Herod
Mat 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
Mat 14:2 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.
Imagine the fear in Herod's mind, thinking that John had risen from the dead? Yet John himself had testified that Jesus was greater than he.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Mat 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Mat 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
John, speaking with the boldness of a prophet, rebuking sin, was unafraid of the power of the Roman governor. Oh, but the evil wife, as Jezebel before her, filled with iniquity, had him bound. Let it be understood, that we do not interfere with God's anointed servant. Yet, satan works through those who scorn God.
Mat 14:5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Herod, feared the multitude more than he feared God. He looked at popular opinion before doing what was right. Oh, that is a plague to any nation, having leaders driven by their own passions, seeking only power and not that which pleases God.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Time is running out, it is never time to live in sin. Herod would eventually consent in the death of Jesus too. John gave his life warning people to repent from sin. Jesus gave his life to provide a way for you to be forgiven. He has risen from the grave, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Who will you serve? Will you serve sin and death? Or, will you glorify God in your life? Now, from this time on, make Jesus Lord of your life.
Lust, sin and death
Mat 14:6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Mat 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
Herod, with his eyes full of lust offered the dancing daughter in law anything she wanted. He had desires also, no doubt. Men and women, listen to this: Do not be controlled by your lusts, satan is waiting for you to loose control, he will bring the temptations your way. If we allow them to take us over, then he comes with guilt and accusations and even more temptations, soon, satan has you bound, addicted to a sin.There are a host of innocent ones unwillingly given as sacrifices, to pay for these ungodly lusts.
Herod, in his lust was willing to give up all. Sin would lead to death, death of another first, John the Baptist and eventually death and damnation for Herod.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Mat 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Mat 14:9 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.
Mat 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
Mat 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Now this is sickening, but this could represent our own heads offered on a plate to our desires. Those who desire forbidden things, those who sell people, drugs and pornography for money, have their heads missing. Their head is offered to satan, with their mind and self control with it.
Mat 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
John the Baptist had served the Lord well, his head was not offered to satan. His head contained the will of God. He trusted in Jesus, perhaps not yet knowing the plan of salvation through the shed blood and resurrection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. He being the last of the Old Testament prophets, he was saved through faith in the promises of God. He believed in the Messiah and introduced him to others. We too have the ministry to introduce Jesus to a lost people. Jesus saves us from sin and death and through faith in Jesus we live forever in God's family.
Mat 14:13 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.
Jesus, having heard of the death of his most honorable friend, wanted to be alone in prayer with his Father. When bad news comes, it is good to find a quiet place to commune with the Father. I love the walks alone in the woods or by the seashore. To me, it is a closer place to pray and commune with God.
Jesus was so popular that he always had a crowd around him. There were always needs of the people and he always gave himself to them. Listen now; just because someone is serving God and God is using them, this doesn't mean that we should be asking them unimportant things because we have nothing else to do. Jesus needed rest. He wasn't there to chit chat, he needed to pray and meditate on God's things. If someone has a true need, a servant of God should try to meet the need. But, be sensitive in return, do not take their time away, it is valuable. Use your time wisely in prayer, studying God's word and witnessing. We each must walk in our gifts.
Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The Lord bless you in your service.
Jesus is moved with compassion
Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Remember, that Jesus had gone into the wilderness to pray, after hearing of the murder of John the Baptist. Few times could he escape the crowds who would find him. He healed all who came to him. So many never seem to be servants, but they are always in need. Jesus was a servant, learn from him. Although he had great emotional needs, he put aside his feelings to heal those who came to him. I believe in our time, many children suffer because of ungodly parents. If you have suffered, give it to Jesus and when you are healed help others. If you are an ungodly parent, God forbid, you must repent and obey God. All need Jesus.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
He was moved with compassion. Jesus is a Lord of compassion. Many times in the gospel of Matthew it is recorded that Jesus was moved with compassion.
Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Mat 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude,...
Mat 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Psa 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psa 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Should not we also be as Jesus, moved with compassion?
John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus didn't accuse the sinner, he saw her shame and had compassion on her. Where were her accusers? Too many that name the name of Christ, are accusers. Jesus came to heal the whole person. Are we as Jesus, healers? Or, are we as satan, killers with our words? We follow Jesus, when we have compassion and help another,then, we are in turn helped. When we accuse another, God will accuse us.
Five Thousand Fed
Mat 14:15 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.
Time is past, it was past supper time and it was in the evening. I can imagine a great multitude standing, there may have been some light, but more likely fires were needed to see by. I remember gathering in a group for a campfire meeting, singing songs and expecting to hear from the Lord. It could have just been a still moonlit evening in spring or summer, with grass on the ground. The disciples had little food and thought the crowd should leave. Jesus had a better idea. Jesus always has a better idea than our natural minds.
Mat 14:16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
Mat 14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
Mat 14:18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
Give them something to eat. They had only five loaves and two fishes, but they brought what they had to the Lord. We give what we have to the Lord. We haven't much to offer, but if we yield all we have and all we are to Jesus, he will bless us and give us an increase. The best things come from God, the things of the world are never enough to satisfy.
Mat 14:19 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 brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
He had the multitude of people to sit down. Perhaps for more order in serving and to keep people from competing for the best positions. Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed the food. The feeding would come down from God, through Jesus and then from his apostles and to each person. This is as the word of God comes down. God speaks to Jesus, Jesus speaks to his disciples and they were to feed the word to the people. This is how the kingdom of God is built.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Mat 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
Mat 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Perhaps Ten or fifteen thousand people, including women and children were fed from the five loaves and two fishes that were blessed by Jesus. Little is much when God is in it. They gathered up the scraps; we are not to waste the resources that God provides. There were twelve baskets full left over. Each disciple received a basket full to share or to keep.
Is your breadbasket full? Are you full of God's word and his blessings? Then pass on your abundance. Find someone in need and give to him or her from your blessings. Share with them Jesus and they will be blessed with eternal blessings in God's family. Our Lord is good.
Storms of Life
Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
He sent his disciples ahead in a boat, for at least two reasons. One reason is he wanted to be alone with God, his father in the fellowship of prayer.
Mat 14:23 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.
Before hand it was near dark, now it is evening and dark and he was alone with his father. In the wilderness, perhaps with crickets chirping and an occasional sound of a wild animal. Jesus is quiet, but not alone he is talking to God. We need not say eloquent prayers to our father he just wants us to talk to him. If there is something important, it is good to speak with passion.
James 5:16 ...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Our focus turns to the disciples who were at sea. It was not calm at sea, a wind had come up, the boat was tossed with waves splashing over it.
Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Another remarkable miracle of our Lord. Not only was he walking on water, but it was at the dark of night and in a storm. I see in this miracle that no matter how dark the night, no matter how intense the storms of life, even when things seem impossible to man. Look up, Jesus is Lord. He overcomes the winds and seas and the spiritual storms of life. Jesus is Lord of all!
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
It was Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It was their master, your master, be not afraid, Jesus is near.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus is with you, do not be troubled.
Walking on water
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Peter spoke in faith, if it truly is you Jesus, I want to be with you. Yes, there is safety in the presence of our Lord. Peter had followed in His steps on land as his disciple, he would obey Jesus on the sea. It is the Lord who gives us abilities to serve him. He came down out of the ship and DID walk on water, to go to Jesus. That is bold faith. He knew his master's voice and began to walk to him as the Lord commanded. May we have such faith in obeying the voice of the Lord.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
We are to walk by faith, not doubting. If the Lord asks us to step out in faith we should do so, looking only at him. Peter is an example of many of us. When he looked around and began to be concerned with the things of the world, the winds of adversity took away his attention and he began to sink. Immediately the Lord stretched out his hand, and caught him. Are you beginning to sink in life's trials? Reach up for the hand of Jesus.
When I was a boy, my middle brother was told to watch me, to make sure that nothing happened to me. My Mom had lost a small son, to illness, she did not want to lose her baby boy, me. Many times when I was in trouble, my brother "Cork" would reach out his hand and save me. One time I was running down a steep hill, he reach out and caught me before I fell below. In the sea as we were playing, a wave knocked me down and I was under water. I put out my hand, and Cork was there to pull me up. This is much like Jesus is to us, yet he is without sin. My brother thought I was a pain. Jesus thinks we are very valuable. He loves us.
Mat 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Jesus brought them both into the boat, and the winds stopped. Jesus is Lord of the elements. The disciples worshipped him, what more proof is needed? Of a truth thou art the Son of God. The words he spoke, the healings, the feeding of the multitude. Now he walks on water coming to their aid, and he calmed the wind. Jesus truly is the Son of God Almighty.
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Do you want to do greater works then you have ever done before. Do you want to receive more from God? By faith, you will. He has promised this to you, who are his disciples. He loves you and will use you for His glory.
Gennesaret
Mat 14:34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
Mat 14:35 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;
Mat 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
All who believed and could touch even the hem of his garment, were healed. We today, touch Jesus by faith, perhaps aided by his disciples through prayer. What if they had not acted on their faith? Suppose they would reason, that these things are impossible? Or perhaps, healing was for another age. Maybe it was from the devil? These are all excuses used today that keep people from reaching out in faith to Jesus.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Reach out in faith and touch Jesus. What no doctors? Doctors may be in the healing process. All good things come from God. The danger is when we do not trust Jesus. Not all ailments are cured by medicines. Jesus is Lord of all.
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