Can God provide for the faithful even under political oppression? While Herod Antipas ruled Galilee under Caesar Augustus, Jesus preached to thousands. Herod had executed John the Baptist. Was he also paranoid about Jesus? Let’s find out in Matthew 14.
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” (Matthew 14:1-2 NIV)
What had Herod done with John? Did John dare to criticize a powerful politician?
For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. (Matthew 14:3-5 NKJV)
What persuaded Herod to murder John?
But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. (Matthew 14:6-12 NLT)
God Provides
What can faithful Christians do with meager resources? Let’s learn about the abundant resources of heaven, by examining the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21. What did Jesus do after hearing of John’s death?
When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick. (Matthew 14:13-14 CEB)
Among the sins of the church is a lack of compassion. Blaming poverty on laziness alone is hardhearted ignorance. More often the poor are victims of corruption, crime, overpopulation, low wages, inefficient distribution, bad education, environmental degradation, political oppression, colonialism, disease and war. Jesus feeding 5000 radically contradicts selfish religion.
That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it's already late. Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food.” Jesus replied, “They don't have to leave. Why don't you give them something to eat?” (Matthew 14:15-16 CEV)
It’s easy just to send the crowds of people away. Jesus said, YOU give them something to eat. Can we hear the selfish lies that many Christians believe? The saying, God helps those who help themselves, is a lie, not found in the Bible?
They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” (Matthew 14:17-18 ESV)
God took a child’s packed lunch to feed a large crowd. God showed Elisha a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around. God provided a Kinsman Redeemer for Ruth. God helped David slay a giant with the smallest weapons. God gave Abigail wisdom to save the day. God provides.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17 NKJV).
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Psalm 55:22 NKJV).
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd” (Isaiah 40:11 NKJV).
“Fear not, I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13 NKJV).
“humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV).
Of the small offering, Jesus said, Bring it here.
Then He commanded the crowds to sit down 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. (Matthew 14:19 HCSB)
Jesus BLESSED the small offering. We give thanks at a meal, because God created all things. We acknowledge His Providence and we give thanks. Jesus was preparing an extraordinary Provision.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. (Matthew 14:20-21 KJV)
They were all FILLED. God provided. Communion reminds us of our daily bread and the Bread of eternal life, Jesus. Our offering is also small. God multiplies our efforts. He will supply. We cannot provide all that our world needs. He multiplies our small offerings.
Our physical resources are small and the task is overwhelming, but we are in the miracle business. Do we look to what we can bring, or to the Lord who multiplies our offerings? You decide!
God Provides Buoyancy
Who do we look to for help when our lives are tossed about and we seem to be sinking? Will God come to our rescue? Let’s learn from a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33.
Does Jesus sometimes send us forth ahead of Him? Does He have a special miracle planned for us? The crowd wanted to make Jesus an earthly king. When seduced by worldly promotion that is not in God’s plan, what should we do? Should we find a solitary place to pray, and seek the Lord’s will? Where did Jesus go after feeding the 5000?
Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Matthew 14:22-23 NASB)
Do we doubt our calling when tossed by waves? A storm is coming, winds of false doctrine, waves of temptation, and storms of mistreatment. Do we walk by faith and not by sight?
But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:24 NKJV)
Do we sometimes go through most of the night before Jesus comes with a miracle, or supernatural event? Does God often intervene just before we lose hope? Does He want to teach us faith?
About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. (Matthew 14:25 NLT)
When God appears, are people afraid? Yet, does God reveal Himself because people are highly favored? Can we too think that Jesus is an apparition or somebody else? God comes to bless.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. (Matthew 14:26 WEB)
While tossed about with trials of faith, Jesus comes, speaks, and calms the storms. The church worship space is often called the nave, meaning ship. Noah was brought to safety (1 Peter 3:20-21). Jesus carries His church through the storms to a safe eternity.
Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 CEB)
What did Peter do? Spontaneity is good. Perseverance is better.
Peter replied, “Lord, if it really is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him. (Matthew 14:28-29 CEV)
After his impetuosity, did Peter begin to doubt? Was he afraid? Is there a conflict between sight and faith (Hebrews 11:1)? Can we have more zeal than faith?
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30 ESV)
Why do we doubt? Do we too step out in faith, but not continue in faith? Do we also declare, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!” (Matthew 14:31-33 HCSB)
Did Peter’s doubting contrast with faith found on the other side of the lake? Did God condemn as superstitious their touching of Jesus’ clothes or honor their faith?
And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. (Matthew 14:34-35 KJV)
Are we ever tossed by waves of temptation and doubt? Do we cry out to God? Do we trust Jesus to come and calm the storm? You decide!
