August 14 Daily Devotional

Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6

Jesus went up into a mountain and lifted up his eyes and saw a great multitude coming unto him; and he was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things of the kingdom of God, and he healed them that had need of healing. “And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said to him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals; for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And Jesus … saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would to do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his twelve disciples, Andrew, said unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are they among so many?”

“And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. So the men sat down upon the green grass, in number about five thousand in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And Jesus took the loaves, and the two fishes, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitude, as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves. Now when the people saw the miracle which Jesus did they said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”

And when evening was come, the disciples went down unto the sea. They entered into a ship, and were going over to Capernaum. Night covered the sea and a wind began to blow, and the men in the ship were distressed by the waves. About the fourth watch of the night (between three and six in the morning) Jesus came to them walking on the sea. When they saw him coming, they were afraid, and said, “It is a spirit … But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I. And Peter answered and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the waters. And he said, Come! And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the waters to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”