Matthew 14 "Birthday Party Gone Wrong"

The Good Shepherd prepares a table before us in the presence of His and our enemies (). At a scandalous birthday party, our God loves and cares for His servant John the Baptist. He also compassionately provides for His disciples in His Feast for the 5,000.

I. Christ’s Kingdom Invades the Kingdoms of This World –

A. Herod the Great

1. Became King of Judea and Galilee by bribing Caesar Augustus

2. He had ten wives

3. He had killed two of his own sons and his favorite wife out of jealousy

B. Herod Antipas

1. Divorced his wife – the daughter of King Aretas

2. He married his brother’s wife Herodias – which was incestuous – ;

C. John the Baptist

1. Rebuked Herod –

2. Herod Antipas had a guilty conscience –

3. Temporal rulers confuse moral reproof with political pronouncements –

II. The Results of a Guilty Conscience –

A. Lust inflamed

1. Salome danced at Herod’s birthday party

2. Herod promised to give her whatever she wanted up to half of his kingdom –

B. Tyrants

1. Believe citizens belong to them

2. John the Baptist’s head was not part of his kingdom but John belonged to God’s kingdom

3. All souls are mine says the Lord – ;

C. You do not have to keep a vow that is against God’s law

1. “It is never safe nor right to go against conscience” - Martin Luther

2. False duty –

3. He beheaded John –

John’s head on a platter is the end of this feast based on lust. King Aretas avenged the insult to his daughter.

III. Christ’s Feast –

A. Jesus desired a quiet place to grieve

1. Compassion overcame His grief –

2. Jesus gives them an impossible task – ;

3. This task is not to humiliate them but to teach them to learn of His provision

B. Jesus multiplies what we bring to Him –

1. Michael Card calls this an “un-miraculous miracle” - Identity, IVP, p 136

2. Silently and quietly all are fed

3. There are twelve baskets for each unbelieving and astounded disciple

Which feast would you rather eat – Herod’s feast or Jesus’ feast?

Are you “feasting” at the table of this world or at Jesus’ feast? “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” “I will set a table before you in the presence of your enemies”

The first thing to in a godless society is courage.