Bible Verse Synopsis 3-3-25
Matthew 14
John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. The story here has little meaning and lessons except the one. Herod swore an oath to his niece, that whatever she wanted she would have. His niece, who John had said Herod could not have and was imprisoned for such, asked for John's head in a charger at the behest of her mother Herodias. For the sake of the oath, Herod feared the backlash of the people or John would have been beheaded already, Herod followed through and did just that. The power of an oath is so very strong and we are compelled to follow any oath we make. Make no oath to any man or anything from man or we shall be overcome by dread and be cast into the pit with Herod and Herodias. Most oaths will take us down this path. However, John's role as the introducer to Christ was fulfilled as was the prophecy surrounding him and the prophecies he gave.
When Jesus heard of this He went to a desert place by ship. The people followed Him on foot. In compassion Christ landed the boat and healed their ill and wailing. All were without food and had none all day. The disciples urged Jesus to send them away. Verse 16 - "But Christ said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat". When Christ broke the 5 loaves and 3 fishes and blessed them, all were filled. 12 baskets were left over and there were 5000 men excluding the women and children there. Christ first takes (our repentance), blesses (our new life), breaks (our reliance on man), and gave (us life eternal). Christ can perform miracles of plenty with little. The joy we give Him is compounded when we follow Him.
Immediately following the impromptu dinner for thousands, Jesus sends away the people and sends the disciples back to the ship to return to Capernaum ahead of Him. The people were filled both spiritually and physically. So should our relationship with Christ fill us up. Jesus went up to a mount to pray and was there alone. The Holy Spirit told Jesus that the disciples were fighting the Sea of Galilee. So Christ walked out to them through the storm ON THE WATER! When the disciples saw Him they were afraid. They could not believe it was Jesus and cried out in fear! Jesus spoke out to them and said "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid". - Verse 27. Peter answered Him with a test. If it is allow me to walk out to you. So Peter did! That is until he looked away from Christ and fell prey to the fear of the storm. Jesus caught Him as he began to sink saying "O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt?" - Verse 31. Peter and Jesus boarded the ship and the sea was calm. The disciples worshipped Christ as God and Messiah from then on.
The lessons here are many. But, all tie together well. We also face a raging sea (the sea of life). Christ is always walking on the water we just have to turn our heads in His direction to see Him and be calmed. Life rages around us and we are oft distracted and torn away from Him. This weakness allows us to sink into the water as Peter did. Yet, when we reach back out to Him, He is there to save us. Keeping our focus on God in all the things we do is paramount to the life eternal we all so greatly desire. It will not be easy and never was intended to be since the Fall of man (Adam and Eve). We are no stronger than any man, but with the help of God, we too can sail of calm water in our lives.
Once they had landed, they went into Gennesaret. The country was rounded up and brought all the sick to Him. The touch of the hem of His garment was as they requested and all were healed. To think of the power given from the touch of His clothing. How much their must be in His hand and in His Heart. The blessings from Christ we are given are innumerable and only continue to flow with our faith strong in Him. Keep your Faith strong, weather the storm, reach for His hand; in this our souls with be filled.