Matthew 14 - When Life is Suffering

When Life is Suffering Matthew 14: 1-12 HCC Mar 2023 Matthew 14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about 2 Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous 3 powers are at work in him.” Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, 4 his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: 5 “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. Matthew 14 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for 7 the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised 8 with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of 9 John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request 10 11 be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who 12 carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 6 Suffering Matthew 11 When John, who was in prison, heard about the 3 deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 2 Matthew 14 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his 4 brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have 5 her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. 3 Dietrich Bonhoeffe r (19061945) Matthew 14 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the 9 Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that 10 her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. 8 How can we respond to suffering? How can we respond to suffering? • Know that God is sovereign • Know there is something better • Know the love of Jesus John 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from 2 birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 3 Hebrews 11 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword… 37 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been 40 promised, since God had planned something better for us… 39 Matthew 14 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 12 John 3 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 26 Matthew 11 “Come to me, all you who are weary and 29 burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your 30 souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 28 Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures… Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me… 4 Philippians 3 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his 11 sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 10 “Jesus Christ did not suffer so that you would not suffer. He suffered so that when you suffer, you’ll become more like him. The gospel does not promise you better life circumstances; it promises you a better life.” - Tim Keller