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Matthew

Offended By Jesus

Matthew 13:57-58

Even though they had seen Jesus perform miracles and speak with godly wisdom, the people of His own town where He grew up were confused about Him (Matthew 13:53-56).  They could not understand Him, patronise Him or control Him.  He was no longer seen as the village carpenter, because Jesus proved that He was superior to them in every way.  Even though Jesus had received no higher education, He was wiser than those who had, and His words penetrated people's souls.  And they were offended by Him and His authority (Matthew 7:29).  

Old Ghosts Or New Life Through Repentance

Matthew 14:1-5

Herod was afraid.  Although he was the king in charge of the southern part of Israel, including Jerusalem, he was afraid of godly people and afraid of the truth.  His fear of the people was due to their enthusiastic support for John the Baptist, who Herod had imprisoned and then killed.  Herod's wife demanded that John was beheaded because he had criticised her incestuous marriage.  Herod feared his wife and so murdered John (Matthew 14:6-12); but then he also feared the people, who might revolt and then Rome would take away his power and probably his head too (John 11:48).
 

Rash Promises Are Opportunities For Evil

Matthew 14:6-12

This is a sad narrative.  King Herod was trapped by his pride, and afraid of his wife's anger; he agreed to murder a godly man.  The king had married Herodias who was his brother's wife, while his brother was still alive.  It was a wilful act of defiance against God's law (Leviticus 20:21).  Although Herodias was thrilled to have the power of being the 'queen', John the Baptist told Herod that the relationship was not right before God.  That inflamed Herodias.  Putting John in prison protected him from the queen’s anger and also gave Herod the opportunity to continue their interesting discu

Personal Reflection And Public Compassion

Matthew 14:13-14

John the Baptist was dead.  Jesus received the news that John had been murdered in cold blood; executed because he spoke the truth from God (Matthew 14:3-12).  The two men had a special bond; John was probably a distant cousin to Jesus (their mothers were related (Luke 1:36)), as well as being God’s prophet to announce Jesus to the world (Matthew 17:12-13).  John baptised Jesus and then diminished his ministry so that his followers could follow Jesus (John 1:35-37).  So Jesus would have had a great personal sadness when He heard of the shocking news.
 

Getting The Trainees Involved

Matthew 14:15-17

Challenges are growth points: no challenge, no growth.  Jesus was not taken by surprise that huge crowds had followed them to a deserted place without any shops, places to eat or sleep.  Towards the end of the day the disciples anticipated a great logistical problem - feeding 5,000 men and their families with no supplies (Matthew 14:21).  And besides that, the trainee apostles were exhausted from their mission trips around the towns and villages (Luke 9:10-12).  Their practical solution was to send the people away before darkness fell, hoping they could find food in the nearest town.

Miraculous Message

Matthew 14:18-21

Five bread rolls and two fish are not enough to feed 5,000 families (John 6:5-9).  But they were the starting point for one of Jesus' notable miracles.  His compassion was not limited to healing and teaching; He wanted to teach His disciples that He was the Bread of Life, sent from heaven to give life to the world.  The miracle was one of the 'signs' in John's Gospel to illustrate Christ's Divine nature (John 6:35).
 

Alone In Prayer While There Is A Storm At Sea

Matthew 14:22-24

The day had not turned out as the disciples had expected. They wanted some respite from their mission activities; they wanted to tell Jesus what had happened, and they were also tired. Instead, they spent the day stewarding 5,000 families who came to hear Jesus and receive healing. Then in the afternoon, Jesus set them a test to feed the crowd, but all they could find was a boy's picnic. However, Jesus multiplied the food so that they fed everybody and there was a lot left over for them to collect.
 

The Words Which Quieten Fear

Matthew 14:25-27

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus had ordered the disciples to cross the sea by boat at night. The disciples were tired before they started but by the end of the night, they were exhausted, rowing for much of the night against a strong wind and waves (Matthew 14:22-24).  Jesus had been on shore talking to Father God, so the disciples did not have Him on board to encourage them.  But just before first light, Jesus came to them.

Walking On Water

Matthew 14:28-31

It was early morning on Lake Galilee. The disciples were tired, having rowed against the wind through the night, when they were startled by a ghostly figure walking on the water near the boat. Their cry of alarm was more than matched by Jesus' reassurance, "It is I. Don't be afraid!" (Matthew 14:22-27). Peter, who was quick to respond, wanted to be sure that he was hearing and seeing rightly, so he challenged the misty figure to answer back.

Who Is Jesus?

Matthew 14:32-36

Jesus had walked on the water. Peter stepped out of the boat to meet Him, initially in faith, and then doubt, and then fear: but Jesus caught him as he was beginning to sink. The others in the boat had rowed towards the Saviour and the saved man. As they climbed back aboard they were in awe of Jesus; they fell down on their knees in the boat and bowed to Him in worship.
 

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