The Miracles

Early in His ministry, Jesus began performing miracles and healings, which infuriated and frightened those in power. Early on, two groups were most worried about Jesus. These were the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were not priests or men of God. Instead, they were more like lawyers and tax collectors, men who used their knowledge of the Old Testament to create rules and control the people.

Even with the eyes of Judea and beyond on Him, Jesus performed miracle after miracle.

He healed a disabled man simply by telling the man that his sins were forgiven.
With Jesus and His apostles trapped in a storm in the Sea of Galilee, Jesus woke from a nap and calmed the sea with just a few words.
Jesus fed 5,000 people from just five loaves of bread and two fish.
Coming across a dead child and her wailing parents, Jesus told the girl to “get up,” after which she returned from the dead!
He turned water into wine!
The Pharisees and Sadducees were in a tough spot. The people loved Jesus, but to the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus was not a person they wanted to follow. They expected a mighty king or warrior, a man of power like them, not such a kind and simple man.

The Apostles

As Jesus traveled and preached, perhaps no one picked up His words and teachings more than the twelve extraordinary men who became His apostles. These apostles hung on Jesus’ every deed and word, and wanted to be more like Him so they could better help spread His Gospels.

The apostles were Simon Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

The apostles took on the same responsibilities and dangers as Jesus by sharing God’s word and standing up to corruption and unjust power!

The apostles were essential to Jesus’ ability to teach and spread His word. Some days, Jesus would teach. Other days, He would be busy helping and healing people. Still other days, Jesus would pray, talk to, or listen to God. Having a force of twelve “experts” allowed Jesus’ words and deeds to spread farther and faster. This also invited more danger as Herod Antipas and Roman officials would undoubtedly be hearing the news!