For the word of God is alive and powerful.
It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit,
between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.
Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes,
and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
(Athens, Greece)
Because God’s children are human beings—
made of flesh and blood—
the Son also became flesh and blood.
For only as a human being could he die,
and only by dying could he break the power of the devil,
who had the power of death.
Only in this way could he set free
all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
…“In the beginning,
Lord,
you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
They will perish,
but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”
…God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance,
and through the Son he created the universe.
The Son radiates God’s own glory
and expresses the very character of God,
and he sustains everything
by the mighty power of his command.
When he had cleansed us from our sins,
he sat down in the place of honor
at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
…”Who are you looking for?”
he asked.
“Jesus the Nazarene,”
they replied.
“I AM he,”
Jesus said…
(Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.)
As Jesus said “I AM he,”
they all drew back and fell to the ground!
Once more he asked them,
“Who are you looking for?”
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the LORD turns his face
against those who do evil.
…Jesus said,
“Why did you doubt me?”
When they climbed back into the boat,
the wind stopped.
Then the disciples worshiped him.
“You really are the Son of God!”
they exclaimed.
Matthew 14:31-32
(The Aegean Sea)
Then Peter called to him,
“Lord, if it’s really you,
tell me to come to you,
walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,”
Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat
and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves,
he was terrified and began to sink.
“Save me, Lord!”
he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.
“You have so little faith,”
Jesus said.
“Why did you doubt me?”
(The Aegean Sea)
Meanwhile,
the disciples were in trouble far away from land,
for a strong wind had risen,
and they were fighting heavy waves.
About three o’clock in the morning
Jesus came toward them,
walking on the water.
When the disciples saw him walking on the water,
they were terrified.
In their fear,
they cried out,
“it’s a ghost!”
But Jesus spoke to them at once.
“Don’t be afraid,”
he said.
“Take courage,
I am here!”
(The Aegean Sea)
