[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 14
“They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16)
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27)
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED (vs. 1-12)
“Herod the Great was the king who slew the boys age 2 and below (Matthew 2:16-18). Herod Antipas was a younger brother of Herod the Great. He was a tetrarch – the ruler over a fourth of the kingdom. Herod Antipas was the king that had John the Baptist beheaded. All the Herods had Edomite blood and heated the Jews.
Herod Antipas had divorced his wife and took Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. When John told Herod that what he did was unlawful, Herod was displeased. He wanted to kill John but because people considered him as a prophet, he was afraid to do so.
During Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for them. As a reward, Herod promised to give her whatever she asked with an oath. By the instruction of her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist to be placed on a platter. So John was beheaded.
JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND (vs. 13-21)
After knowing the news about John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowd followed him and Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples wanted to send the crowds away but Jesus told the disciples to give them something to eat. With only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, Jesus was able to feed the 5000 excluding women and children. And there were 12 basketfuls of leftovers.
JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER (vs. 22-26)
Jesus dismissed the crowds and told the disciples to ride a boat and sail ahead while he went up to a mountain side by himself to pray. During the 4th watch (3am – 6am), Jesus walked on the lake. The disciples thought it was a ghost but Jesus assured them that is was he and not to be afraid. Then Peter asked permission to go down into the water. Jesus said: “Come”. Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water. But when his eyes looked around, he was frightened and began to sink. He cried out: “Lord, save me”. Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him. He told Peter not to doubt have to have faith. Those in the boat recognized that Jesus is truly the Son of God. When they landed at Gennesaret, people brought their sick and begged Him to let the sick touch the edge of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed (v. 36)
SUMMARY:
John was a faithful servant of God who preached God’s truth, yet he was beheaded. Many Christians who are faithful to the Word of God will also suffer persecution.
Jesus had compassion on the people. Instead of sending them away, he fed them and satisfied their hunger. Jesus is teaching us to have compassion on the needy by sharing what we have. Jesus is the Bread of Life. We should also share His Word to satisfy the spiritual needs of people.
Jesus withdrew from crowd and went to pray at the mountain side. We also need to have devotional time with Christ to hear His voice and refresh ourselves physically and mentally.
During the darkest hours, Jesus appeared to the disciples to still the storm and assured them of His presence. When storms of life come, look to Jesus. He is always ready to rescue and comfort us.
Peter walked on the water based on Christ’s word “Come”. But when he wandered and looked around, he began to sink. When we have faith focusing on Jesus, we will not fail. But when we begin to be distracted by the world around us, we will begin to fall into sin.
Let us conquer doubt and fear through faith in Christ. For He had promised to give us peace that transcends all understanding.[:]