The Gospel According to Matthew
Introduction: So last week we read about the beheading of John the Baptist. Not a real cheery subject. In fact it is quite a filthy story. In stark contrast this week we get to look at two stories that we have all known since our young childhood. I'm sure we have all heard numerous sermons on these stories too.
I pray that as we open up our bibles and study these two stories that we do it with fresh eyes and an open heart to what God has in store for us today. It is my prayer that these stories are fresh and new.
Question to start: What was your favorite bible story as a child and why?
READ: Matthew 14: 13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Ok so there it is the story we all know so well.
Let me break it down in what we know. Bullet points. Outline the story as I have known it.
1. Jesus is met by a large group of people.
2. He is teaching them.
3. The disciples tell him to send them away because they need food.
4. Jesus says feed them.
5. The only have 5 loaves 2 fishes.
6. Jesus blesses it.
7. They have more than they need. All are fed.
8. Jesus leaves.
Does that about cover it?
I had never noticed before that this story is very connected to last weeks lesson.
Notice in verse 13: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.
What had Jesus just heard?
After hearing the news he did what?
Jesus is in mourning. Jesus is needing to go and spend sometime alone. He is hurting. He has just learned that John the Baptist whom he loved, had just been beheaded and the whole horrible story. Can you imagine the Son of God who had come to take on and to die for our sins hearing this story, what sorrow and sadness it must have brought. How it must have sickened him. So he tries to get away and the crowds follow him.
Just a couple weeks ago Chris and I took a Sabbath at home. A quiet alone Sabbath. Just the two of us and Jesus. We both felt desperate for some quiet.
Have you ever needed quiet and rest?
Physical rest?
Mental rest?
Have you ever had to mourn?
Have you ever been faced with the wretchedness of this world, in a very personal way?
Here we see Jesus felt the need to getaway. He was personally affected by the evil in this world. His response was to try to get away and rest.
So how well did that work out for him?
What was his response when he saw the people?
How do we respond when we see people in need? How do we respond when we see people in need when our hearts are consumed with our own hurt?
When my children were very young and finding private time to shower or even go to the bathroom was scarce. Chris was working very long hours and was often gone before the children were awake and then wasn't home until after they were already asleep. I felt like the neediness of the children was crushing me. There were days I wondered how I was ever going to keep going? The weight and the significance of what I was doing coupled with the sheer physical exhaustion was overwhelming. I desperately needed to get away alone and take deep breaths. I'm telling you at that moment in my life thinking of anyone else other than myself, and my needs was very difficult. It was easy to get consumed with what I needed.
That was nothing compared to what Jesus must have been experiencing.
Try imagining yourself in the most difficult moment of your life, where you were physically and emotionally spent, now imagine 5000 people chasing after you because they need you. I am certain my reaction would not have been as kind and compassionate.
Where did that strength come from?
In desire of ages Ellen writes beautifully about this moment. She writes, "From the hillside He looked upon the moving multitude, and His heart was stirred with sympathy. Interrupted as He was, and robbed of His rest, He was not impatient. He saw a greater necessity demanding His attention as He watched the people coming and still coming. He "was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd." Leaving His retreat, He found a convenient place where He could minister to them.
So Jesus goes with a compassionate heart and speaks all day to 5 thousand people.
Why not send them away?
The first time?
The second time?
What are the logical reasons for turning them away? What are the reasons we would give?
When we are deciding between opening up our home and inviting people over or a quiet Sabbath alone?
Both are good, what are our reasons for deciding on the quiet?
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be on that hillside listening to Jesus.
"They received no help from the priests and rulers; but the healing waters of life flowed from Christ as He taught the multitude the way of salvation. The people listened to the words of mercy flowing so freely from the lips of the Son of God. They heard the gracious words, so simple and so plain that they were as the balm of Gilead to their souls. The healing of His divine hand brought gladness and life to the dying, and ease and health to those suffering with disease. The day seemed to them like heaven upon earth, and they were utterly unconscious of how long it had been since they had eaten anything." Desire of Ages
Have you ever had a moment with Jesus where you felt like you were in heaven?
Have you ever had a moment when you knew the Holy Spirit was with you, as the comforter?
Jesus still wants you to seek after him, to follow him, to listen to him, to be so consumed with him that you forget to eat.
Jesus wants the opportunity to be your everything!
The people who he ministered to that day were on a journey. They were on a journey to the Passover, and along the way Jesus met their every need.
Do we sometimes get caught up in our destination and fail to stop along the way and sit at Jesus's feet?
Would you have been the person who was too concerned with getting ahead of the traffic, making good time, allowing for every contingency on the long journey to Jerusalem or would you have stopped?
Is being ministered to by Jesus more important to you than your schedule?
Is spending time with Jesus more important to you than getting your to do list checked off?
Would your children say that spending time with Jesus is most important to you?
READ:
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
So this is another very familiar story for all of us. I remember being amazed at the idea of walking on water. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and not being afraid are also great themes of this story.
I love verses 29-31, "Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”
I love the word immediately! What a great word. I know it doesn't always work that way, after all we just heard the story of John, and Jesus did nothing to "SAVE" him.
However, here when Peter cries out Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him.
Did Peter need the hand of Jesus?
If Peter had kept his eyes on Jesus and had the faith that he was fine because he was with Jesus would he have needed the outstretched hand?
Have you ever stepped out in faith, believed you were supposed to do something and then, when things weren't smooth you start doubting, wondering if you should have stepped out, or even questioned where God is?
Ellen White writes in Desire of Ages, "When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. "Fear not," He says; "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isa. 43:1-3."
Is there something that God has called you to do and you stepped out in faith, but are now doubting?
Or are you still waiting to step out into the waters?
What are the waters that are keeping you from walking with the Savior as you do his bidding?
Can you imagine anything more exciting that walking on the water in the middle of a wind swept lake in the middle of the night with Jesus? I am a thrill junky. I love roller coasters, repelling, and hope to sky dive one day. But this, wow.
In life am I willing to be a thrill junky and jump into what he has called me to do.
What would you do?
What lake would you jump into if you had the faith to believe that you could really walk on the water with Jesus?
There are 4 things at play here. Four key ingredients to taking that exciting plunge.
1. Peter asking to join Jesus.
2. Jesus inviting him to "Come"
3. Peter willing to step into the waves.
4. Peter keeping his eyes on Jesus and understanding he can't do it without Jesus.
I am sure there are things, both big and small that each of us have been sitting on. Things that we want to ask if we can do. Things that we know we should do.
Let's do it!
1. Ask Jesus
2. Here His answer
3. Take the step
4. Keep you eyes on Jesus.
Who am I? I am a person who can walk on the water! NO! I'm a person who can walk wherever I have been called by Jesus, as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus!
Because of who He is... I can step into the crashing waves and not be prideful or afraid, but safe in the eyes of Jesus!
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