Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Peace, Be Still,” pp.333–341; “The Touch of Faith,” pp. 342–348, in The Desire of Ages.

“In all who are under the training of God is to be revealed a lifethat is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; andeveryone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking tothe heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we waitbefore Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice ofGod. He bids us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ Ps. 46:10. Herealone can true rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation forall who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’sintense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded withan atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance,and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.”—Ellen G.White, The Desire of Ages, p. 363.“Their dissatisfied hearts queried why, if Jesus could perform somany wondrous works as they had witnessed, could He not give health,strength, and riches to all His people, free them from their oppressors,and exalt them to power and honor? The fact that He claimed to be theSent of God, and yet refused to be Israel's king, was a mystery whichthey could not fathom. His refusal was misinterpreted. Many concludedthat He dared not assert His claims because He Himself doubted as tothe divine character of His mission. Thus they opened their hearts tounbelief, and the seed which Satan had sown bore fruit of its kind, inmisunderstanding and defection.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 385.Discussion Questions:Ê How would you respond if someone asked you, What has Jesusfreed you from?Ë Discuss why it is that God sometimes allows a good personsuch as John the Baptist to be placed in prison and to be executed.What solace or hope can we find, despite these difficult things?Ì What lessons are there in the feeding of the 5,000 for a churchcongregation with few resources?Í Compare popular views of Jesus today with the picture of Himin Mark 5 and 6. That is, what about those who use Jesus to seekpolitical power and to dominate others?