No Time to Mourn — A Day of Monsters, Miracles, and Mentoring
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Introduction
Introduction
As I was studying this week, something dawned on me that I had never really thought about before.
As a Bi-Vocational Pastor, there is never any down time. I work basically 7 days a week, roughly 48 weeks a year, and when you add in the kids activities, I am constantly on the go.
And I’m going to be honest, after 8 years with hardly no down time whatsoever, you get to the point to where you just want to give up.
There are days when I just don’t know if I can go another week. Weekends where I just want to take a break like everyone else gets to do.
You see, people don’t understand the life of a Pastor and especially the life of a Bi-Vocational Pastor who works a 40+ hour work week like everyone else.
You work your regular job, you care for the needs of the Church, you study to teach and preach multiple times a week and then you give what little time you have left after all of that, to your family.
It’s exhausting to say the least.
And if I’m being honest, I’ve been at the end of my rope for a while now but this week as I was reading through this chapter and pondering upon the life of Christ, I seen myself in His shoes.
Now, I’m not trying to compare myself to Christ by no means but what I mean is the hustle and the bustle of a life without downtime. A life where you’re always on the go and everywhere you go there is someone or something that needs your attention.
And in that moment, when my eyes were open to the fact that the life I’m currently living is no different from the life my Lord lived, especially for the last 3 1/2 years of His life, I found some peace, some comfort and some encouragement.
Living for God is in no way easy. Especially if you’re trying to go all in for Him!
But I know in the end, as the great Christian Missionary Paul said, it shall turn to my salvation and will be worth it all.
Today, we’re going to be looking at Matthew Chapter 14.
And I wanted to try and maybe split this chapter up but the more I read it, the more I just felt in my heart we need to look at the whole thing in one sitting in order that we might take in the chapter as a whole because I believe that’s how it took place.
One obstacle after another, as one job is finished another begins, the never ending, always on the go, life of Christ before our very eyes!
So, if you have your Bibles turned to Matthew 14 with me, would you say, Amen.
The Monsters — (Vs. 1-13)
The Monsters — (Vs. 1-13)
Vs. 1-2
Vs. 1-2
Chuck Swindoll says — These are the words of a man driven to mad superstition by a wounded conscience.
And when you understand the story in front of you, I think he’s right on the money.
You see, the Bible actually tells us in...
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
A part of Herod knew what was right and was drawn to the truth but as the soil we studied among the thorns, the ways of the world and the allure of pomp and position were choking the gospel seed that had been planted.
Deep down, Herod knew right from wrong. He knew what he should and should not do. He knew the ways of God and the ways of the world and yet he chose the world.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
And we can definitely see the love of the Father was not in Herod by the actions that take place next.
It’s almost at this very moment, Matthew decides to hit the pause button and fill us in on a few details that we’ve missed along the way.
Does anyone remember the last time we seen John the Baptizer in Scripture?
It was back in Chapter 11 when John sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He truly was the prophesied Messiah, remember?
And then, that was it until now. But something has happened that we’ve missed along the way and Matthew decides to fill us in here on the situation.
Now, look on down with me at Verses 3-11.
Vs. 3-11
Vs. 3-11
When Herod had taken Herodias as his wife, John was appalled at the blatant sin and called him out on it.
It would seem that although it angered Herod Antipas, it angered his newfound love more, for she harbored anger and resentment in her heart toward John until she ultimately got what she wanted!
Now, don’t get me wrong, it angered Herod and we see in the scripture here that he “wanted” to put John to death for calling him out on his sin but it almost seems as if he’s content with just keeping him in jail for fear of a riot from the people if he were to follow through with his plan to kill him.
So, Herod’s birthday comes around and the who’s who of Galilee and Peraea have come to the shindig.
Undoubtedly there were military leaders and statesmen and other rulers from the surrounding area who had come to Herod’s party.
And it’s in this setting that we see Herod’s wife, Herodias, make her move to fulfill her plan to get rid of her arch nemesis John the Baptist.
I don’t know if this was a custom for parties during this era or something that just happened but the Bible tells us that Herodias daughter, whose name was Salome, danced before the crowd and it pleased Herod.
Now, don’t get the idea that this was some little dance like one of these little one’s might perform. No this was a dance to entice.
A. T. Robertson describes the scene: “It was a shameful exhibition of lewd dancing prearranged by Herodias to compass her purpose for John’s death. Salome had stooped to the level of an almeh, or common dancer.”
The Bible tells us next that her dance pleased Herod, so much so, that he offers to give her whatever her heart desired even unto half of the kingdom as you’ll find over in Marks gospel!
Now, the problem was, Herod made this oath in front of the entire crowd and now that the oath has been put forth, it cannot be retracted.
What kind of leader would that be?
So, Salome goes and asks her mother what she should ask for and Herodias tells her “John the Baptist’s head on a platter!”
When the request is made, you can almost hear the internal gasp of Herod for he knew he’d made a grave mistake but the deed had been done, the oath had been given and now he must follow through or be looked upon by all his peers as a liar!
Caught in his own web of deceit, Herod gives the order and before the night was through John the Baptizer was in paradise while his head was passed around the party on a platter like some prized trophy!
Some would say poor John but listen, there was no poor John!
John was much better off now! He had been freed from that prison cell…that dark, cold, dungeon they had been keeping him in!
He’s now walking and talking with angels waiting on Jesus to get back!
This was no surprise to John. He knew this time would come.
In…
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John knew this day would come and he was ready for it!
Would he have rather it been under different circumstances?
I’m sure. Who wouldn’t.
But John understood this was all part of the Master’s plan.
And the point we need to understand this morning is that Jesus said persecution would come to those who followed Him.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John spoke truth and because it went against their wants and their desires, he was beheaded for it.
And I’m just here to tell you this morning, if you stand up for God; if you speak enough truth; if you call right, right and wrong, wrong; at some point, you’re sure to suffer persecution as well!
Story of Pastor who was let go because the church wasn’t growing even though he was preaching truth!
Vs. 12-13
Vs. 12-13
So, John has now passed on. Herod and Herodias and Salome are monsters. John’s disciples come and get his body and give their beloved prophet a proper funeral and then they go and tell Jesus the evil that had befallen His beloved forerunner.
When Jesus hears of the wickedness that had happened to John, the Bible tells us that Jesus gets into a ship and departs into a desert place.
Now, I personally believe that after hearing the news Jesus needed to just get away to Himself and mourn for the passing of His dear friend who had gone on before.
When you lose someone near and dear to you, there comes a point and time when you have to grieve for the passing of that loved one.
If not, if you harbor it up inside and try to move on and bypass the grieving the process, the only thing you’re going to do it prolong the grief.
There has to be a time to remember. There has to be a time to release.
There will be a time of sorrow and the only way to overcome that sorrow is to let it out!
And here Jesus was and I truly believe He wanted to get away to grieve but as we see so very often, there’s not even time for that.
As He’s trying to get away, the Bible tells us that people hear of His leaving and they followed Him out of the cities.
And it’s almost as if wherever Jesus was headed the people beat Him there!
Look on down with me at The Miracle in Verses 14-21.
The Miracle — (Vs. 14-21)
The Miracle — (Vs. 14-21)
13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.
14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Before Jesus could even get to the remote place He was headed, the crowds had beat Him there!
Now at this point, a majority of people might get upset…here you are just trying to get away to mourn....to get off into your secret place but you can’t do that because no matter where you go people are there waiting on you with needs of their own!
Can you imagine?
But instead of getting angry, instead of saying… “Hey captain, I’m gonna need you to all steam ahead to the next stop”…the Bible tells us that as Jesus steps out of the boat, He sees the huge crowd that had assembled and He has compassion on them.
This phrase, “He was moved with compassion” has a very intense meaning.
You see, the word “compassion” — (splagchnizomai) — it literally means to have the bowels yearn. To be moved on the inside! Figuratively speaking, it means to feel sympathy or to pity.
One writer said — The verb splagchnízomai is frequently associated with action; that is, it is not a passive emotion that “feels but does nothing.”
Because we can feel the pain of others as if it were deep within our own bodies and since we always do what we can about our own pain, the verb includes the complex idea of sympathetic action.
That same writer goes on to say — The word “sick,” used here for the first time, is arrṓstous and it means without natural strength, having some form of chronic illness. The sick here suffered from various chronic sicknesses that disabled them one way or another. The Lord was moved by both the sicknesses and the handicaps they produced. — Zodhiates
When Jesus stepped out of that boat He didn’t just see a needy crowd, no He seen a crowd in need!
He seen a crowd with problems only He could fix.
He seen a crowd whose problems not only ailed them but they ailed Him too!
He hurt as they hurt. He felt as they felt. Their pain was His pain and it moved Him in such a way that His mourning for John had to take a back seat for a little bit and He could simply do what He came to do!
To heal those who could not heal themselves!
Can I tell you this morning friend that Jesus is still in the healing business today?
And not just the physical healing but most importantly the Spiritual healing!
So many people are broken inside and in need of a spiritual healing but they look in every place but the right place for their answer!
Listen to me this morning Church, Jesus is the only answer to your Spiritual problems, Amen!
It’s not some self help program. It’s not some 1-800 # you can call.
If you’ve got spiritual problems this morning, you need to come to the one who operates in Spirit and truth, Amen!
That’s the only way you will ever be able to satisfy those spiritual needs…through the power of the Holy Spirit!
So, Jesus sees the multitudes; He’s moved with compassion; He begins to heal; And before you know it, the entire day has passed by and now the sun is beginning to set.
15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
Can you imagine the look on the faces of the disciples when Jesus says this?
I mean here’s 10, 15, 20k people and Jesus looks right at His pupils and says, “There’s no need for them to leave. Just feed them!”
Now, before we get into their reaction, let me share with you a very vital passage of scripture to help you understand what’s about to happen.
In...
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
Before Jesus ever made the comment, He knew what He was about to do. He saw an opportunity to teach a little here.
He was thinking to Himself…“You know what, this would be a great time to remind them just who I am…The great I am!”
In Verse 17, the disciples immediately go into panic mode!
“Lord, we ain’t got nothing here but five loaves of bread and two small fishes! What in the world is that going to do for this crowd?”
Jesus says, “bring them here.”
Then He takes the loaves and the fish and looks up to Heaven and blesses it. Now I want to stop right here for a sec and throw in a side note.
When the Bible says He blesses the fish and the bread, if you look up the word “bless” here, it takes the word to a whole different level.
The Greek word used for “bless” is (eulogeo) and the basic meaning of eulogeo is to speak well of something but in the NT it typically carries a more nuanced sense, rooted in the Hebrew background of the OT concept of blessing.
It has connotations that extend beyond simply speaking well of someone or something and also expresses the favorable conditions resulting from the declaration of blessing!
As Jesus was blessing the food, He new exactly to what extent those two little fishes and five loaves of bread were about to accomplish!
He blesses the food, and breaks it and begins to hand out to His disciples, who in turn, passed it on to the crowds and they just kept passing and kept passing and kept passing.
The more they came back for the more the food multiplied!
And the Bible says there that they “all” ate and that they “all” were “filled!”
The word used here “Filled” — Greek word (Chortazo) — (generally) to gorge (supply food in abundance):—feed, fill, satisfy.
Listen, there wasn’t a single person there that evening that left hungry, Amen!
They were filled! They were stuffed! Completely full! Satisfied!
Oh dear friend, can I tell you this morning that we you get filled with what Jesus is feeding you, you will be completely filled, fully satisfied, Amen!
It don’t get any better than that!
And then it says they took up afterwards, 12 baskets of fragments!
I just love how the Bible puts this little tid bit in here!
They started with one little lad, one basket, 5 loaves and two fishes but praise God, 1 basket turned into 12!
From one man’s loins came 12 tribes — Jacob.
And just as God took one man and caused multitudes to spring forth from his loins, He took one one basket with 2 fishes and 5 loaves and fed the multitudes!
And listen Church, there wasn’t 13 baskets of leftovers, not 11 baskets of leftovers but 12 baskets!
I think that was Jesus way of saying, “I’m the one you’ve been looking for, waiting for, longing for! Your fathers only dreamed about this day but this day is here, I am here and I am here for you!”
Can you imagine the reactions of the disciples when they just kept coming back for more food and no doubt expecting it to run out but it never did?
I bet they were in awe! Utter and complete awe!
And don’t miss the special note it finishes the section out with there in Verse 21.
21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
It wasn’t Jesus feeds the 5,000. It was more like Jesus fed 10, 15, or 20k!
What a mighty God we serve Amen!
Warren Wiersbe — The miracle of multiplication was in His hands! “Little is much if God is in it.”
Before we move on to the final point in the passage this morning, I want to take just a second to share a word of application with you that Chuck Swindoll wrote because I found it very profound.
Chuck Swindoll — Instead of saying, “We can’t,” they (the disciples) should have responded to Jesus the same way the prophet Jeremiah had toward God: “Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jer. 32:17).
But when our minds are riveted to the human perspective, our reason will be limited to human possibilities. All we can focus on is what can’t be done. We forget that God is the God of the impossible, the One who said, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer. 32:27).
While it was impossible for the disciples to meet the need, it was not impossible for the Lord.
As long as we operate our lives from a horizontal point of view—focusing on the limitations of this physical world, with its inviolable laws of cause and effect—the only thing we’ll see is the impossibilities. As long as we’re stuck on that horizontal plane, looking only at the human side of things, we’ll come up against walls over and over and over again and our lives will be marked by the negative—what can’t be done.
But instead, look up. Thank the Lord in prayer, and let Him turn your impossible situation into a great opportunity to “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
He knows what you need, and He knows when you need it. And the One who spoke this universe into existence isn’t bound by our materialistic notions of “if this … then that.”
From our limited viewpoint, we can’t see the magnificent opportunities God sees. If we truly trust God, we need to accept this fact: Nothing is impossible with Him.
Listen, I don’t know what you’re going through this morning, but what I do know is this…if God can take two fish and five loaves of bread and feed thousands, no matter what that thing is that’s going on in your life, He can help you with it as well!
With men, some things are impossible but not with God for all things are possible with God!
We’ve looked at the Monsters and a Miracle and lastly this morning we’re going to look at The Mentoring.
The Mentoring — (Vs. 22-36)
The Mentoring — (Vs. 22-36)
After gathering up the fragments, the Bible says in Verse 22 in the NLT version...
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
Now, Matthew doesn’t tell us why Jesus was so persistent that they get out of dodge but if you look over in John’s gospel you will see why.
The Bible says in...
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Jesus didn’t want to be the king of this world in the sense that they wanted Him to be king. That wasn’t His reason for coming. If you will remember what He told Pilot in
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
This world had nothing it could offer the King of the universe! But the people seen the miracles and for a very long time now they had been seeking the Messiah and I believe they believed He was Him but they didn’t understand the real reason behind His coming.
It wasn’t to overthrow and free them from the oppression of Rome but rather to free them from the snare of Satan!
To defeat that evil foe who for so long had them under His finger!
That’s the enemy that Christ came to overcome!
And so when they would take Him and try to make Him King, He insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go across to the other side of the lake...(KJV — Jesus constrained — to compel, force or make someone do something).
It was more of a command than a “would you please get in the boat and leave.”
“It’s time to go fellows!”
And then, Jesus Himself went up into a mountain by Himself to pray.
Finally, He got that time alone that He had been looking for all day and undoubtedly He got some quality time with the Father and was able to vent and mourn and just get some things off His chest.
Can I tell you that we all need alone time with the Father. If you don’t make some one on one time for the Father, you’re missing out.
So, Jesus goes up the mountain and prays and the disciples are heading across the lake but a problem arises.
In Verse 24, the Bibles tells us that the disciples were running into some issues getting across the lake.
They were in the middle of the sea and the waves were getting wild and the wind was contrary the Bible says.
The word “contrary” means against or hostile. They were rowing, they were giving it everything they had but they weren’t getting anywhere!
So much so, the way I take it, things were getting dangerous!
I can only imagine the thoughts running through the disciples minds.
“Where’s Jesus? He’s sent us over the sea but we’re never even going to make it! We’re going to die on this sea!”
What they were forgetting is that Jesus told them to go to the other side. Don’t you think since Jesus is God in the flesh, since He’s omniscient, that He would have known if they weren’t going to make it?
Don’t you think since He’s God that He knew that storm was going to arise?
Don’t you think that He knew what the disciples would do and how they would react?
What they didn’t realize is that this was all part of the Master’s plan.
Some times you have to take a person out into the deep water and let them go in order to teach them to swim.
This was Lessons in Faith 101 taught by none other than the one and only Son of God.
Jesus had sent the disciples out into the dark alone. But they didn’t realize is that they were never really alone!
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Don’t you just love that?
He saw them!
Out there in the dark; out there in the midst of that boisterous sea; out there giving it everything they got and getting nowhere; out there thinking that all hope is lost and this just might be the end!
Listen friend, you might find yourself in that same situation this morning but know this…You are never alone!
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley, when things go wrong, He’ll make them right, And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times, the God of the day, is still God in the night!
Aren’t you glad of that this morning friend!
I don’t know about you but I sure am glad I am never alone!
Just when all hope seemed lost, when chaos ensued and despair seemed to be their fate, the master of the universe came walking to them on the water!
At first sight they thought it was a ghost
The Bible says they were troubled.
The word “troubled” — tarasso — to strike one’s spirit with fear or dread. To cause one an inward commotion!
They were scared to death but when He spoke and they realized it was Jesus can you imagine the peace that overcame these men!
Everything around them was in utter chaos and confusion! The wind was boisterous and the waves were bashing against the boat but then, out of nowhere, here comes the Master of the sea walking on the water!
He wasn’t faltering or fighting the wind the and waves for they obeyed Him! He walked on them and praise God, what was over the disciples heads was under the Master’s feet and chaos, calamity and confusion was constrained in the presence in the Master!
Oh dear friend listen to me, when the waves of this world are crashing down around you and the wind seems to be blowing you off course be of good cheer for the Master is in the midst! What’s outside of your control is under his control!
1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Precious promises for the one who knows Jesus as Lord!
At this point, Peter says, “Lord, if it’s really you tell me to come to you.”
Don’t you just love Jesus’ response.
“Come.”
Can I tell you this morning that Jesus wants every person sitting here to come to Him.
I just love that… “Peter, if you want to come, then come! I want you to come to me. I sure ain’t going to stop you!”
You know something that jumped out to me when I was thinking on this…Peter was exhibiting exactly what Jesus wanted him to right here…faith!
This entire mission was a faith building mission and Peter’s the only one getting marks for trying to pass the test!
Jesus wanted them all to step out of that boat and come to Him but Peter was the only one bold enough to even try!
And listen, Jesus wants the same thing for you and I. When those storms come our way…we can keep rowing, going nowhere…or we can do like Peter and come to Jesus in the midst of the storm!
Peter steps out, and for a brief moment everything seemed to be going good as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus.
Chuck Swindoll said — But within a few seconds, Peter lost his focus on the Master of the elements and started examining the elements themselves: “Seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out.”
“Lord save me!”
Oh if only we had more people crying out those very words amen!
Can I tell you that’s still the only plea that will save a man who’s sinking deep in sin?
“Lord, save me!”
And look what Jesus does… “immediately” Jesus stretched forth His hand and “caught” him and said, “O ye of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Warren Wiersbe said — This word translated doubt carries the meaning of “standing uncertainly at two ways.” Peter started out with great faith but ended up with little faith because he saw two ways instead of one.
Listen friend, there’s only one way… Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but through me!”
Peter let the toils of this world weaken his faith in Christ but he learned a very valuable lesson that would stick with Him for the rest of his life.
You see, the Bible says in...
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
If we want to win on this battlefield of life, we must keep our focus on Jesus!
There are so may things that tend to try and derail us but we must keep our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate prize for every born again believer!
Jesus walks Peter back to the ship and as soon as they get in, the wind ceases!
Then look at the disciple’s response in Verse 33.
One gospel says that immediately they were at the shore on the other side.
They come into the land of Gennesaret and when the crowds heard it, people from all over that area came to Jesus to be healed and said, “if we can but touch the hem of His garment, we will be made whole!”
That’s the kind of faith Jesus was trying to instill into His disciples.
Saving faith!
And I love how this chapter ends...
“As many as touched were made perfectly whole!”
Dear friend, if you are here this morning and feel something is missing, come, put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be made perfectly whole!