sf128 - A Saint A Sinner And The Savior (Matthew 14 1-13)
Matthew 14:1-13
Introduction
The context
This passage forms an important transition in Matthew’s gospel
Ø In chapter 13 Jesus predicts that there will be opposition to His kingdom, we see now the nature of the opposition.
Ø We see a shift in His ministry, He moves from a public teaching ministry to a more private teaching ministry.
The setting
Machaerus
Ø A fortress located seven miles northeast of the Dead Sea
Ø Built by Alexander Janneus and restored by Herod the Great
The characters
Herod the tetrarch, also called Herod Antipas
Ø He was a son of Herod the Great (the one who ordered the killing of the babies in Bethlehem)
Ø He ruled for 30 years over Galilee and Perea
Herodias
Ø Herod Antipas’ second wife
Ø Herod the Great’s granddaughter
Ø She was married to Herod Phillip, Herod Antipas’ half-brother
Salome
Ø Herodias’ daughter by Phillip
John the Baptist
Jesus
1A. A Saint: John the Baptist
1B. John was a righteous man (Mark 6:20; Matthew 11:11)
Demonstrated by his separated life-style
Ø He was not like the world in the way he dressed or lived.
Demonstrated by his self-denial
Ø John had taken a Nazirite vow. (Luke 1:15)
Ø Along with not drinking wine or liquor, the vow also involved never cutting the hair or touching anything, such as a dead body, that was ceremonially unclean.
Ø His self-denial was purposeful; it was for the sake of his ministry and it aided his own physical and spiritual discipline.
2B. John was an outspoken man
In public (Matthew 3:1-2; 7-10)
In private (Matthew 14:4)
Ø The language here indicates that John had repeatedly rebuked Herod concerning his sin.
3B. John was a courageous man
He feared God more than man (Matthew 10:28)
He loved God more than life (Philippians 1:21)
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
He loved others more than himself (Philippians 1:23-24)
2A. A Sinner: Herod
1B. Herod was wicked
He seduced his brother’s wife, wrongly imprisoned John, contributed to the corruption of his step-daughter/niece, and ordered the murder of John without a trial
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
2B. Herod was deceptive
He was crafty, shrewd, deceptive, hypocritical, and devious. Protecting John when all along he desired to kill him.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
3B. Herod was weak
He was more interested in saving face than doing right.
Jude 1:16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
4B. Herod was superstitious
Whenever we reject God’s truth we open ourselves to Satan’s lie. (Romans 1:22-25)
3A. The Savior: Jesus
1B. Who is this Jesus?
He is God incarnate (John 1:1, 14)
He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
He is the eternal Son of God (John 1:34)
2B. What He has done
He lived a sinless life
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
He died as the substitute for sinners
2 Corinthians 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Isaiah 53:6
He rose from the dead to secure eternal life for all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
He intercedes on the behalf of His children.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Application
We are all great sinners in need of a great Savior, call on Him in repentance and faith today!!!!!
Matthew 14:1-13
1A. A __________________________: John the Baptist
1B. John was a ____________________________ man (Mark 6:20; Matthew 11:11)
Demonstrated by his separated life-style
Demonstrated by his self-denial (Luke 1:15)
2B. John was an ___________________________ man
In public (Matthew 3:1-2; 7-10)
In private (Matthew 14:4)
3B. John was a ____________________________ man
He feared God more than man (Matthew 10:28)
He loved God more than life (Philippians 1:21)
He loved others more than himself (Philippians 1:23-24)
2A. A ____________________________________: Herod
1B. Herod was ____________________________ (Romans 12:3; Galatians 6:3)
2B. Herod was deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9)
3B. Herod was weak (Jude 1:16)
4B. Herod was superstitious (Romans 1:22-25)
3A. The ___________________________________: Jesus
1B. _______________________________ is this Jesus?
He is God incarnate (John 1:1, 14)
He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
He is the eternal Son of God (John 1:34)
2B. _______________________________ He has done
He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15)
He died as the substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:19; Isaiah 53:6)
He rose from the dead to secure eternal life for all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
He intercedes on the behalf of His children (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25)