November 7, 2010
Evening Service

Matt. 14

 

Review:

1.       This morning we looked at several parables.  Some concerning the Kingdom of God, others concerning the end times, and yet others concerning the value of the Kingdom.

 

Let’s look at what chapter 14 holds in store for us;

 

Mat 14:1-36  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,  (2)  And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him. 

• Then it is explained what happened to John.

(3)  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.  (4)  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.  (5)  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  (6)  But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.  (7)  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.  (8)  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.  (9)  And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.  (10)  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.  (11)  And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.  (12)  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 

• John spoke to Kings.  It didn’t matter to him, he was a prophet of God.
• John is dealing with the worse kind of unbelief.  A person’s life means nothing to this King.
• They are having a wild birthday party of reveling for the King. 
• The King makes an oath to Herodias’s daughter for dancing for him, and she asks for the head of John Baptist.  An oath means nothing to this King, he is a child of the devil.  This is the way the world is, controlled by satan, full of lies, treachery, and deceit.  Herod wanted to kill John, and this just gives him a way of getting it done without upsetting the people too much.
• This is raw carnage.  It’s hard for us to imagine some of the things that went on back in those days.  Human life meant very little.  Judy and I watch the History channel, and it’s hard to believe some of the things that went on in the name of God, and Christianity.

(13)  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.  (14)  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.  (15)  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.  (16)  But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.  (17)  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.  (18)  He said, Bring them hither to me.  (19)  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.  (20)  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.  (21)  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 

• So probably closer to 10 to 12 thousand.
• The world, or natural man can’t believe this actually happened.  But we do.

(22)  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to gobefore him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  (23)  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  (24)  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  (25)  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  (26)  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  (27)  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 

• I think this is a tremendous lesson for us today. 
• We all have things going on in our lives with ourselves, and family, and friends.  Once we talk it over with Jesus the ball is in His court.  I have all confidence that He will do what is best for me, and my situation.  He is Almighty God, there is nothing He can’t do, or take care of.  We don’t always understand why things are done the way they are, but if you are a child of God, it will be worked out for you.  He will answer prayer.

(28)  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  (29)  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  (30)  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  (31)  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 

• The lesson here is very clear.  DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE LORD.

(32)  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  (33)  Then they that were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.  (34)  And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.  (35)  And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;  (36)  And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

 

This is the same Jesus that told His disciples that where two or three are gathered in My name I will be there in the midst of them.  I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Whatever you need from me, ask, and I will deal with it for what is best for you.

 

Build our faith o God to that of a grain of mustard seed.  Amen.