The World Becomes Flesh

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold some land. He kept back part of the money for himself. His wife knew about this and agreed to it. He brought the rest of the money and gave it to the apostles. Peter said "Ananias, why did you let Satan rule your thoughts to lie to the Holy Spirt and to keep for yourself part of the money you received for the land? Before you sold the land it belonged to you and even after you sold it, you could've used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this. You'd lie to God, not to us." When Ananais heard this, he fell down and died. Some young men came in, wrapped up his body, carried it out, and buried it and everyone who heard about this was filled with fear. About three hours later, his wife came in, but she did not know what had happened. Peter said to her, "Tell me, was the money you got for your field this much?" Sapphira answered, "Yes that was the price". Peter said to her, "Why did you and your husband agree to test the spirit of the Lord? Look, the men who buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out." At that moment, Sapphira fell down by his feet and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. The whole church and all the others who heard about these things were filled with fear

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. Faith is the reason we remember great people who lived in the past. It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by God's command so what we see was made by something that cannot be seen. It was by faith that Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God said he was pleased with the gifts Abel offered and called Abel a good man because of his faith. Abel died, but through his faith he is still speaking. It was by faith that Enoch was taken to heaven, so he would not die. He could not be found because God had taken him away. Before he was taken, the scripture says that he was a man that truly pleased God. Without faith, no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. It was by faith that Noah heard God's warnings about things he could not yet see. He obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family. By his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong and he became one of those that are made right with God through faith. It was by faith Abraham obeyed God's call to go to another place God promised to give him. He left his own country, not knowing where he was to go. Its as by faith he lived like a foreigner in the country God promised to give him. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob who had received that same promise from God Abraham was waiting for the city that has real foundations; the city planned and built by God. He was too old to have children and Sarah could not have children. It was by faith that Abraham was made able to become a father because he had trusted God to do what he promised. This man was so old he was almost dead. But from him came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky. Like the sand on the seashore, they could not be counted. All these great people died in faith. They did not get the things that God promised his people, but they saw them coming far in the future and were glad. They said they were like visitors and strangers on Earth. When people say such things, they show they are looking for a country that will be their own. They had been thinking of the country they had left. They could have gone back, but they were waiting for a better country, a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God because he has prepared a city for them. It was by faith that Abraham, when God tested him, offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice. God made the promises to Abraham, but Abraham was willing to offer his own son as a sacrifice. God had said, "The descendants I had promised you will be from Isaac." Abraham believed that God could raise the dead and really it was as if Abraham got Isaac back from death. It was by faith that Isaac blessed the future of Jacob and Esau. It was by faith that Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each one of Joseph's sons. Then he worshipped, as he leaned on the top of his walking stick. It was by faith that Joseph, while he was dying, spoke about the Israelites leading Egypt and gave instructions about what to do with his body. It was by faith that Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born. They saw that Moses was a beautiful baby and they were not afraid to disobey the king's order

Jesus and the apostles came down from the mount and he stood on level ground. A large group of his followers was there. As well as many people from all around Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast cities of Tyre and Sidon. They all came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of their sicknesses and he healed those who were troubled by evil spirits. All the people were trying to touch Jesus because power was coming from him and healing them all. Jesus looked at his followers and said, "You people who are poor are happy because the kingdom of God belongs to you. You people, now hungry, are happy because you will be satisfied. You people, who are now crying, are happy because you will laugh with joy. people will hate you, shut you out, insult you, and say you are evil because you follow the son of man. But when they do, be happy. Be full of joy at that time because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets, but how terrible it will be for you who are rich. You've had your easy life. How terrible it will be for you who are full now because your are hungry. How terrible it will be for you who are laughing now because you will be sad and cry. How terrible when everyone says only good things about you because their ancestors said the same things about the false prophets. But I say to you who are listening. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. pray for those who are cruel to you. If anyone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. If someone takes your coat, do not stop him from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you. And when someone takes something that is yours, don't ask for it back. Do to others what what you would want them to do to you. If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Even sinners love the people who love them. If you do good only to those who do good to you, what praise should you get? Even sinners do that. if you lend things to people always hoping to get something back, what praise should you get? Even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount. But love your enemies. Do good to them and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward and you will be children of the most high God because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Have mercy just as your father shows mercy

Immediately, Jesus told his father to get into the boat and go ahead of him across the lake. He stayed there to send the people home. After he had sent them away, he went by himself up into the hills to pray. It was late and Jesus was there alone. By this time, the boat was already far away from land. It was being hit by waves because the wind was blowing against it. Between three and six o'clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, "It's a ghost!" and called out in fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them, "Have courage, it is I, do not be afraid." Peter said, "Lord, if it is really you, then command me to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, "Lord, save me!" Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. Jesus said, "Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind calmed. Then those who were in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, "Truly, you are the son of God." When they had crossed the lake, they came to shore at Gennesaret. When the people there recognized Jesus, they told people all around there that Jesus had come and they brought all their sick to him. They begged Jesus to let them touch just the edge of his coat and all who touched it were healed

Jesus called the twelve apostles together and gave them power and authority over all demons and the ability to heal sicknesses. He sent the apostles out to tell about God's kingdom and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for your trip. Neither a walking stick, bag, bread, money, or extra clothes. When you enter a house, stay there until it is time to leave. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off of your feet and leave the town as a warning to them." So the apostles went out and traveled through all the towns, preaching the good news and healing people everywhere. Herod, the governor, heard about the things that were happening and was confused because some people said John baptist has arisen from the dead. Others said Elijah has come to us. And still others said one of the prophets who lived long ago has risen from the dead. Herod said, "I cut off John's head so who is this man I hear such things about?" And Herod kept trying to see Jesus. When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then Jesus took them with him to a town called Bethsaida where they could be alone together. But the people learned where Jesus went and followed him. He welcomed them and talked with them about God's kingdom and healed those who needed to be healed. Late in the afternoon, the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, "Send the people away. They need to go to the towns and countryside around here and find places to sleep and something to eat because no one lives in this place." But Jesus said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Unless we go buy food for all these people." There were about five thousand men there. Jesus said to his followers, "Tell the people to sit in groups of about fifty people." So the followers did this and all the people sat down. Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, he thanked God for the food. Then he divided the food and gave it to the followers to give to the people. They all ate and were satisfied and what was left over was gathered up, filling twelve baskets