Matthew 14
-We see the paranoia in Herod here as he contemplates what
he had done to a man of God. He fears somewhat for his future, and Luke tells
that he was seeking to see Jesus continually. It is interesting that Herod had
heard the news of Jesus and of the things that were going on in His ministry.
We see the perplexity of this worldly leader as he grapples with the
testimonies and eye witnesses who bring news of the Man of God, who they
couldn’t quite figure out. Besides John the Baptist’s reincarnation, word of
Elijah’s return was being discussed, so there was certainly some debate and
intrigue going on around this region as the Son of God made Himself known to
man. *Application* How hard do you
seek out the truth of a matter. Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).” When you need answers, find Jesus in His Word and
you will know all the answers because His Spirit will reveal all things to you
(John 14:26).
-Herod was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (just east of
the Jordan River and north of the Dead Sea) under the Roman authority. We see
the fact that he was a people pleaser because of his fear of man in this
account in Scripture. He feared the crowds because they regarded John as a
prophet, and could possibly revolt against him. He feared his lords and had
John killed to uphold his reputation before them because of his oath. This
petrifying fear was generational from his father, who was extremely paranoid
and suspecting of any uprising against his ambiguous kingship and authority. He
was also foolish with his words and made promises he should not have made. His
decision to have John beheaded was expedient and in his view the lesser of two
evils (or in other words fears of man). For him it was either go back on his
word in front of his leadership and appease the populace who regarded John as a
prophet, or have him killed and have the believers in John upset. He chose to
have John’s life taken; thereby committing murder against the Lord. Jesus later
encounters Herod Antipas and had no words for him during His trial in Jerusalem
(Luke 23:7-11). When Jesus did not respond to Herod’s inquisitions in an effort
to see a sign, Herod mocked the Lord and treated Him with contempt. Jesus knew
that if he had rejected the messenger (John), He would have nothing to add to
the words John had already given him. Herod’s chance for redemption had passed
and there was no hope for this people pleaser. Afterwards, sadly the disciples
came and took John’s headless body and buried him in a tomb. John the Baptist
was a prophetic martyr for the cause of the Kingdom. *Application* How expedient (advantageous for practical rather than
moral reasons) are you in your decision making? Do you consider what is right
before the Lord in making your choices? Life is about our choices and we either
reap the benefit or bear the consequence for every decision. John the Baptist
feared God and spoke the truth; Herod pleased people and was more than likely eternally
doomed.
-Obviously this is a miracle of multiplication on a grand
scale that we read about here in next episode of Matthew’s biographical
account. Jesus is concerned for the physical and spiritual needs of these
people that had followed Him and come to Him as a Shepherd. He felt compassion
for them knowing their hearts and did not mind their interruption to His
seclusion. He took this opportunity to show them a massive miracle, among other
healings, and to further train His disciples in faith and responsibility. There
was an order to how the multitude was divided up and a Divine giving of thanks
as His blessed the food that was to be portioned out to the hungry throng. When
all was said and done, the five loaves and two fish were more than enough to
satisfy the masses. *Application*
The twelve baskets of abundance is significant. When we give our time, talent,
and treasure as the young boy did in this account we will be blessed beyond
measure and reap an abundant harvest that would otherwise be impossible. I
heard an account of a modern day miracle of multiplication that surrounded
Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, LA. A gentleman was sharing with us how his
mission/ministry team was giving out blankets to a group that they knew was too
large to accommodate for the supply that they had. They prayed over the
blankets and began to pass them out. They kept passing out blankets and lo and
behold every person that wanted a blanket got one by the end of their distribution.
God stills works in mysterious ways and has compassion for our need. He
generates supply in miraculous ways when we are yielded to His ways and means.
Give generously as the young lad did and you will also see great multiplication
of it. Don’t horde things ever. This is selfish and does no one any good. Let
go and let God. Sharing is multiplication!
-Matthew gives us the most vivid account of this often
referred to miracle of Jesus Christ when He walked on the water (Matthew
14:22-33). Christ intended to pass by them and meet them on the other side
after He had been alone on the mountain praying to the Father in the Spirit. He
had to have been tired, but His desire was to do the will of the Father first
and foremost. He forfeited His own well-being to communicate with the Father as
we see in this passage. He had to calm the fears of the disciples as they saw
Him walking on the stormy sea. Matthew tells us of how Peter had the faith to
call out for a command to come walking on the water himself to Jesus in shear
faith. Peter got the command and obeyed also being given the ability to do the
physically impossible, but he started to get frightened by his circumstances
and doubt came in quickly. Jesus was within arm’s length of rescuing His
disciple and took the opportunity to ask an important question. Jesus rebuked
his lack of faith in the middle of his efforts and asked why he began to doubt.
When they got back in the boat the winds died down and immediately they were on
the shore to their destination (Matthew 14:32, John 6:21). *Application* There is much in this account that should make us
reflect and a plethora to draw from. Today, our concern should be the
realization that Christ is within arm’s length of us when we step out of the
boat of stability into the unknown and sometimes stormy sea of faith. Sometimes
we are confident in obeying God’s initial commands to leave behind our security
and we impetuously leap out of the boat with reckless abandon only to get out
there and realize that what we’ve done should probably be considered impossible
and impractical. It is at those times that we often demonstrate a lack of faith
that is displeasing to the Lord. But He is always there to pick us up and make
us realize that He is worth it all and worthy of all our praise and devotion.
He has a way of getting us back on track and back to a place where we can say
that He was our rescue and deliverer, an ever-present help in times of trouble
(Psalm 37:39). Keep the faith! There’s no reason to doubt Him!
-The chapter ends with more miraculous healings with just a
touch of His garment in the land of Gennesaret (located on the west side of the
Sea of Galilee).
Verse to Memorize:
Matthew 14:20
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