Matthew 14:1-21
Today’s Passage: Matthew 14:1-21
Today we have two really important stories in the gospels. We read about the death of John the Baptist and about the Feeding of the 5,000. Two stories that at first glance seem disconnected but in reality are connected and teach us important things as followers of Jesus.
John stood up for what is right. He told Herod that he should not be with his brother’s wife. And ultimately because he stood for what is right (probably more than once), ruffling feathers along the way, he lost his life - 1 year into his ministry. Jesus hears about it and is grieving. He went to a desolate place. There people met Him and He provided for them, He served them, even in the midst of grief providing the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.
There is so much here. There are multiple messages to write from this. Some overarching things to grab on to today.
1) STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT NO MATTER THE COST.
John stood for what was right. Just like us he lived in a culture that lived against God, yet he stood for what is right. It cost him his life… ONE YEAR INTO HIS MINISTRY. He must have felt that this was a waste. He was the guy to prepare the way for the Lord. He was prophesied about. He must have wondered how this was God’s plan.
Which brings us to our second point for today….
2) A LITTLE IS A LOT IN THE HANDS OF GOD.
Jesus takes a little and turns it into a lot. He has done it all throughout the narrative of the Bible. He does it with loaves and fishes. He does it with our lives. All these years later we are still learning from the life of John the Baptist even though He probably thought He had much more and much longer to give. A little is a lot in the hands of God.
Some other thoughts:
Today we have two really important stories in the gospels. We read about the death of John the Baptist and about the Feeding of the 5,000. Two stories that at first glance seem disconnected but in reality are connected and teach us important things as followers of Jesus.
John stood up for what is right. He told Herod that he should not be with his brother’s wife. And ultimately because he stood for what is right (probably more than once), ruffling feathers along the way, he lost his life - 1 year into his ministry. Jesus hears about it and is grieving. He went to a desolate place. There people met Him and He provided for them, He served them, even in the midst of grief providing the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.
There is so much here. There are multiple messages to write from this. Some overarching things to grab on to today.
1) STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT NO MATTER THE COST.
John stood for what was right. Just like us he lived in a culture that lived against God, yet he stood for what is right. It cost him his life… ONE YEAR INTO HIS MINISTRY. He must have felt that this was a waste. He was the guy to prepare the way for the Lord. He was prophesied about. He must have wondered how this was God’s plan.
Which brings us to our second point for today….
2) A LITTLE IS A LOT IN THE HANDS OF GOD.
Jesus takes a little and turns it into a lot. He has done it all throughout the narrative of the Bible. He does it with loaves and fishes. He does it with our lives. All these years later we are still learning from the life of John the Baptist even though He probably thought He had much more and much longer to give. A little is a lot in the hands of God.
Some other thoughts:
- Jesus served even when He was hurting. We are called to serve regardless as well.
- Jesus invited them into the miracle. What if they said no? Don’t miss out on the invite of Jesus to be in the work/mission with Him.
- Jesus is ultimately satisfying because He is the ultimate provider (v.20).
Written by: Nick Parsons
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