Matthew 14

1-12 Here we see that Herod the tetrarch or governor heard of the fame of Jesus and thought it was John the Baptist resurrected. Not sure what they did with his heard after he killed him, but Herod did not want to kill John the Baptist because the people believed he was a prophet and he was. But here we see how sin can so blind the mind that we fall right into it, so we can continue in our sin. Herod had married his brother’s wife and John told him it is not right to do so. Herod feared John, and he knew that he was  a just man and also received him and was willing to listen to him. But Herodias wanted John the Baptist dead because of this Mark 6:17-20. She was very smart in waiting for an opportunity to have the prophet killed and that was on Herod’s birthday. Herodias knew and understood the weak points of Herod’s character and to catch him off guard with drunkenness and luxurious food which would deadened the moral senses. She used her daughter as a way to have Herod give her whatever she wants and the plan worked. 

 

It was not customary for the ladies of the court to appear at these festivities, and a flattering compliment was paid to Herod when this daughter of Israel's priests and princes danced for the amusement of his guests. DA 221.2

 

 

Dressed with little covering and provocatively, she danced in front of Herod and is guest and Herod promised with an oat to give her whatsoever she ask. Salome, which was the daughter’s name went in before her mother Herodias and asked her what should I say and she was ready to tell her the head of John the Baptist on a charger or platter. Herod was shocked and sorry for making such a request, but he had to keep is oath and it was done Te 49.3-52 The Lord has given us warnings regarding drinking alcohol and wine Deuteronomy 29:19-20; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; Amos 6:1, 3-8; Ecclesiastes 10:17

 

After the death of John the baptist, he disciples came and took his body and buried it. They also told Jesus. Herod was struggling in heart. He felt horrible because he knew what John the baptist said was true and from God. He was so disturbed that he heard the works of Christ and thought that God raised John the baptist from the dead and sent him to still work as he did before, condemning sin. DA223.3 Herod was reaping that which he had sown. He had let sin take a hold on him and the results was disastrous. Herod now heard more and more distinctly the words of the prophet to his conscience and he was exceedingly troubled. His thoughts were his accusers and there can be no torture keener than the stings of a guilty conscience which give him no rest day nor night, he was experiencing Deut 28:65-67. This also sounds like what will occur under the third angel’s message for those who will receive the mark of the beast and have no rest day nor night Revelation 14:11.

 

13-21 When Jesus heard the death of His cousin, He departed into a ship and went to a desert place, but the people followed Him out of the cities because they saw the miracles He did on them that were diseased John 6:2. It sounds like Jesus wanted some quiet time but the people still came and flock to Him. Jesus saw a great multitude and even during this time of loss, He was moved with compassion toward those who followed Him and He healed their sick and preached the kingdom of God. The people were there all day and standing for hours because they been listening to the words of Christ and have not had a chance to eat. The food they were receiving was spiritual and a blessing.

 

The evening was coming and His disciples said to Him to send the multitude away so they can get something to eat since they were in a desert place. But Jesus said to them give them something to eat and Andrew said we have a lad here that has five loaves and two fishes. Jesus can use our small faith to make big things happen. He had been sharing the gospel of the kingdom to them and the people have been there all day listening and being healed. One of the things that Jesus did often was teaching and healing. The bible says when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion and begin to teach them many things. Teaching is a big part learning and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you. Wherever we are, we always have an opportunity to teach about the kingdom of heaven.

 

Jesus also have not eaten or rest the entire day and He could not withdraw Himself from the multitude that pressed upon Him. So He asked the people to sit down on the grass so everyone can be comfortable since people were standing all day listening to His words and there were mother’s with children also present. So Jesus ask for the five loaves and two fishes and He looked up to heaven, blessed the food, brake and give it to His disciples to give to the people that they may eat and be filled. 

 

Christ did not give a luxuries meal to the people to pervert appetite. He gave simple food to show we do not need rich foods that will not benefit us because of what the world does. If we follow the simple means of the laws of health, there will be abundant supply for those in need. Christ was teaching a lesson that He will supply your basic needs in the common needs of life.

 

Christ never worked a miracle except to supply a genuine necessity, and every miracle was of a character to lead the people to the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. DA 366.1

 

After Jesus fed the multitudes, there was plenty of food leftover. The people did eat and they were also full. They were about five thousand men that ate and their families, so there was much more than five thousand people and everyone did eat and were satisfied. The leftovers were twelve baskets full.

 

This had a significant meaning, Jesus said in John 6:12 "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." Jesus was teaching that nothing should be wasted and that the people should take the bread and share it with others. DA 368.1 The people were to take it home and giving it to their friends and other family members. Showing that Jesus is the one that fills the soul and satisfy it and that person will do the same for others, sharing with them the bread which is Jesus that comes down from heaven. This also shows our dependence upon God. When Christ prayed for the bread, He gave it to his disciples and the disciples gave it to the people. Here we see that the disciples were the channel between Him and his people. We can only give what we receive from Christ and as we keep giving, we will continue to receive form Him and the cycle continues by believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting DA 370.2. This is the law of life, we take to give and only God is the source of everything good.

 

22-33 Jesus tells His disciples to get into the ship and go to the other side while he sent the multitudes away because they were trying to force Jesus to be king John 6:14-15. When the multitude left, Jesus went up into a mountain to pray. This is a deep significance because Jesus knows and realizes that He needs alone time with God. Prayer is a big part of knowing God’s will for our lives. The bible says "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess 5:17, but even in the midst of a busy day, Christ took the time to be alone with God and pray. His location of choice was a mountain. Here we see that Christ was between the multitudes and the mountain. He helps those in the cities (although they followed Him to the mountain) and alone time with God in the mountain. We must do the same thing so we can have strength from God to help those in need and share the love of God. The disciples went into a ship to go to Bethsaida Mark 6:45-46 and the ship was tossed with waves because of the wind and in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them walking on the sea. The Roman divided the time at night into four watches:

 

First - 6pm-9pm

Second - 9pm-12am

Third - 12am-3am

Fourth - 3am-6am

 

In Luke 12:38, it mentions the other "watches" except for the first one, but if there is a fourth watch, then there must be three before it. Jesus said in Mark 13:35 that we need to watch and He names the four different watches of the night. Even, midnight, the cockcrowing, and morning. 

 

So Jesus came to them between 3am-6am in the morning walking on the sea and when the disciples saw Him they were afraid and Jesus affirm them by saying "Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid." What such peace that Jesus had to even walk on the sea in the midst of waves and wind. In Mark 6:48 Jesus saw them toiling because of a great wind John 6:18 and Peter answered and said Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water and Jesus said come. Peter got out of the boat and he was also walking on water towards Jesus. He was doing fine if he kept his eyes on Jesus, but Peter saw the wind of strife he was afraid and begin to sink and he cried out and said Lord, save me and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him. Jesus also said to him O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? and when they both came into the ship the wind ceased and the disciples worshipped Him. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus no matter what. When Jesus is in your heart, the wind will cease. The wind in the bible represents false doctrine Ephesians 4:14 and Jesus rebuked the wind Mark 4:39 but He said to the sea, Peace, be still and the sea represent peoples, multitudes and nations, and tongues. So Peter was focused on the false doctrine and begin to sink, but thank the Lord he called out to the Savior and the Lord was there immediately to save him. When they got into the ship, the disciples came and worshipped Him saying "Of a truth thou art the Son of God"

 

Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, "I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word." But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. DA 382.4

 

34-36 They finally made it over and came into the land of Gennesaret. When the people heard that Jesus was there, they went throughout the whole region and people brought their sick to Jesus and he healed them. In Mark 6:56, it says Jesus entered villages, cities and the country and people laid the sick in the streets and seek Him that they might touch the hem or border of his garment and whoever touch him were made whole. Jesus was a walking sanitarium, everywhere He went people were impacted by His love and willingness to heal. This is important because right now there are so many people dealing with sickness and disease and it is increasing. Satan is attacking the minds of people and they become sick, diseased and can’t hear the truth and Jesus during his time was dealing with religious pressure and criticism. 

 

As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation, those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be placed in unfavorable positions. For their own sake they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. And those who do this will find a field of labor anywhere. There will be suffering ones, plenty of them, who will need help, not only among those of our own faith, but largely among those who know not the truth.—Medical Missionary, November, December, 1892. WM 137.1