In Today's Email:
Matthew 14 Notes
In this chapter Christ feeds 5,000 and walks on water.
vs. 1-12 – This parallels Mark 6:14-16, 21-29 and Luke 9:7-9. Herodias schemes to have John the Baptist killed. At a banquet in front of many witnesses, Herod Antipas swears to give anything to his stepdaughter Salome (“peaceful”) danced for him. She is perhaps 13 years old. Such a thing was scandalous for the daughter of nobility to do. Dancing as entertainment was popular but usually was performed by slaves. Herodias closes the trap by instructing Salome to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod Antipas has been outmaneuvered and reluctantly sends the command. John is beheaded. His head is presented to Herodias, and his body is lovingly buried the rest of his body. This takes place in the hilltop fortress at Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea
vs. 13-21 – This parallels Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14. Do not disconnect this event from what just transpired. People are frightened because John had been executed. They flock to Him for comfort at a place near Bethsaida on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. There is not enough food to feed the thousands that have gathered. Christ blesses a small lunch of five small loaves and two small fishes. The disciples pass this out to the crowd, and it is multiplied to more than enough. Since women and children were not counted in the 5,000, it could be safely assumed that the actual number was 20,000 or more. I believe this could be the high-water mark for Christ’s popularity. From this point Christ faces increasing rejection and opposition in the final year of His earthly ministry.
vs. 22-33 – This parallels Mark 6:45-52. Christ departs from the crowd, I think because had He stayed it would have sparked a popular rebellion. But it was not His time and that was not His purpose. He tells the disciples to sail west toward Capernaum without Him. They must have assumed that He would meet them later by either walking the four miles or by taking another boat. A violent storm rises during the fourth watch of the night, which is between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. Christ is seen walking on the waves. The disciples assume He is ghost until He identifies Himself. Peter asks and is given permission to walk out to Christ. He makes it near to Christ before taking his eyes from Christ and focusing on the storm. He immediately sinks and Christ catches him. The wonder of the whole experience convinces the others in the boat that He was truly the Messiah.
vs. 34-36 – This parallels Mark 6:53-56. Christ ministers around Capernaum. He heals many that are brought to Him. Some even follow the woman’s action of touching His robe in Matthew 9:20-21.
Matthew 15 Notes
In this chapter Christ battles the Pharisees and feeds 4,000.
vs. 1-20 – This parallels Mark 7:1-23. The washing of hands referred to here is not a matter of cleanliness, but a ceremonial tradition. The accusation is not that Christ or the disciples had broken a Scriptural commandment because they had not. They were guilty of not following the extra-biblical traditions that the Pharisees based so much of their beliefs on. Christ responds that the Pharisees may be keeping their traditions, but they are not following the commands of God. The Pharisees made a loophole about the command to care for one’s parents. A person could claim that their wealth had been set aside as a “gift” for God and thus could not be used to care for their family. Christ reveals they are guilty of the description in Isaiah 29:13 of worshipping God outwardly but having a wicked heart inwardly. Christ’s message to the multitudes witnessing this exchange is that the sinful nature of fallen man is what defiles a person, and not the things around us. This concept astounds the disciples, and Christ has to further explain it in private.
vs. 21-28 – This parallels Mark 7:24-30. Christ departs to the far northern borders of Israel near the ancient Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon The woman requesting His aid is a Gentile and thus would be looked down on by the Jews. Christ tests her faith in part to show those around her what true faith was. He departs as this event would bring out the crowds seeking Him.
vs. 29-31 – This parallels Mark 7:31-8:9. Christ seeks solitude by returning to the hills on the northeastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Multitudes seek Him out and He heals many.
vs. 32-39 – This parallels Mark 8:1-10. After three days of ministry Christ has compassion on the multitudes following Him. The situation is very similar to when 5,000 were fed in Matthew 14:13-21, except this time seven loaves and a few fishes are used and seven baskets full of leftovers. You would think the disciples would have remembered when Christ miraculously fed the larger crowd just a few months prior to this.
Closing Thoughts
It is odd that the feeding of the 5,000 is so well remembered and the feeding of the 4,000 is often forgotten. Then again, the disciples themselves forgot about it! The two events were maybe a few months apart, yet they did not expect Christ to multiply a small meal again. Sadly, it is part of human nature to forget the goodness and power of God.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Break Thou the Bread of Life,” written in 1877 by Mary A. Lathbury.
Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.