disciples how He had crossed the sea. The fury of the storm, and the many hours of fruitless rowing against adverse winds, the appearance of Christ walking upon the water, the fears thus aroused, His reassuring words, the adventure of Peter and its result, with the sudden stilling of the tempest and landing of the boat, were all faithfully recounted to the wondering crowd. Not content with this, however, many gathered about Jesus, questioning, “Rabbi, when camest Thou hither?” They hoped to receive from His own lips a further account of the miracle. 365DGSP 122.15

Jesus did not gratify their curiosity. He sadly said, “Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” They did not seek Him from any worthy motive; but as they had been fed with the loaves, they hoped still to receive temporal benefit by attaching themselves to Him. The Saviour bade them, “Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.” Seek not merely for material benefit. Let it not be the chief effort to provide for the life that now is, but seek for spiritual food, even that wisdom which will endure unto everlasting life. This the Son of God alone can give; “for Him hath God the Father sealed.” 365DGSP 122.16