Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In those days, Jesus' followers were many, but they had nothing to eat. He called them together and said, "I have compassion on these people because they've been following me for three days without a meal." If I send them away hungry, they'll faint along the way; many of them have traveled from far-off places.

His disciples replied, "How can we possibly feed such a huge crowd in this wilderness?" Jesus asked them how much bread they had. They said seven loaves were available. He instructed the people to sit down on the ground, took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them into pieces, and handed some to his disciples to distribute among the crowd.

They also had a few small fish, which Jesus blessed and told his disciples to serve alongside the bread. The people ate and were satisfied; they gathered up seven baskets of leftover fragments. Around four thousand men were fed that day, after which Jesus sent them away.

Immediately, he boarded a boat with his followers and sailed into the region of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees appeared on the scene, questioning him and asking for a miraculous sign from heaven to test him. Jesus took a deep breath and said, "Why is this generation so obsessed with signs? I assure you, no sign will be given to them."

He left them behind, got back into his boat, and sailed across to the other side. His disciples had forgotten to pack bread and now only had one loaf with them on board.

Jesus warned them, "Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and that of Herod." They wondered among themselves, thinking it was because they didn't have enough bread. When Jesus realized what they were talking about, he said, "Why are you worrying about not having any bread? Don't you understand yet? Has your heart still been hardened?"

They had eyes but couldn't see; ears but couldn't hear; and memories that seemed to be missing. Jesus reminded them of the five thousand people he fed with just five loaves of bread, asking how many baskets of leftover fragments they collected afterward. They replied, "Twelve." Then he asked about the four thousand men who ate seven loaves – how many baskets of broken pieces did they gather? Again, they said, "Seven."

How could they still not understand? Jesus came to Bethsaida, where a blind man was brought to him and begged for his touch. Taking the man by the hand, Jesus led him out of town, spat on his eyes, and placed his hands on them, asking if he could see anything.

The man looked up and said, "I can see people as trees walking." Jesus touched his eyes again, and made him look up once more – this time, the man was restored to perfect sight. He sent the healed man away, instructing him not to go into town or tell anyone about it until further notice.

Jesus continued with his disciples to the towns of Caesarea Philippi, asking them on the way, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some think you're John the Baptist," while others believed he was Elijah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asked, "But what about you – who do you say I am?"

Peter spoke up and said, "You are the Messiah." Jesus told them to keep this secret for now. He began teaching his followers that the Son of Man would suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, but rise again after three days.

Jesus shared these words openly, and Peter took him aside, rebuking him. But when Jesus looked at his disciples, he strongly warned Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You're not thinking about what God wants; you're concerned with what people think."

Anyone who wants to follow Jesus must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. If someone tries to save their own life, they'll lose it, but if they lose their life for Jesus' sake and the Good News' sake, they'll truly save it.

What good is gaining the whole world if you end up losing your very soul? What could anyone trade in exchange for their eternal life? Whoever is ashamed of Jesus and his words in this wicked generation will also be ashamed when he comes with his Father's glory and holy angels.