Matthew 14

Herod the tetrarch is Herod Antipas, one of Herod the Great’s sons. He ruled Galilee and Perea after his fathers death. He can function as a warning for us. Steeped in worldliness and sensuality, he ends up killing someone he seems to grudgingly respect because of a hasty promise. And it haunts him. He hears about Jesus, and his thoughts immediately go to John the Baptist, the man he had killed! So, how are our lives? Are they steeped in regret from bad decisions we’ve made? Are we trying to live our lives to bring glory to God, or do worldliness and sensuality control us?

The feeding of the 5000 shows us Jesus’ compassion but it also teaches us an important lesson about ministry. The disciples are overwhelmed with the need and only see the lack of resources. Jesus understands the greatness of God’s resources and the wonder of His grace. We need to see and understand things the way Jesus does! And Jesus fully understands that He needs to nurture His relationship with God. He frequently went off by Himself to commune with the Father. If He needed to do it, how much more do we?

Many focus on Peter’s lack of faith when he saw the wind and the waves, and rightly so, because Jesus rebukes him for it. It reminds us that we shouldn’t allow difficult circumstances in our lives to cause us to doubt God’s goodness, purpose, or love. But at least Peter knew exactly what to do when he felt overwhelmed. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” In effect, we see those at Gennesaret understanding the same thing. They came in droves because they believed that Jesus could help them. What a difference from how those in His hometown behaved!

Thought for the day: Do you go to God first or last when you need help? Is He only a last resort, or is He your first priority?

John 15:5 (WEB) “I [Jesus] am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”