Our paragraph topic is: (Hunger of the crowd) Part 1.
And so it was. John the Baptist was murdered by Herod, Herodias and her daughter, agents of evil. They had planned their plot with the advice of evil and carried it out. John had warned the people of the evil of Herod. John had spoken to them about his lies and deceit. And John was imprisoned for speaking out against evil. For evil wanted to silence John the Baptist. Evil wanted to put John to death. Evil wanted to stop John from winning souls to Christ. John baptised the people. John preached to the people of repentance. John won souls for Christ and turned people against the evil that existed in the kingdom. And evil wanted him dead. And so it was. John was murdered and sent home to his father. His mission accomplished on this earth to prepare the way for Christ.
And the disciples of John came and removed his headless body from the prison and gave him a proper burial. For Herod and Herodias were gloating over the head of John the Baptist. They were rejoicing to his lifeless head how they had triumphed over him. And evil watched on the sidelines as they became embolden in their merriment of their power. For the people did not revolt. The people did not cry out in shame over the death of John. But the word spread how Herod was against his death and how he swore an oath to Herodias' daughter to give her anything that she asked for her reward to dance at his birthday party before the people. Their plan was crafty. Their plan was deceitful. Their plot was carried out flawlessly. And they rejoiced over the death of John the Baptist.
And the word spread of the death of John the Baptist. The people were lost. The people were in need and without a guide. The people were in chaos. For John was their leader. John was their prophet. John was their sign, pointing to the Messiah. They were in need. When Jesus heard this, he withdrew by boat to a desert place apart; but the crowds heard of it and followed him on foot from the towns. And when he landed, he saw a large crowd, and out of compassion for them he cured their sick.
Jesus traveled by boat and the crowds traveled by foot. And they were in need. A great loss had taken place here on earth and a new beginning was unfolding. And the people were in chaos. They new not where to go. They knew not what to do. They knew not any more of John the Baptist so they turned to Christ for their answers. And the word spread of the loss of John the Baptist. And the word spread of the whereabouts of Christ. The people were in need and when Christ landed and saw the crowds he was moved with compassion because of their need for direction, their need to believe, their need for hope, their need for guidance. And he gave them their direction. He gave them their hope. He gave them their belief. He showed them that God was still with them and he cured their sick.
The time is coming and is almost here. Chaos is coming. Unbelief is coming. Doubt is coming. Fear is here. And the people are lost and without direction. With the uncertainty in the world today, people are feeling uncertain. People are loosing faith. People are loosing hope for themselves and their God. For the evil one is bringing about uncertainty that the people will know doubt. The evil one is bringing about uncertainty that the people will loose their belief. The evil one is bring about uncertainty that the people will loose their hope and open the door to fear.
There is no fear in Christ. There is no doubt in Christ. There is no uncertainty in Christ. For all things are in Christ. There is no impossibility in Christ for all things are in Him. Those who know will stand tall in this time of uncertainty. Those who are rooted will not be moved by uncertainty. Those who believe will see the truth come forth in spite of the fear and doubt in the world. And those who practice perfect patience in the Lord will see the certainty of his love. Christ is Lord of all and he sits at the right hand of God our Father in heaven.
