Scripture:
Matthew 14:13-21 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Feeding 5,000
13 When Jesus heard about it, (A) He withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 As He stepped ashore, [a] He saw a huge crowd, felt compassion for them, and healed their sick. (B)
15 When evening came, the disciples (C) approached Him and said, "This place is a wilderness, and it is already late. [b] Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
16 "They don't need to go away," Jesus told them. "You give them something to eat."
17 "But we only have five loaves and two fish here," they said to Him.
18 "Bring them here to Me," He said. 19 Then He commanded the crowds to sit down [c] on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds. (D) 20 Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces! (E) 21 Now those who ate were about 5,000 men, besides women and children.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:14 Lit Coming out (of the boat)
Matthew 14:15 Lit and the time (for the evening meal) has already passed
Matthew 14:19 Lit to recline
Cross references:
Matthew 14:13 : Mk 6:32-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13;
Matthew 14:14 : Mt 4:23; 9:36;
Matthew 14:15 : Mt 10:1;, 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16;
Matthew 14:19 : 1Sm 9:13; Mt 26:26; Mk 8:7; 14:22; Lk 24:30; Ac 27:35;
Matthew 14:20 : Mt 16:9; Mk 6:43; 8:19; Lk 9:17; Jn 6:13;
Reflection:
How do you treat those who make unexpected demands on you? When Jesus and the disciples sought a lonely place to regroup and rest, they found instead a crowd of more than five thousand people waiting for them! Did they resent this intrusion on their hard-earned need for privacy and refreshment? Jesus certainly didn't but welcomed them with open-arms. Jesus put human need ahead of everything else. His compassion showed the depths of God's love and concern for all who are truly needy. Jesus gave the people the word of God and he healed them physically as well as spiritually. We can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. Do you thirst for his saving word and for his healing power?
Why did Jesus command his disciples to do what seemed impossible-- to feed such a large and hungry crowd when there were no adequate provisions in sight? Jesus, no doubt wanted to teach them to rely upon God for their provision. The signs which Jesus did, including the miraculous feeding of the five thousand signified that God the Father had indeed sent his only begotten Son as the anointed Prophet and King for his people. Jesus' feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. What is the significance of this miracle? The miraculous feeding of such a great multitude pointed to God's provision of manna in the wilderness for the people of Israel under Moses' leadership. This food foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers. Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of God and his great kindness towards us. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may have something to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the good of others. Do you trust in God's provision for you and do you share freely with others, especially those who lack?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and you feed us with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). Fill me with gratitude for your blessings and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others what you have given to me.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Daily Word - The First Martyr - Matthew 14:1-12
Scripture:
Matthew 14:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
John the Baptist Beheaded
Matthew 14
1 At that time (A) Herod the tetrarch (B) heard the report about Jesus. 2 "This is John the Baptist!" he told his servants. "He has been raised from the dead, and that's why supernatural powers are at work in him." (C)
3 For Herod had arrested John, chained [a] him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, (D) 4 since John had been telling him, "It's not lawful (E) for you to have her!" 5 Though he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, since they regarded him as a prophet. (F)
6 But when Herod's birthday celebration came, Herodias' daughter danced before them [b] and pleased Herod. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 And prompted by her mother, she answered, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter!" 9 Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. 10 So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, [c] buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:3 Or bound
Matthew 14:6 Lit danced in the middle
Matthew 14:12 Other mss read body
Cross references:
Matthew 14:1 : Mk 6:14-29; Lk 9:7-9;
Matthew 14:1 : Mk 8:15; Lk 3:19; 13:31; 23:7; Ac 4:27; 12:1; 13:1;
Matthew 14:2 : Mt 16:14; Mk 6:14; Lk 9:7;
Matthew 14:3 : Mt 4:12; 11:2; Jn 3:24;
Matthew 14:4 : Lv 18:16; 20:21;
Matthew 14:5 : Mt 11:9; 21:26;, 46;
Reflection:
What fueled the courage and zeal of the martyrs? They loved God and his truth more than their own lives. Standing for the truth, especially for the gospel can be very costly. Take the prophets. They all suffered abuse and most were martyred. Herod, a somewhat reluctant persecutor, was nonetheless a man with a guilty conscience. When Herod heard the fame of Jesus he supposed that John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had returned from the dead. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod was a weak man. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. Are you ready to stand for Jesus and for his truth and righteousness?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, give me a strong conscience that I may recognize evil for what it is and repent for all the ways in which I may offend you. Help me to choose what is good and to reject what is contrary to your will. And help me to strive for holiness that I may please you in all things (Hebrews 12:14).
Matthew 14:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
John the Baptist Beheaded
Matthew 14
1 At that time (A) Herod the tetrarch (B) heard the report about Jesus. 2 "This is John the Baptist!" he told his servants. "He has been raised from the dead, and that's why supernatural powers are at work in him." (C)
3 For Herod had arrested John, chained [a] him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, (D) 4 since John had been telling him, "It's not lawful (E) for you to have her!" 5 Though he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, since they regarded him as a prophet. (F)
6 But when Herod's birthday celebration came, Herodias' daughter danced before them [b] and pleased Herod. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 And prompted by her mother, she answered, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter!" 9 Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. 10 So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, [c] buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:3 Or bound
Matthew 14:6 Lit danced in the middle
Matthew 14:12 Other mss read body
Cross references:
Matthew 14:1 : Mk 6:14-29; Lk 9:7-9;
Matthew 14:1 : Mk 8:15; Lk 3:19; 13:31; 23:7; Ac 4:27; 12:1; 13:1;
Matthew 14:2 : Mt 16:14; Mk 6:14; Lk 9:7;
Matthew 14:3 : Mt 4:12; 11:2; Jn 3:24;
Matthew 14:4 : Lv 18:16; 20:21;
Matthew 14:5 : Mt 11:9; 21:26;, 46;
Reflection:
What fueled the courage and zeal of the martyrs? They loved God and his truth more than their own lives. Standing for the truth, especially for the gospel can be very costly. Take the prophets. They all suffered abuse and most were martyred. Herod, a somewhat reluctant persecutor, was nonetheless a man with a guilty conscience. When Herod heard the fame of Jesus he supposed that John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had returned from the dead. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod was a weak man. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. Are you ready to stand for Jesus and for his truth and righteousness?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, give me a strong conscience that I may recognize evil for what it is and repent for all the ways in which I may offend you. Help me to choose what is good and to reject what is contrary to your will. And help me to strive for holiness that I may please you in all things (Hebrews 12:14).
Monday, March 1, 2010
Daily Word - The Local Boy Thinks He's Something - Matthew 13:54-58
Scripture:
Matthew 13:54-58 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Rejection on the home front
54 He went to His hometown (A) and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him? (B) 55 Isn't this the carpenter's son? (C) Isn't His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, (D) Joseph, [a] Simon, and Judas? (E) 56 And His sisters, aren't they all with us? So where does He get all these things?" 57 And they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household." (F) 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Footnotes: Matthew 13:55 Other mss read Joses; [Mk 6:3] Cross references: Matthew 13:54 : Mk 6:1-6; Lk 4:16-30; Matthew 13:54 : Mt 2:23; 4:23; 7:28; Matthew 13:55 : Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3; Lk 3:23; Jn 6:42; Matthew 13:55 : Jms 1:1; Jude 1; Matthew 13:55 : Mt 12:46; Jn 7:5; Matthew 13:57 : Jr 11:21; 12:6; Lk 4:24; Jn 4:44;
Reflection:
Are you critical towards your family and neighbors? Unfortunately, often I can be very critical of those closest to me. No critics are more severe than kin and neighbors who have known you since childhood. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It was customary for Jesus to go weekly to the synagogue to worship and on occasion to read the scriptures and comment on them to the people. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown? Jesus startled them with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at him and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a workingman, a carpenter, a mere layman and they despised him because of his family. Familiarity can breed mistaken contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed and disbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. Do you easily take offense at others? The word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free from the worst tyranny possible -- the tyranny of slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion and error, and from the fear of death and hopelessness. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings us grace, truth, life, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame my heart with love and zeal for you and for your will.
Matthew 13:54-58 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Rejection on the home front
54 He went to His hometown (A) and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him? (B) 55 Isn't this the carpenter's son? (C) Isn't His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, (D) Joseph, [a] Simon, and Judas? (E) 56 And His sisters, aren't they all with us? So where does He get all these things?" 57 And they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household." (F) 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Footnotes: Matthew 13:55 Other mss read Joses; [Mk 6:3] Cross references: Matthew 13:54 : Mk 6:1-6; Lk 4:16-30; Matthew 13:54 : Mt 2:23; 4:23; 7:28; Matthew 13:55 : Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3; Lk 3:23; Jn 6:42; Matthew 13:55 : Jms 1:1; Jude 1; Matthew 13:55 : Mt 12:46; Jn 7:5; Matthew 13:57 : Jr 11:21; 12:6; Lk 4:24; Jn 4:44;
Reflection:
Are you critical towards your family and neighbors? Unfortunately, often I can be very critical of those closest to me. No critics are more severe than kin and neighbors who have known you since childhood. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It was customary for Jesus to go weekly to the synagogue to worship and on occasion to read the scriptures and comment on them to the people. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown? Jesus startled them with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at him and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a workingman, a carpenter, a mere layman and they despised him because of his family. Familiarity can breed mistaken contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed and disbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. Do you easily take offense at others? The word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free from the worst tyranny possible -- the tyranny of slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion and error, and from the fear of death and hopelessness. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings us grace, truth, life, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame my heart with love and zeal for you and for your will.
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