September 26, 2021
Evening Service

This morning we listened as Jesus taught to us through six parables.  He revealed to us that the kingdom He was building was starting small, but would grow in a phenomenal way.  He compared it to a small mustard seed growing into a tree and a small amount of leaven spreading throughout the entire amount of meal.  We have seen that parable come true.  He showed us that this kingdom should be valued greatly as one would value a hidden treasure or beautiful pearl giving up all you have to possess it.  He explained to us that there is a coming day when just as a dragnet pulls in fish and the fisherman keeps the good and throws away the bad, so shall it be at the judgement time of Christ.  Tonight we travel with Jesus down the road just a bit to His hometown of Nazareth.

 Mat 13:53-58 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  (54)  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  (55)  Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  (56)  And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?"  (57)  So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  (58)  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

            The people of Nazareth knew Jesus and had watched Him grow up and was well acquainted with his family.  They struggled to believe His message because they were so close to the situation.  When Jesus began his ministry and shared with them the same words that everyone else accepted readily as from a prophet, they could not see beyond that this was Jesus the son of the carpenter.  That familiarity became a wall that they could not bring themselves to overcome and believe Him and His message.  They were so close to Him and knew Him well and allowed that to hinder their faith.

            Have you ever had that wall built between you and someone very close and familiar with you?  We desire greatly to share the good news of Christ with our closest family and friends, yet they seem to have a deaf ear to your words.  It is the same basic principle as when parents instruct their teens about an issue and they pay no attention, but when someone else they look up to tells them the same thing it becomes amazing advice.  There are certain people that are very close to us that for that reason we seem unable to reach and them and it can become frustrating.  Give that person over to the Lord and pray that He sends someone to them that they will listen to but always be ready to speak if you discern that they are ready to finally listen.

            Another historical fact we learn from this text is that Jesus had several half brothers and sisters.  The Catholic Church teaches that Mary had no other children but Jesus and here we see that is not true.  It is believed by some that His brother James, is the one who wrote the Book of James.

            Matthew now shares with us the fate of Jesus’ cousin and forerunner John the Baptist.

 

Mat 14:1-12 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus (2) and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  (3)  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  (4)  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  (5)  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  (6)  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  (7)  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  (8)  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  (9)  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  (10)  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  (11)  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  (12)  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

            This is a sad end to a great man who never compromised his faith or message of repentance no matter to whom he was speaking.  Speaking the truth can be very unfavorable to some but we cannot come to a point that we are “tolerant” of sin and accept it as a part of life.  Sin is sin and we must call it by its right name and call for the one committing it to come to repentance.

            This had to be difficult for Jesus to lose not only a true and faithful follower, but also a confidant, friend and cousin.  He was one of a very few people who understood who He really was from the beginning.  Matthew tells us His response.

 

Mat 14:13-14 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  (14)  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

            Jesus spent much time alone with His Father in prayer and this was a time He needed that companionship and the strength it brought to Him.  Is it true for you as well?  In times of loss and grief isn’t it comforting to fall into your Heavenly Father’s arms and let Him console you through the Spirit.  Lately, I find myself many times during each day just crying out to Him for His presence to heal and comfort my brokenness.  I can’t imagine going through life without Him to run to.

  Grief however is not a reason to quit living, loving or serving.  Notice when Jesus saw the multitudes come to Him, “He was moved with compassion for them.”  That is the example we are to follow.  Having a loving compassionate attitude for those around us that are hurting no matter what our circumstances may be.  Now we experience another miracle right before our eyes.

 

Mat 14:15-21 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."  (16)  But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."  (17)  And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."  (18)  He said, "Bring them here to Me."  (19)  Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  (20)  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  (21)  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

            We as the 13^th disciple had to feel overwhelmed at the task Jesus had just laid out for us; “you give them something to eat.”  The planners in the group, like me, again had to be very stressed out because we could not envision two fish and 5 loaves feeding this multitude of hungry and weary people; it just did not add up!  What we saw happen would change our perspective forever!  We again get to witness another miracle!  To feed 5000 men, which including the women and children could have been more like 10-15000, with only 5 loaves and 2 fish is miraculous.  Not only that but there were 12 baskets of leftovers!   Can you picture the disciples serving the food out of baskets and they got fuller the more that was taken out from them?  Seeing this happen right before our eyes had to be so exciting and joyful.  Imagine after all the multitude had left and you finally had a moment to reflect on what had just happened.  We talk about among ourselves in amazement and then glance over and see the eyes of our Savior looking at us and smiling.

 

 What do we learn from this?

·        Always bless your food before you eat it.

·        Never underestimate what Jesus can do with what little you have.

·        God often not only grants you just enough to get by, but often gives you leftovers.

·        Whatever we have plus Jesus is enough.

·        Jesus asked for all they had and made what was given enough.

 

Following Jesus is an adventure every day.  He often steps in and makes the normal into something miraculous.  The good news is all we have to do is follow, trust, and believe Him in all He tells us to do.  The results are up to Him and His power, thankfully not mine or yours!  Need a miracle?  Ask and believe that He is able!

 

Heavenly Father, grant to us the faith to never underestimate what you can do.