May 29, 2024
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Reading along with us in Matthew? Here’s today’s reading:
Matthew 14 (NIV)
John the Baptist Beheaded
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,……Continue Reading
Matthew 14.
Matthew 14
Matthew 14 John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod’s orders so he could save face in front of the people who heard the request made by his daughter. When Jesus heard he went into solitude for a short time then when he saw the crowd that had been following him he had compassion on them. Jesus performed miracles of feeding 5000 people with just 5 loaves of bread, he was showing his divine power.
The disciples were in the boat and suddenly saw Jesus walking towards them on the water, Peter was the only one with enough faith to get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus but as soon as he got distracted he started sinking because he had taken his eyes off of Jesus, that’s a perfect example for us how when we let things get in the way of our relationship with Jesus, why do we doubt as Peter did.
Matthew 14
Matthew 14:18 “He said, Bring them hither to me.”
What ever you have, be it much, or the “widow’s mite,” consign it to Christ’s care, let him bless it. It belongs to the Father anyway! -reb
Herodias surely had an evil plan in mind and certainly was sure to see it carried out. Using her daughter to get the head of John the Baptist was truly evil on so many levels. To use your daughter’s body and take advantage of your husband by putting him in such a tricky situation to get what you want is so sad! Certainly both had the option to refuse but what a gross misuse of trust in their relationships by Herodias.
Jesus feeds five thousand and walks on water! There is such a crowd that follows Him everywhere He goes at this point. A sight to see I am sure! I am always overwhelmed at these accounts considering travel then was not like it was now. These people were walking and walking for days and days to see Him, to hear Him, and to hopefully touch His robe that they may experience His power. We should never take for granted that we have full access to Him from wherever we are!
14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
”So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”“
Matthew 14:29-33 NKJV
Matthew 14, touching of Jesus garment healed them
Herod was afraid that John had risen from the dead because of the miracles that Jesus was doing. He was feeling very guilty as he should be for he took the life of a man of God. Just so he wouldn`t be embarrassed. What folly. But John did say earlier that He { Jesus } must increase and that he { John} must decrease. John3:30. It would seem that the Lord allowed John`s death because he fulfilled his ministry of preparing the way for Jesus. It was all part of the plan. Sometimes we don`t get it for we are finite people. But God always knows and is in complete control. Even when Satan thinks he has killed the Son of God and Jesus instead conquers death and rises again. We have the All Powerful ONE on our side. So take heart when you feel down and discouraged and remember that Jesus is always there with us and He will never fail us. Look upon Him and be grateful and thankful and count the many blessings that He has given each one of us. God bless.
Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. Actually the number would be much higher for it reads five thousand men, besides women and children. The women and children would be added to the already five thousand men. Perhaps the number could be ten thousand. It seems that only the men are counted. Perhaps the culture at the time? But either way it is still a miracle that Jesus did. There was even pieces left over and everyone was full. Then Jesus sent right away His disciples into a ship while He sent the multitudes away. He went to pray on a mountain top for some time. After all He was tired and had to have time with God the Father. It says that Jesus was alone when evening came and then He came to His disciples on the fourth watch of the night. So would that be around 6 or 8 at night when He was alone. The fourth watch of the night would be between 3 to 6 in the morning. So His disciples were by themselves for most of the night. This also hints at how long His prayers were to God the Father. And then He just walks to them on the water. As Cindy has said; Peter shows his faith in the Lord by walking on the water to Jesus that is until he takes his eyes off of the Lord. The only one that even tried of all the other disciples. Then Jesus heals the sick when they touch His garment. Just like the woman that had a issue of blood and she was healed by touching His garment. Because of her faith as Jesus had said. God bless.
How sad how and why John the Baptist is killed. But all those who stand for righteousness will upset someone and attempts are often made by them to silence the source. And what a great display of power the feeding of the 5,000 is. Just imagine what it takes to make 4,998 fish and enough bread for 5,000+ people. It defies explanation that it could be done otherwise. And the mentioning of the pieces verifies that Jesus actually made more food and not just did the miracle of just making people feel full. They all ate. Truly awesome! And if that’s not enough, let’s throw in walking on water as another thing Jesus can do. Oh, and by the way, He can heal you not only by touching you, but by you touching Him. Truly, He is the Son of God!
Matthew 14