made notable by several incidents:  (a) We have the sending out of the twelve on a tour of preaching, healing and raising the dead; (b) The story of the death of John the Baptist, who was the first New Testament person to suffer martyrdom for his conviction; (c) Two great miracles, that of feeding the five thousand and of walking on the sea; (d) Two great discourses of Jesus, that on “The Bread of Life” and on “Eating with unwashed hands.”

(7) His first retirement into the north and return to the sea of Galilee. (Matt. 15:21-16:12; Mk. 7:24-8:26).  Jesus went up into the coast of Tyre and Sidon where he healed the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman.  On the return trip he passed through Decapolis where he healed a deaf and dumb man and performed many other miracles.  After his return we have the record of the feeding of the four thousand, of his encountering the Pharisees about his authority and the story of the blind man of Bethsaida.

(8) The second retirement to the north and return to Capernaum. (Matt. 16:13-18 end; Mk. 8:27-9 end; Lu. 9:18-50).  Jesus again journeys into the north and came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi where he drew from Peter the great confession, predicted his coming death, was transfigured before the favored three and healed the lunatic boy.  On his return, as he neared Capernaum, he again foretold his death and resurrection and after he arrived at Capernaum, we have recorded the story of the coin in the fish’s mouth and his discourse on humility, offenses and forgiveness.

(9) Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles. (John chs. 7-8).  By this time the joyous season of the Feast of Tabernacles drew near and his brothers, who though they did not believe in his deity, seemed to have some pride in him and urged him to go up among the people and make a display of his power.  This he refused to do but went up secretly, probably with the hope of escaping the antagonism that was now being manifested toward him.  There was, however, great excitement at Jerusalem concerning him and he found it necessary to go into the temple and boldly proclaim the teachings of his kingdom.  These teachings may be studied under four heads:  (a) The teaching of the first day and the division of the Jews concerning him; (b) The story of the adulterous woman; (c) His teaching concerning himself as the “Light of the World.”  He probably looked upon the great light over the treasury of the Lord’s house which burned each night in commemoration of the cloud of fire that always guided and lighted Israel in the wilderness and was reminded of his own service for humanity and was prompted to this discourse; (d) His discourse on spiritual freedom and true children of Abraham.