From the Discourse on the Bread of Life, A. D. 29, to the Feast of Tabernacles, October, A. D. 29; 6 Months.

This is a period of seeking retirement, and in many places Jesus is hindered by the people breaking in upon him and disturbing him in giving his special training to his chosen apostles who were soon to carry on his work.

I. EATING WITH UNWASHED HANDS (Matt. 15:i20; Mark 7:1-23). After Jesus had preached his sermon on "The Bread of Life "the Pharisees and scribes found fault with him because his disciples ate with unwashed hands. But Jesus called the people together and taught them that what man said defiled him, and not what he ate.

II. HEALING THE SYROPHCENICIAN'S DAUGHTER (Matt. 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30). Jesus with his disciples then withdrew to the borders of Tyre and Sidon, hoping to remain a time in seclusion. But soon a woman of Canaan besought him to heal her daughter who was grievously vexed with a devil. At first he seemed to treat her coldly, but she steadfastly persisted in her petition, and finally with a commendation of her great faith he healed her daughter.

III. HEALING THE DEAF STAMMERER AND OTHERS (Matt. 15:29-31; Mark 7:31-37). After a short stay in this region, Jesus, passing to the north of the Sea of Galilee, came into Decapolis where he healed a deaf stammerer, and many others hearing of this miracle came to be healed, and Jesus healed the lame, the blind, the dumb and the maimed.

IV. FEEDING THE FOUR THOUSAND (Matt. 15:3238; Mark 8:1-9). On account of these miracles a great multitude of men, women and children, about four thousand, gathered about the Savior and listened to his words and beheld his cures. They continued with him for about three days and their provisions began to fail, and Jesus, finding there were seven loaves and a few small fishes among them, fed all the multitude with them.

V. THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES DEMAND A SIGN (Matt. 15:39-16:4; Mark 8:10-12). Having sent the multitudes away, Jesus again took ship and crossed to the west side to Dalmanutha, where the Pharisees and Sadducees asked a sign from heaven. Jesus refused to give them a sign, save the sign of Jonah.

VI. THE LEAVEN OF PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES (Matt. 16:5-12; Mark 8:13-21). Jesus did not tarry at Dalmanutha, but immediately took ship again to cross over to Bethsaida. While on the sea Jesus warned his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, referring to their hypocrisy.

VII. HEALING A BLIND MAN (Mark 8:22-26). At Bethsaida a blind man was brought to Jesus and he took him by the hand and led him forth out of town; he spit upon his eyes and laid his hands upon him, and the man saw men as trees walking. Then laying his hands upon him again his sight was fully restored.

VIII. PETER'S GREAT CONFESSION (Matt. 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21). From Bethsaida Jesus went to Cassarea Philippi, accompanied by his apostles. When they came near the city Peter, in answer to Jesus' question, boldly declared, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus accepted this confession of Peter's, saying, "his Father in heaven had revealed it unto him," and promised him the special dignity of the keys of the kingdom.

IX. CHRIST FORETELLS HIS DEATH (Matt. 16:2128; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27). Jesus then began to reveal to his disciples the suffering and death he must endure at the hands of the rulers at Jerusalem, but also told them that in three days he would rise again from the grave. The apostles could not comprehend such an announcement, and Peter began to rebuke the Lord, but Jesus checked him and told them that all who would follow him must take up his cross.

X. THE TRANSFIGURATION (Matt. 17:1-13; Mark 9:213; Luke 9:28-36). After this sad prediction Jesus took Peter, James and John to Mt. Hermon to engage in prayer. The apostles fell asleep, and suddenly Christ was transfigured before them, and when they awoke they saw his raiment white as snow and his countenance shone like the sun, and two men stood with him. These men were Moses and Elias, who spoke with Jesus concerning his coming decease. Peter suggested that they build three tabernacles for these three holy ones to occupy and thus establish the kingdom, and escape the death that awaited Christ at Jerusalem. But just then a cloud overshadowed them and the voice of the Father spoke:" This is my beloved Son; hear ye him." The Old Testament saints disappeared and they saw Jesus only, and he bade the disciples rise and fear not, and they descended the mount together.

XI. HEALING THE DEMONIAC BOY (Matt. 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42). When they returned to Caesarea Philippi, they found that the nine apostles had not been able to heal a demoniac boy that had been brought to them. Jesus commanded them to bring the boy to him, and when he appeared he fell into one of his sudden paroxysms, and Jesus told the father all things were possible to those who believed; and when the father confessed his belief Jesus healed the boy.

XII. CHRIST AGAIN FORETELLS HIS DEATH (Matt. 17:22, 23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45)- As they started on their way to Capernaum, Jesus again reminded his apostles of his rejection by the rulers, of his coming death and glorious resurrection; yet they did not fully understand him.

XIII. TRIBUTE MONEY PROVIDED (Matt. 17:24-27). After Jesus with the disciples arrived at Capernaum those who received the tribute money came to Peter and asked him whether their Master did not pay tribute. And he answered him "yes." After Peter came into the house Jesus asked him, "Of whom do the kings of the earth take tribute? " Peter answered, "From strangers." Jesus said, " Then are the children free." But in order not to offend them he commanded Peter to go to the sea and take a hook and cast into the water and "take up the fish that first cometh up, and in his mouth thou shalt find a piece of money. This take, and pay the tribute for me and for thee."

XIV. DISCOURSE ON HUMILITY AND FORGIVENESS (Matt. 18:1-35; Mark 9:33-5o; Luke 9:46-50; 17:1-4). Although Jesus had reminded them of his coming suffering, yet the disciples were contemplating a glorious kingdom and even began to dispute in regard to the chief positions in the kingdom. Jesus knew their thoughts, and taking a little child he set him in their midst and taught them an object lesson on humility and forgiveness, telling them that unless they would humble themselves like little children they could not even enter the kingdom. He impressed these lessons by the parables of the lost sheep and by the king and his servants.

XV. SECRET DEPARTURE FOR JERUSALEM (John 7:1-13). When the feast of Tabernacles drew near, many pilgrims went to Jerusalem, and Jesus' brethren desired him to go up to Jerusalem and there perform some of his miracles. But the Jews were seeking his life, and Jesus did not go until a few days later, and then he made a secret journey to Jerusalem.

XVI. JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (John 7:14-52). Jesus suddenly appeared at the temple in the midst of the feast and there taught the people openly. Although the rulers desired to kill him, they feared to do so on account of the people who loved him. At length the rulers sent officers to take him, but Jesus continued teaching, and on the last and great day of the feast boldly preached of the living waters of the Spirit which should flow forth when he was glorified, and even the officers waiting to take him declared they could not, for never man spake as this man.

QUESTIONS.

• Name and locate the events of this period.
• Why did they forsake Jesus after the sermon on the Bread of Life?
• Draw map and trace journeys and locate events.
• What did Jesus teach them in reference to defilement?
• How was the Syrophoenician woman rewarded for her faith?
• Where was the deaf stammerer healed?
• Where did Christ feed the four thousand; with what were they fed?
• What sign did he promise them?
• What did he mean to teach by the " Beware of the leaven "?
• Where was the blind man healed?
• Give Peter's confession.
• How did the apostles receive the announcement of his death?
• Why did Peter rebuke him?
• Who was present at the Transfiguration?
• What did Peter suggest to do?
• What testimony from heaven concerning Jesus?
• Who was at the foot of the mountain waiting to be healed?
• Draw map and locate events.
• When did he again foretell his death?
• How does he illustrate "humility "?
• What feast occurred at Jerusalem at this time?
• What special lessons did he teach on the last day of the feast?