Luke 9:1-27

Jesus called the twelve apostles together and gave them power and authority over all demons and the ability to heal sicknesses. He sent the apostles out to tell about God’s kingdom and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for your trip, neither a walking stick, bag, bread, money, or extra clothes. When you enter a house, stay there until it is time to leave. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off of your feet as you leave the town, as a warning to them.” So the apostles went out and traveled through all the towns, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere. Herod, the governor, heard about all the things that were happening and was confused, because some people said, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead.” Others said, “Elijah has come to us.” And still others said, “One of the prophets who lived long ago has risen from the dead.” Herod said, “I cut off John’s head, so who is this man I hear such things about?” And Herod kept trying to see Jesus. When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then Jesus took them with him to a town called Bethsaida where they could be alone together. But the people learned where Jesus went and followed him. He welcomed them and talked with them about God’s kingdom and healed those who needed to be healed. Late in the afternoon, the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, “Send the people away. They need to go to the towns and countryside around here and find places to sleep and something to eat, because no one lives in this place.” But Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish, unless we go buy food for all these people.” (There were about five thousand men there.) Jesus said to his followers, “Tell the people to sit in groups of about fifty people.” So the followers did this, and all the people sat down. Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he thanked God for the food. Then he divided the food and gave it to the followers to give to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and what was left over was gathered up, filling twelve baskets. One time when Jesus was praying alone, his followers were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the people say I am?” They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah. And others say you are one of the prophets from long ago who has come back to life.” Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ from God.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the Jewish elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law. He will be killed and after three days will be raised from the dead.” Jesus said to all of them, “If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me. Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for me will have true life. It is worthless to have the whole world if they themselves are destroyed or lost. If people are ashamed of me and my teaching, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and with the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some people standing here will see the kingdom of God before they die.”