- In Chapter 14, we are told about the death of John the Baptizer at the hands of Herod Antipas, one of the sons of Herod the Great. Note: John is already dead in verses 1 & 2, and verses 3-12 describe how and why he was murdered. Why was John put in prison in the first place? And why was he murdered? How does this illustrate "the adversary" and "the mutiny" against God?
- Matthew 14:13 - Why did Jesus go to a deserted place after He hears of John's murder? What does this tell us about Jesus and John's relationship? What does this tell us about Jesus experiencing life as a human?
- Jesus walks on the water. Say what?! If you've ever tried this in a swimming pool or lake or bathtub, you understand how difficult (impossible) this is. What does the Holy Spirit desire for us to understand about Messiah by telling us this?
- Jesus then gives Peter the go ahead to "come" and walk on the water as well. Remember, they are experiencing strong winds and the sea is turbulent. Why did Peter want to walk on the water? Why didn't the other 11 disciples get out of the boat?
- In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus begins to tell the disciples about His suffering, death and resurrection. According to Peter's response, the disciples are not prepared. Jesus rebukes Peter sharply (and probably the rest of them as well) as he throws up resisting remarks to Jesus. Interesting to see that just a few verses earlier, Peter gives the ultimate statement professing Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the Living God". Is it possible for a disciple to see things clearly in one moment and then be influenced by the adversary in the next moment? How can we keep from falling back into "the mutiny"?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Matthew 14-16
Today we approach the half-way point of Matthew's Gospel. This week's reading will be very climatic as Jesus begins to prepare to go to Jerusalem and suffer for the sins of the world.
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6 comments:
I can only imagine how Jesus must have felt when he heard about John the Baptist from the disciples. I believe they were as close as brothers, and spent most of their childhood together, and even though they were cousins, more than that, they were best friends. I'm sure Jesus' heart ached when he found he'd been killed. But it is so like Jesus that even though he went to mourn by himself, the crowds found him and followed him, and rather than sending them away he ministered to them. Even though he had the power to raise the dead it was not the Fathers will that he raise John, but healing the sick that sought him was the Father's will. I love the way the text says "he had compassion on them". He put the needs of others before his own needs. We would do well to remember that in our daily walk and emulate his behavior. We can also see from this story that the Enemy is always looking to devour. He used a daughter's love for her mother to trick Herod into killing John, all because he spoke the truth to him. I also see the love of the disciples for Jesus; they took John and buried him before Jesus could ask to see him, knowing how much more grieved he would be if he did see his body in it's condition. Jesus continued carrying out God's will and performed other great miracles; what a test to endure! And what a testimony...
Re: seeing things clearly one moment and being confused the next
This is why it is so important to be in relationship with God. The more we seek Him through Bible study and prayer, the greater our faith and the greater our desire to be closer to Him. As our relationship grows with Him, He will reveal more to us. Our discernment will develop and help us determine what is of God and to be honored and what is of the enemy and to be rebuked. As our faith deepens, the confusion lessens. So, to answer your question about how can we keep from falling back into the mutiny is to continually seek a closer relationship with God.
To Sweetteaqueen:
Thanks for your insights about Jesus and John the Baptizer. Your comments were beautiful.
To Jojo:
Staying close to Jesus is the key to having right discernment. Jesus answers my question in Matthew 16:24-27.
sweetteaqueen, what you wrote about John the Baptist and Jesus was very moving. I too thought the way Jesus handled the situation to be the epitome of Grace. Only the true Love of the Father could have helped Jesus to see the needs of others before His own. Jesus was secure in the knowledge that the Father would comfort Him, but at the moment the Father's will was the care of others. I have found this to be true many times in my life, that I want to be sheltered and taken care of because I am in pain, but God has a different plan. And if I follow His leading and begin to minister to others, I find that I am beginning to heal as well. Taking my eyes off my own pain helps me to put it and God in the right perspective. To see my pain thru Christ, rather than Christ thru my pain.
We see even more of the love of Jesus when He deals with Peter. He knew Peter was going to fall, even when we called him out unto the water. And when Peter began to fall, and cried for help, Jesus was already reaching out a hand to help him. He did not rebuke him till after He had restored him back to a solid place.
How many times I have been guilty of judging another believer for the waves that they have fallen under. Instead of reaching out a hand to help them, and then in love helping them see why they fell, I judge them. Believe that they must make their lives right again before they can be offered a hand up. It is not until I have found myself in the place where I cannot get up, and experienced the condemnation of others, that I have seen just how cruel this is, and how it is dead set against the heart of the Father.
I think it is pretty great to think that Jesus loves us so much that he wants us so much to trust him. The most powerful lessons the disciples learned were those they actually experienced. Don't we learn that way? We have to go around the mountain a few times until we get it. Even though God has instructed us to trust over and over again, sometimes it takes a storm to make us understand.
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