How to Respond When Life is not Ideal

Based on a message I preached at Abundant Grace Church on the last Sunday of 2009.

Most people relate to God the majority of the time in 2 ways.

1) To thank him for extraordinary blessings. (Think winning the Super Bowl.)

2) To beg God to change unwanted circumstances. (Think my rent bill is due tomorrow and I just overdrew my bank account!)

In moments of great happiness, we might thank God; in moments of great peril or stress we might request God's aid. In between, there is the absence of any real relationship or communication with God. When we are happy we thank him, when we are not we curse him, in between we don't miss him.

This type of relationship is never something God intended for us. It reveals that we are treating God as an aid or a tool to get what we want. You don't have a relationship with your hammer or credit card, yet we attempt to use God in a similar way. God becomes our servant we tell him what to do, thank him when he does it, and grow angry and bitter when he doesn't...

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Next Two Sundays @ Abundant Grace Church

On Sunday December 27 & Sunday January 3. We will be meeting with Abundant Grace Church in their building in Brighton. Start off the New Year right and join us in worshiping Jesus and setting our sights on all God has before us.

Sunday December 27 & January 3 @ 10am

77 Guest Street

Boston, MA 02135

www.abundantgraceboston.org

Christmas Greeting

To my friends and brothers and sisters at Fenway Church (and those who might watch online):

Sending along my thoughts via a webcam recording this Christmas. What a joy to celebrate Jesus' entry into our world. Have a merry Christmas and grace-filled New Year.

David W.

Christmas Greeting from David W. Hill on Vimeo.

Christmas Festivities @ Fenway Church

Christmas is the celebration of God entering our world. It is a celebration of life, hope, humanity, & Deity. As Eugene Peterson put it, "Christ moved into the neighborhood." And, the neighborhood was never the same again.

Experience the life-giving power of Jesus as we invite our friends, neighbors, & co-workers to worship and celebrate with us.

Celebrate with Christmas carols, worship of Immanuel, festive food, coffee, and messages from the advent story that reveal how Jesus' changed the lives of those who first met him.

Be inspired as members of our church share how everything changed when Jesus entered their world.

Gatherings @ 69 Kilmarnock Street, Boston

Sunday December 6 10:30AM & 1PM - "Jesus Entered Our World: Three Magi"

Sunday December 13 10:30AM & 10PM - "Jesus Entered My Life: A Young Carpenter"

Sunday December 20 10:30AM - "Jesus Entered Our Job: Restless Shepherds"

Sunday December 20 1PM - Christmas Caroling & Party

~Guests from Peterborough Senior Center and St. Cecilia's Senior House will be invited to join us for carols & party.~

Stay tuned for how you can be involved in the upcoming homeless outreach & caroling at the senior centers as we give to our city this Christmas season!

Learn how the Advent Conspiracy is restoring the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption... click here.

Advent Conspiracy

Advent Conspiracy is an international movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption.

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.

www.adventconspiracy.org

Check out this movement and re-assess your priorities this Christmas. As a church can we allow our own desires for consumption to dissipate by learning how to give sacrificially and show compassion to others?

Rick Warren on Meet the Press

Rick Warren is a Pastor in California who wrote the New York Time's best seller, "A Purpose Driven Life." He represented Jesus well in this interview on a big, secular media platform. The stories he told illustrated his love for the hurting and his generosity with the wealth God has given him.

As we enter the Christmas season, this interview serves as good reminder for us of what it might look like to follow Jesus in 21st century America.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Famine in Kenya

Newfrontiers is our family of churches... We will be taking up a collection at this Sunday's Newfrontier's Boston's City-wide service (see above).
Famine in Kenya

There are 160 churches in Kenya who are part of the worldwide Newfrontiers family of churches. Many nations in that part of Africa are experiencing severe famine caused by a shortage of rain. This has come hard on the heals of the crisis which erupted at the end of 2007 following the elections. Inter-tribal conflict resulted in widespread destruction of property and crops and the internal displacement of tens of thousands of people. Many are still displaced.

Through the Newfrontiers churches Edward Buria, who brings apostolic oversight to these churches, many of which he has planted, is seeking to alleviate the effects of the famine which is claiming the lives of many people, livestock and even wild animals... Read more Famine in Kenya.

Photos from 1-Year Church Celebration

Our 1-year celebration was a raucous affair with tons of food, dancing, music, and guests. God has been good to us as he fulfills his plan to reveal Jesus to many in the Fenway. It is amazing to think that it all began 4 years ago with 4 people in my apartment and that just over a year ago 20 of us took the risk to start a public Sunday meeting in a night club & bar called "Church." May people continue to meet, "Jesus at the Bar!" - David W.

Click here for more pictures.

"Jesus Was My Deliver" - Lashondra's Story

This young woman's story from a Fenway Church service of freedom from abuse and depression reveals the very heart of God and the transforming power of Jesus' life. Listen here (6 mins).

Meet Jesus @ Fenway Church this Sunday 10:30AM & 1PM
69 Kilmarnock Street Boston

www.fenwaychurch.org

Mobilise USA January 15 - 17 2010

Students & Twenties you don't want to miss this conference...

MOBILISE USA JANUARY 15 - 17

Why Mobilise?

Against the backdrop of a declining Church in our nation, students and twenties are sensing a new season is upon us. Among younger generations, there is a greater interest in the God of the Bible giving us the opportunity to make a huge Kingdom impact in the coming years.

Mobilise USA is a conference that seeks to inspire students and twenties to pursue all that God has for them. Join us in St. Louis, MO, January 15-17, 2010 as we worship together, experience great teaching and focus on our mission to reach the earth with the Gospel.

http://www.mobiliseusa.org/cms/home.html

Death's Painful Sting

Death can often come suddenly. I recently attended a funeral for my close friend’s mother; it was a somber day as we remembered and buried a woman who was only in her 50s when she died. Tragically, it had seemed that an initial round of chemotherapy several years ago had worked only to find out a year later that the cancer had come back viciously and within two months this wonderful woman was dead.

Death can often be unsettling. That weekend a man was asking me how my week had gone, and I mentioned I had gone to a funeral. He responded, “It wasn’t cancer was it?” When I informed him it was cancer – brain cancer, he was visibly shaken and angry. He described how several of his relatives had died of cancer and how much he hated it. He relayed how he wanted to go out in a car accident, in a blaze of glory.

Each human being must wrestle with the reality of death. It jars us out of the grind and comforts of life and causes us to assess. As I was praying this morning, I was reflecting on these events, and I was struck by my own response to the reality of death. I can honestly say I don’t fear death. Death at times seems sudden, yet it does not unsettle me.

In this world, our bondage to sin brings a fear of death. As the Apostle Paul said, “The sting of death is sin.” (I Cor. 15:56) To be born again is to be freed from the power of sin and the fear of death. I know I have been freed from sin through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thus, I can say with Paul, “O, death where is your victory? O, death where is your sting?” (I Cor. 15:55)

Some will say like Clint Eastwood does in Gran Torino that Christianity just gives old ladies a hand to hold and a false security as they drift from this world. This idea is not my experience.

It is the overwhelming sense of God’s presence I in my life, the power of the word of God to change my life as I have followed it, and the testimony of people healed as I have prayed for them in the name of Jesus that remind me that I have indeed been born again. It is these marks of newness of life that grant weight to my hope in the resurrection of the dead, a full freedom from the pain of this world, and the joy of seeing Jesus in eternity.

Do you have that confidence? You can.

Church in the City (A Two Part Series on Acts)

Church in the City is a two part series on the Books of Acts where we will journey through the stories of the early church as they fight for the gospel, plant churches in ancient mega-cities, and watch these cities' cultures shift.

In Part I "Church in the City: the Fight for the Gospel" (Sundays October 11 - November 29), we will examine what church looks like in a city and what resistance the gospel faced. We will also talk about current modern values and how they relate to the church and the gospel. Here is a look at a few of upcoming weeks.

October 11 - Acts 1 & 2 - Sexuality vs. Worship
October 18 - Acts 2 - Comfort vs. Sacrifice
October 25 - Acts 3 (AM) - Security & Apathy vs. Obedience
October 25 - Acts 4 (PM) - Rel atavism & Individualism vs. Truth

In Part II "Culture Shift" (Sundays January 2010), we will look at how Spirit-empowered, Jesus-witnessing churches shifted the culture of pagan cities.

Are you ready?

Sundays 10:30AM & 1PM 69 Kilmarnock Street Boston

Fenway Church's 1-Year Anniversary Celebration (Sun. Oct . 18, 12-1PM)

Please join us as we celebrate our first year since we launched our first public service... for our story click here.

Church in the City: the Fight for the Gospel (Acts Part I: Oct. 11 - Nov. 29)

Why were the apostles imprisoned, persecuted, and killed?
What message did the apostles preach that triggered these reactions?
Why did the first church care for the poor, preach the gospel, and suffer for their faith?
What message did these young believers so passionately hold onto that it cost them their lives?
What does a church in a city look like?

Discover the book of Acts as we begin in a new preaching series - Church in the City: the Fight for the Gospel (Oct. 11 - Nov. 29 @ CHURCH).

Sundays 10:30AM & 1PM 69 Kilmarnock Street Boston

In fire’s aftermath, Restaurant Row eager to get back to business - The Boston Globe

In fire’s aftermath, Restaurant Row eager to get back to business - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

The Restaurant Row Revival Block Party was awesome - great band called Prospect Hill, the youth break dance team had serious skills, and the drum group was a blast. I got to meet a lot of awesome people from around the Fenway neighborhood who are really trying to give back to the community and make this neighborhood a great place to live. The Fenway CDC and Lori did a great job putting it on, and I am glad there quite a few Fenway Church members there helping out! Read about the Globe wrote and learn about the tragic fire that hit this row of restaurants in January. Let's all pray and hope they make it back!

Thoughts On Ruth

Ruth is a magnificent, short book. It is the story of the lives of ordinary people in an ancient agricultural world living in a society where many were choosing to do whatever "was right in their own eyes."1 (Not unlike our own!) The result as we learn from the book of Judges was a Israelite culture where sexual immorality, rape , civil war, and violence were common - a culture slipping toward collapse. In the midst of this culture, we are introduced to a small family which flees the famine in Israel and settles in Moab, a culture know for its sorcery, child sacrifice, demon worship, and antagonism towards Israel. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire.

In Moab, our friend Naomi takes center stage. Her husband (Elimilech) whose idea it was to move to Moab dies. Naomi's two sons marry Moabites (Orphah & Ruth), but after a few years Naomi's sons also die. Naomi is heart broken, poverty stricken, and very angry with God. She returns to Israel upon hearing that God is again blessing his people. Despite this news and the kindly accompaniment of her daughter-in-law Ruth who pledges to join Naomi's people and follow her God, Naomi remains bitter and depressed.

As the days go by, Ruth realizes that they are running out food as they live in Naomi's home that is about to be foreclosed on. She patiently waits for Naomi to take action. When she doesn't, Ruth asks Naomi for permission to go out into the harvest fields and scavenge what barley is left in the fields. Ruth's commitment and submission to Naomi is not without reward as she happens (perhaps by divine chance) to enter the field of a man named Boaz.

Boaz is an able man although getting older in years who unlike most of people of his day still sought to live according to God's ways and laws; God is central to everything he does. He greets his workers in the morning with the blessing of God and notices a new young woman in his field. He soon finds out she is Ruth, the Moabitess, and he welcomes her to Israel promising that she will find refuge on the shadow of the Lord God of Israel. Knowingly or unknowingly, Ruth has found herself in new land, a land where Lord God is King. Unknowingly, Boaz will end up fulfilling his promise of God's goodness to Ruth.

As the story unfolds, we see Ruth's commitment and patience as she waits for God's promise to of good to come to past. We see Boaz fulfill God's plan of redemption for Ruth and Naomi as he demonstrates God's goodness by purchasing Naomi's land and marrying Ruth.

The story of Ruth reveals that God is both good and sovereign (in control). The main characters struggle to reconcile these two truths in the face of death, economic crisis, pain, and suffering. Elimelech and Orpah are examples of people who the circumstances of life and not who God is motivate their decisions. They die in Moab apart from God. Naomi represents a follower of God who is desperately struggling with her faith finding it almost impossible to believe a sovereign God is good in the midst of her suffering. Her honesty and openness give Ruth a flickering yet real faith to seek after.

Ruth models an ideal follower of Jesus who not only is coming into a belief that God exists but is actively seeking him out by serving and listening to an older believer (even though the believer is clearly in a crisis of faith). Ruth models kindness, faith, humility, and obedience. Ruth's statement to Naomi, “All that you say I will do.” clearly foreshadows Jesus command to his own disciples to "obey everything he commanded them."2 Ruth exhibits a tremendous level of respect and trust by refusing to chase after other younger men as many of her fellow peers were.

Boaz introduces us to the concept of redemption. Ruth and Naomi no longer have a right to live in Israel - God's kingdom - because their land is being foreclosed on. As human beings we have no right to a relationship with God because we have lived lives filled with lies, selfishness, and rebellion to God's way. Thankfully like Boaz Jesus paid our redemption price by his blood shed during a brutal death on a cross. Because our redemption price has been paid in full, a relationship with God is possible. Like Ruth and Naomi we must in the face of tragedy, suffering, and the injustice of this world believe Jesus exists, Jesus is sovereign, and Jesus is good. As we join with his church (his people) in knowing him, we discover that the circumstances that seemingly brought great pain and torment into our lives were the very circumstances that God was using to draw us into relationship with himself.

Thus, the book of Ruth is the story of God's incredible grace in using Elimelech's flight to Moab, the death of Naomi and Ruth's husbands, and the poverty they faced to bring Ruth, a Moabite woman that would have died apart from God in pagan land, to a place of relationship with himself and a part of his son Jesus' lineage.

Read the story click here.


1 Judges 21:25, 17:6, 18:1
2 Matthew 28:20

The Book of Ruth

Two women struggle through fear, devastation, death, doubt, and famine while holding onto to each other and learning that there is a God who always provides. Share their journey as we sojourn through the book of Ruth and discover the power of commitment, waiting, and love.

Sundays September 20 & 27 10:30AM // 1PM @ Fenway Church

Meeting @ 69 Kilmarnock Street Boston

Our History Through Sept. 12, 2009

In February 2005, I had been living in a studio apartment on Boylston Street next to the Fens for just over a month when I had a vision. God had already been speaking to me about church planting in Boston for almost a year, and I knew after spending 4 years going to school in the Fenway where I wanted to start. I moved to the Fenway mainly because couldn't imagine Jesus starting a church some where he didn't live. That month I had a vision. In the vision, I saw a light coming on in an apartment in a large brick apartment building along Boylston Street. I looked in the window, and I saw 3 or 4 people playing a guitar and worshipping Jesus. The people there had the door open and after a moment they began leaving to go knock on other people's doors. I could tell people in the building knew that worship was going on in that apartment. Suddenly, I saw a light go on in another building. Then, I saw multiple lights going on in the same buildings. I knew those initial worshippers were seeing others begin to worship Jesus. As the Fenway began to fill with these lights I heard God say to me, "Build a structure that can contain the coming revival."

That summer, I married Betsy - a radical Jesus follower and an amazing girl from Montana - who I had met while at Boston University. In the fall of 2005, we began a house church with the goal of "Proclaiming the kingdom, meeting the needs of a generation, and forming communities of the Spirit and power..." We saw people delivered from demons, the sick healed, people meeting Jesus, and a growing community of 20 people emerge. Much of our initial focus was on the 20,000+ college students that lived in the Fenway (some who would only be with us for a year or two).

In the spring of 2008, our team felt God leading us to begin meeting publicly on Sundays to have a visible proclamation point in Fenway of who Jesus is. In October 2008, we launched a Sunday meeting in a brand new local club in the heart of the Fenway - ironically called CHURCH. Over the next 7 months, we grew from a team of 20 people to a gathering of 60+ even going to two Sunday meeting during the spring semester of 2009 and baptizing four people. We received a fair amount of media interest with an independent film team documenting our journey for over a year and 2 articles in the Weekly Dig (Barstool Churches) and BU's Daily Free Press (A Church in a Bar). Our church became very involved in the community especially in partnering with Operation Peace to serve the Fenway neighborhood.

In a week, we will again launch a second meeting with meetings at 10:30am and 1pm on Sundays. I am more excited than ever to see more people experiencing Jesus at our meetings, worshipping in their apartments, serving the Fenway community, and learning what church is truly all about.

Learn more about us at www.fenwaychurch.org .

"Why We Do What We Do" Intro

Many times we walk into a church and leave wondering why we just did what we did especially if it involved strange incantations or mystic dancing. Worse yet we might leave bored or disinterested from the formality or hype of it all. At Fenway Church, we hope that never happens (although it might)! Over the next month, we will listen to messages and participate in meals and discussions about why we do what we do and what it typically looks like at our gatherings. That way next time you find yourself jumping up and down at a service, shouting out at a prayer gathering, or listening to a guy preach at you from the stage of a club you will know just why you're doing it.

Sundays 10:30AM @ 69 Kilmarnock St. Boston
August 9 - "Why We Worship"
August 16 - "Why We Preach"
August 23 - "Why We Go" - Ralph Leo, missionary to Arabian Peninsula
August 30 - "Why We Give"
Septem. 6 - "Why We Pray"

"Why We Do What We Do" - Dinner & Discussions - Mondays @ 7pm
August 10 - September 7 @ 874 Beacon Street, 3rd floor
Please sign up for dinners on Sundays.

July Sundays @ Fenway Church

July 5 - "Collision: the Culture and the Gospel" - Jesse Sudirgo (no parking due to Red Sox game)

July 12 - "Responding to Failure" - Jan Horjus & Jeremy Jackson (no parking due to Red Sox game)

July 19 - Guest Speaker - Ian Ashby, Team Leader of Newfrontiers Northeast

July 26 - No Sunday Service - Join us at Celebration Northeast at 9:30AM at Gordon College's Chapel (free)

Click here for directions to Gordon Chapel.


My family and I will be on vacation in Montana visiting Betsy's family from July 8 - 21 enjoying the mountains, outdoors, and family. We will miss all of you, and I already can't wait to be back and hear the reports of all God has been doing in your midst during our absence. I pray you are growing in faith and love this summer and also finding time to rest. My prayers as always are for you!

Does Jesus Heal? Find out on Sunday June 28

This Sunday Fenway Church will be hosting our first "healing service" at 10:30AM at 69 Kilmarnock Street, Boston (the club called "Church"). The purpose of the "healing service" is to give Jesus an opportunity to stretch out his hand and heal those in our gathering who may be physically sick, disabled, or emotionally wounded. We believe there is nothing special about a "healing service;" it is simply a reminder that Jesus is always able and willing to demonstrate his love and power through doing what he only can do - miraculously heal the sick. We will hear stories of Jesus followers in our midst who have been miraculously healed and who have prayed for others and seen miracles happen.

There is an amazing story in Luke 5 where a man with leprosy (a permanent and deadly skin disease) comes to Jesus and says, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reaches out his hand and says, "I am willing. Be clean!" This weekend come yourself or invite a friend who may be wondering if God can or would heal them and experience Jesus.

In faith & love,
David W.

SUNDAY JUNE 28 @ 10:30AM HEALING SERVICE @ CHURCH THE CLUB (parking available in rear)

The gospel is good news and it includes the healing of the sick. Hear testimonies of people who have been healed and receive prayer for any sickness. Guests are welcome so bring a friend.

Loose Women & Jesus

When you hear the name Jesus what thoughts run through your head? A man with a halo, a good man, a cross, a church, love, gentleness... It is not often that we associate Jesus with sex workers, loose women, and notorious adulterers.

Yet in Luke 7, we find Jesus not only associating with but being identified with such company. A renowned prostitute takes a daring yet calculated risk as she ignores the accusations and judgments of a town and cares for and works on Jesus' feet. In this drama-filled scene, Jesus risks condoning a sinner and finds himself defending his own reputation all the while protecting a woman who experiences a love so foreign to the lusty demands of men and the fading ecstasies of sex. A love that brings peace instead of brokenness, eternal hope instead of despair. A perfect love that drives out all fear of failure and unmet expectations. A love that accepts instead of condemns. Redeems instead of judges. A love that never fails. A love that only one man has ever truly demonstrated.

Meet the Jesus of the gospels, the man the religious choose to ignore and the "sinners" have yet to meet.

"Knowing Jesus" Sundays 10:30AM

At the club called CHURCH, 69 Kilmarnock St. Boston

A Loose Woman & Jesus - May 17

Jesus & Racist Neighbors - May 24

Fat Cats & Jesus - May 31

Community Park Clean-up Saturday April 25

My wife, Betsy, is coordinating this event to serve the community in a really practical way. We are working with the city's Boston Shines program.

If you are live in the Fenway Community, feel free to join us. Details are below!

Meet at the corner of Peterborough and Kilmarnock at the playground near the club "Church" at 10AM on Saturday April 25.

Resurrection Sunday @ Fenway Church

Enjoy a celebration of the resurrection...
Experience the power of the resurrection...
Discover the meaning of a resurrection life...

We have started two Sunday services! Join us on Easter Sunday April 12 for the 10:30am or 1pm services as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ at the club called Church.

Childcare & Coffee will be provided.

Fenway Church: Two Services, One Location
10:30am & 1pm
69 Kilmarnock St., Boston

Recap of Mission//Fenway

Three weeks ago, we were in the midst of Fenway Church's first week of service. The team made up of students on spring break and some professionals who took a few days off handed out over 250 cups of coffee. A lot of great conversations were had with Fenway residents as they asked questions about why we were giving out free coffee at 7am. During the afternoons, the team helped Operation Peace (a non-profit organization working with Fenway residents) with advertising, office management, and the after school program. Out of the experience, Fenway Church now has 4 people volunteering with Operation Peace on a regular basis. David, the director of Operation Peace, commented of the volunteers that, "They are true 'Godsends.'" The week concluded with several people making and serving a brunch of pancakes, fruit, and eggs at a homeless shelter. These brunches will become a monthly occurrence.

The Road to the Cross

Since Fenway Church launched, I have been preaching through the book of Mark. This Sunday (March 8), I will begin a final six-week series on the last days of Jesus' life on earth (Mark 12 - 16). Each message will focus on different people's interactions with Jesus as he teaches his last two messages, institutes the practice of communion, is betrayed, is tortured to death, and rises from the dead. Join us on Sundays for a relevant and life changing look at the dramatic end to Jesus' earthly life and a celebration of his resurrection on Easter Sunday (April 12).

THE MESSAGES - Sundays March 8 - April 12

• Love God, Love Others: Two Women Give Their All


• Stay Awake: The Brothers Are Warned About The End Of The World


• Take: Jesus Offers His Body & Blood


• Could You Not Watch?: Peter's Utter Failure


• Why Have You Forsaken Me?: A Roman Sees The Christ


• You Will See Him: The Women See His Glory

Mission Fenway

I am full of faith and excitement when I consider how God is going to use this week! Please join in with what God is doing.

Hello Fenway Church!

We are looking for students and young professionals to give their spring break or a week of vacation to serve as “harvest hands” with Fenway Church.

During the week of March 9-14, we will serve different community organizations in the Fenway, conduct outreaches like free coffee give aways, work on different projects for Fenway church, and participate in times of worship, prayer, and equipping.

Jesse Sudirgo
http://higherpeaks.blogspot.com

Jesus & the Political/Militant Path

Some thoughts from my message today from Mark 6... A bit lengthy but I am sure it will capture a few people's interest. Jesus is not who we always think he is!

The disciples who have recently been overcome with amazement at Jesus’ power and have chosen to follow Jesus on his return to his home town are now commissioned to proclaim and demonstrate the coming of the much anticipated Messianic rule. The disciples receive authority from Jesus to uproot the demonic forces which resist the coming kingdom and are given specific instructions that require the disciples to trust Jesus’ words and be completely dependent on God’s provision. The disciples disperse in teams of two reaching many people with the message that people must change their way of thinking in preparation of a visitation of God. This appeal is reinforced by visible signs that the kingdom of God is “at hand” as the disciples cast out many demons, anoint the sick, and heal many people.

The account of the disciples’ mission is interrupted by the story of John the Baptist’s tragic death. Following the role of prophets before him, John’s message has penetrated the ears of those who do not want to receive it. John’s commitment to unashamedly speaking God’s prophetic word to him brings him into a confrontation with a ruthless, immoral King Herod. Herod arrests John for rebuking Herod for taking his brother’s wife. This adulterous second wife then manipulates the lusts and pride of Herod and his dinner guests to insure the death of John the Baptist. The story ends with John being beheaded and buried in a tomb. The reader is then returned the end of the disciples’ mission.

The result of the disciple’s mission is that many have heard out about Jesus including Herod. Many are coming and going as they seemingly prepare for the promised messianic coming of a victorious, militant shepherd king. The hustle and bustle of people’s expectations and Jesus and John’s interaction with Herod are pushing events quickly forward. Jesus attempts to leave the scene telling his disciples they need some rest. However, Jesus’ movements are misinterpreted by the masses and 5,000 men show up in the wilderness of Galilee known for its revolutionary gatherings. Jesus is moved by compassion by the scene understanding the people’s pressing desire for a shepherd. Thus, he puts off his personal retreat plans and begins to teach them. As a night approaches, the disciples decide the army needs to be fed and suggest that the masses return to the surrounding villages for the night in order to obtain food. Jesus take immediate action to shift the situation perhaps sensing events are beginning to spiral beyond God’s purpose and plan for his life. He commands the disciples to give the people something to eat. The shocked and disgruntled disciples ignore the intended source of provision (Jesus) and instead sarcastically ask how they could possibly afford to buy food for so many people. Jesus then takes control. He instructs the disciples on how to organize and distribute food to the people and then foreshadowing the Last Supper and the giving of his own body takes what little bread they have prays, breaks the loaves, and gives it to the disciples for the people.

Everyone is fed and satisfied, but Jesus is not done. He immediately forces the disciples to leave in their boat separating them from the crowds (quite possibly because they were no longer aligned with his purpose at that time). Jesus then dismisses the people quelling for the moment any hopes for the gathering of a revolutionary army. After this tumultuous series of events, Jesus returns to the place of prayer alone to spend time with his Father and possibly to receive affirmation of his actions. After this experience with God, a supernaturally empowered Jesus walks on the water towards the disciples who are caught rowing against heavy winds. The disciples are terrified, unable to distinguish Jesus from the ghost they think he is. Jesus joins them in the boat and the winds subside. The astounded disciples are then reported have not understood who Jesus is because of their hard hearts signaling that even those who go about Jesus’ work may not understand who he is.

Jesus then returns to his ministry of bringing salvation to the neediest of Israel’s people having resisted the plan’s of the masses and disciples to follow a political or militant path. Without saying much Jesus has deeply challenged his followers' world view, he reminds us also - "I'm not who you think I am!"