Matthew 14 – 16
Verse 14:14 is a good snapshot of Jesus’ life:
Though Jesus wanted solitude, when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, and He healed the sick and the lame.
Think about it, He didn’t do what He wanted but rather what needed to be done. We get into the selfish mindset often where we need “personal time” where we help ourselves. If you notice Jesus does eventually get that time, He just needs to help others first.
In today’s reading you get the stories where he feeds 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and two fish and 4000 with seven loaves and a “few” fish. Each time there is excess and everyone is amazed. In chapter 16 He uses these events into his teaching and in verse 16:12 the disciples get it:
And then the disciples understood: Jesus was not talking about the bread you eat, but about the food that feeds your soul. He was speaking in metaphor; He was warning them against imbibing the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
I love how Jesus works in lessons in all that happens in His life. In this case he was warning them about teachings that were corrupt. We need to be aware today of these teachings, specifically I think of the prosperity Gospel preachers. Where does it say we will get rich following God? No I see the disciples all being jailed and killed, not living in big houses and enjoying their pool. We will live life to the full, and full is not defined and Porsche’s and parties.
Now nestled between the two feeding stories is on where Peter walks on water. Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and with faith stepped out of the boat and walked towards Jesus. While he was walking he realized what he was doing and began to sink.
Verse 14:31 Jesus’ catches Peter and calms him:
Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him.
Jesus: O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following Me and heeding fear?
Honest question: How many have taken a step of faith and tried to walk on a pool or other body of water? I have more than once and often wonder is my faith really that weak? But if this were the case every person of true faith would be walking on water. This begs to question do we all have the same doubt that Peter had?
Think about it Peter was there first hand when Jesus was walking on water. Peter saw him change water to wine, raise the dead and heal the lame, yet he had doubt. How can any of us really have the faith that Peter had? That is a question that bugs me every day? He was there and did not have enough faith not to sink, yet we just read these 2000 year old stories and hope answered payers and “odd” life events are not just “common coincidences” but rather nudges by God. Our faith will be put to the test often, we need strength to keep pressing into it and don’t fear searching for the truth. As the X-Files use to say “the truth is out there.”