14
(There were more than five thousand people in the crowd.)
15
They did what he said, and soon had everyone seated.
16
He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread and fish to the disciples to hand out to the crowd.
17
After the people had all eaten their fill, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up.
18
One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, "What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?"
19
They said, "John the Baptizer. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back."
20
He then asked, "And you - what are you saying about me? Who am I?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."
21
Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet. They were to tell no one what Peter had said.
22
He went on, "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive."
23
Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat - I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.
24
Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.