Matthew 13:54-14:12 "Heart Breaking Events"

Matt 13:54-14:12 "Heart Breaking Events" Marc Transparenti / General The Grace of the King / Grace; Herod Antipas; Herod Antipas beheads John the Baptist; Herod Antipas Swears an Oath to Herodias' Daughter in Jerusalem; Salome (Daughter of Herodias); Herodias; Herodias's daughter dances for Herod; Jesus is rejected at Nazareth (Luke) / Matthew 13:54-58; Matthew 14:1-12 Jesus is rejected and John is put to death. Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City! Mom's...Happy Mother's Day! You are blessed and appreciated! • If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hands and one of our ushers will bring you one. • If this is your first time at Calvary Chapel...I'm Pastor Marc...welcome! • Calvary Chapel is known for a few things...a relaxed environment, vibrant worship, and teaching the Bible chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse. Thanks for joining us today! ----------------------------------------------------------- Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew 13. The Gospel of Matthew is written to a Jewish audience with the intent of portraying Jesus as their King and Messiah. In Chapters 1-10 the theme is "The King Revealed" as Matthew unveils several things about Jesus... • Jesus' Davidic lineage... Fulfilled prophecy in birth... and Kingly gifts from Wise Men. • Jesus is announced by the forerunner John the Baptist, and approved by the Father and the Holy Spirit at His baptism. • Jesus triumphed over Satan's temptations, entered ministry, and choose Capernaum as His headquarters. • Jesus delivered the Sermon of the King / The Sermon on the Mount...which laid out principals for His citizens. • Jesus then demonstrated had Kingly Authority through various miracles, teachings, and power over man and nature. Starting in Chapter 11, the theme shifts to "The King Rejected." • In Chapters 11-12, Opposition to the King became evident. • In Chapter 13, Jesus, in response to the opposition, spoke in parables...8 parables...and depending on the soil of one's heart...good or bad...the truth of the parable was either concealed or revealed. • Now, from Matthew 13:54 to Matt 16:12 we observe a theme of grace. Thus, "The Grace of the King" will be our next general theme until Matt 16:12, and the reason for this theme is... despite mounting hostilities and various rejections of Jesus that we already observed and will continue to observe, Jesus continues healing and ministering the people...His grace is unwavering. • Grace is receiving mercy (getting what you don't deserve) with an added blessing on top. • As we go through these next few chapters...let's be reminded and reflect upon the grace Jesus has given us as well. Today, we'll pick up in Matt 13:54 and cover through Matt 14:12, looking at Jesus being rejected in His hometown, and the death of John the Baptist. Today's, sermon is titled "Heart Breaking Events." Let's pray! Matt 13:54-58 "When He had come to His own country, [Mark tells us "His disciples followed Him," so the disciples are there as well] He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's son? [Mark states, "Is this not the carpenter?" referring to Jesus. Either way, Jesus grew up in the trade under Joseph, so both statements are true. We often think of Jesus as a carpenter in the sense of a wood worker, but carpenter in Gk. is tĕktōn by def. "a general craftsman in wood, stone, even engraving," so Jesus' skill set was likely a little broader]. continuing in V55... "Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? [good proof text against the 'Perpetual Virginity of Mary']. Where then did this Man get all these things?" [wisdom and mighty works] 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." 1. At the end of Chapter 13, Jesus departs from the Sea, and heads to His own country, Nazareth. I have a map to help you visualize His journey. 2. "His own country" refers to Nazareth...where Jesus was raised. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but raised in Nazareth. a. It's very interesting how God used natural events several times in Jesus' childhood to move the family from place to place...and there is a lesson in this for us. i. In Luke 2, we read about the Roman census that brought Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus would be born...fulfilling Mic 5:2. ii. At the end of Matt chapter 2...Herod the Great killed all the male children in Bethlehem (fulfilling Jer 31:15), which caused Jesus' family to flee (as warned by an angel), and they lived in Egypt for several years. iii. After Herod the Great died, it was safe for Jesus' family to return from Egypt...again an angel instructed Joseph... now to return to Israel,... but they found out that one of Herod's sons (Herod Archelaus) ruled over the a large province that included Bethlehem...and he was as crazy as his Pops! 1. Archelaus was known for tyranny, murder, and instability, so Jesus' family avoided his province, and headed further north to Nazareth (where Herod Antipas ruled...who was more tolerable...though not great). 2. Matt 2:23 notes, "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene." iv. So you can see how God used natural life circumstances to get Jesus' family to move here and there, but not by accident...it was intentional and these moves fulfilled prophecy. b. In our lives, God uses natural circumstances to guide our steps. For me, I have learned to wait upon the Lord to open doors for my next step. I know of 4 significant waiting seasons in my life since 2012, all have been ministry related...and all have been valuable. i. In my experience, when the Lord stirred our hearts to do something, a natural circumstances was related to the stirring... 1. Career fluctuation and drama stirred me to quit my career and go to Bible College to be equipped for ministry; 2. Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines stirred us towards missionary work; 3. President Duterte in the Philippines aligning with China stirred us to come home; 4. Being recruited for a job stirred us to come to Indiana. 5. Natural life events have moved us place to place to accomplish God's will. ii. And, the idea of God stirring hearts is Biblical. One of my favorite verses where this is portrayed is Exo 35:21 "Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments." 1. If your heart is stirred and your spirit is willing, you can accomplish mighty things for the Lord. iii. After God stirred our hearts, then we waited...(because we all like waiting). God stirred our hearts...gave us His vision...and then said, "Now wait!" As Americans...this is hard. 1. But, in waiting He prepares us and teaches us, and then in His perfect timing, He opened the doors to go and do. iv. Clinging to Bible verses to stay encouraged and focused in these waiting seasons is vital! 1. Hold Bible verses close to your heart...post them around your house...read them in the mornings... v. Some of my favorites "waiting season" verses are... 1. Ps 27:14 "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!" 2. Isa 40:31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." vi. If you are in a waiting season, be encouraged...these verses promise that God will strengthen your heart, renew your strength, and you will endure. God is doing something. 1. And, many times I have looked back and had an "Aha" moment...in retrospect I could see what God was doing. 2. And, I'm sure as God took Joseph and his family from place to place and had them in waiting seasons, they too could see the hand of God in their lives. 3. Back to Matthew. Jesus is now in His own country...Nazareth... with His disciples and Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on Sabbath (as recorded in Mark 6:2). a. This is not the first time Jesus taught in the Synagogue at Nazareth on Sabbath. You may recall a very similar scene in Nazareth, a year or so prior, in Luke 4 as Jesus taught from Isaiah 61...prophesying of His first coming, telling the listeners, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing"...and the people marveled at His gracious words, but responded, "Is this not Joseph's son?" Jesus responded, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country." i. In Matt 13, it's like we are re-living this event, except in Luke 4, the people are filled with wrath when Jesus speaks against them and they attempted to throw Him over a cliff. But, Jesus miraculously escapes through the midst of them. b. A year or so later, Jesus is back in Nazareth...teaching again, and despite recognizing Jesus' wisdom and miraculous power...they don't worship Him, but question where He got these things. And, by these questions they reject Him, and condemn themselves. c. They were not able to get past knowing Jesus growing up...they clung to the natural instead of yielding to the supernatural. i. Instead of acknowledging Jesus as Messiah in faith...they dwell upon His earthly father and mother and brother and sisters. ii. All they see is the boy who grew into a Man...but, they don't see Messiah. iii. They were offended at Him. Offended- Gk. skandalizō (root for our English word scandalous). The Greek meaning carries the idea "to trip up...to stumble." 1. Carson states, they "found in him obstacles to faith, even though the biggest obstacles were in their own hearts. d. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." meaning a prophet does receive honor, except by close friends and family. We have a saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." i. This scene of Jesus' hometown rejection should be an encouragement if you have witnessed to friends or family and they were stumbled by you. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless childhood into His teens and twenties, and now as a 30 something man, Jesus comes home with Messianic signs and wonders and divine wisdom...yet He is still rejected. ii. So, be encouraged...if you are rejected, you are in good company. Jesus said, "'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also." Jn 15:20 iii. Keep praying for your loved ones...I have prayed a prayer of salvation with 3 of my immediate family members, and pray that my life is a light in the world to many more lost friends and family. I pray they glorify God upon seeing the transformation in my life...and are not stumbled by the boy I used to be. 4. Now, very interesting, V58 states, "Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." a. Mark 6:5 records, "Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief." i. We only have "He marveled" recorded twice in the Gospels...the first time was when Jesus marveled at the faith of the Roman Centurion (a gentile) who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Matt 8; Luke 7). Jesus marveled and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" ii. And, how true that statement was because now, what we observe in Matt 13/Mark 6, is when Jesus returns to Nazareth, "He marveled because of their unbelief." 1. What more did they need to prove Jesus was Messiah? They observed ...His Davidic lineage...a huge entourage of wise men visiting Him as a young child bearing Kingly gifts...fulfilled prophecy...miraculous signs & wonders...divine teachings... a. Jesus will later say to the religious leaders, "You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times." Mt 16:3 The people of Nazareth were guilty of this same offense. b. Live your life by discerning the times....as if today were your last. Because Jesus could return at any time. iii. The unbelief portrayed in V58 is not like the father who cried out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" This is not a believer struggling with doubt. Look at the context...the people at Nazareth reject Jesus...they are not believers...they are hard hearted and offended by Jesus...that's the depth of unbelief here. 1. Unbelief is a powerful hindrance to the work of God. Unbelief puts God in a "no win" situation. If Jesus were to heal people who did not believe and were offended by Him, they would only resent Him for insinuating they were sick and in darkness. 2. When a person is hard hearted towards God, God honors the free will of man. The seed, the word of God, does not penetrate the hard soil/a well trodden path...symbolic of a hard heart. a. Pharoah saw numerous miraculous signs...10 plagues...yet his heart remained hard towards God. b. God could force His way in...He broke down the wall of Jericho, but He does not force belief upon a person...because then it would be mind-control...not true belief...not voluntary and authentic love. b. In Nazareth, Jesus experienced hard-hearted unbelief towards Him, and He does not force Himself upon the people of Nazareth. Their unbelief was a hindrance. a. Unbelief is powerful...powerful enough to hinder a healing, but the greater danger... unbelief condemns a person for rejecting Jesus and the free gift of God...salvation from sin through faith in Christ Jesus. b. Jesus "marveled because of their unbelief." And, I imagine He was broken hearted as well. 5. Chapter 14, sets the stage for another event that would break Jesus' heart...the death of John the Baptist. Matt 14:1-2 "At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." 1. As we enter into Matt 14, we are once again introduced to the Herodian Family...and what a family it was! If you want a case study of a dysfunctional family, look no further. a. I have a slide of the Herodian Family Tree and some of the ways they persecuted Jesus and Christians. b. This family was a dynasty that ruled over Israel and surrounding areas from 67 B.C. to roughly 100 A.D....contemporary to Jesus and the 1st Century church. i. They were powerful, cruel, ingenious, industrious, murderous, incestuous, insane... c. Logos Bible Software has this succinct overview of the family, "Christ was born when Herod the Great was ruling. Herod's son, Herod Antipas, was the ruler of Galilee and Perea, the territories in which Jesus and John the Baptist carried out most of their ministries. It was this ruler who beheaded John the Baptist and tried Christ just before his death. Herod Agrippa I is persecutor of the church in Acts 12, and Herod Agrippa II heard Paul's testimony (Acts 26) just before he went to Rome to be tried by the caesar." d. There were numerous Herods...thus it's a bit confusing trying to figure out, "Which Herod?" 2. The Herod in Matt 14 is Herod Antipas the tetrarch (meaning "the ruler of a fourth part of a country."). When Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided amongst 3 of his sons. a. Herod Archelaus was an Ethnarch ruling over a whole province...roughly half of Herod the Greats kingdom (Samaria, Judea, and Idumea which is directly south of Judea, and where Herod the Great was from...he was an Idumean). i. Archelaus was very murderous and created such great waves after ordering soldiers to kill 3000 Jews he deemed insurrectionists. He was stepped down quickly... only ruling from 4 B.C. to 6 A.D. His family and Rome turned against him,...he was banished to Gaul (which is modern day France plus several surrounding countries east and north of France). 1. The Roman Empire annexed (or added his province to the Roman territory) renaming it Judaea, where eventually Pontius Pilate would Govern from 26-36 A.D. ii. Fear of Archelaus is the reason Jesus' family did not settle in Bethlehem when they returned from Egypt (Matt 2:22)...instead they avoided Archelaus and settled further North in Nazareth. b. The other half of Herod the Great's kingdom was ruled by Herod Philip and Herod Antipas...both Tetrarchs...ruling over a fourth. i. Antipas' region was biblically significant since it encompassed Galilee, where most of Jesus' life and ministry is observed in the Gospels. 3. So, in V1, "Herod the Tetrarch" is Antipas...and he "heard the report about Jesus..." a. Jesus was in Antipas' region, and news of Jesus' miraculous works spread to Antipas. i. Luke 9:7-9 tell us "Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?" So he sought to see Him." ii. Mark 6:14 records Antipas saying, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." [speaking about Jesus]. b. So, Herod Antipas and the people in the area were trying to make sense of who Jesus was...they thought about Mal 4:5, that Elijah would return, and held various superstitions about old prophets. Antipas (likely influenced by a guilty conscience), thought Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected. None of these notions were true...except that Antipas was haunted by his foolish decision to kill John. i. A guilty conscience is like a dark cloud that shadows life. There are people who do some pretty horrible things, motivated by greed or pride...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life...and as time goes on they realize they are not good with what they did. And, they would give anything to go back and fix their mistake. ii. If you are here today, and you are wrestling with a guilty conscience, there are two things you need to do. 1. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and His Holy Spirit will dwell within you. 2. You must confess to God what you did, and He will forgive you. 1. 1 Jn 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." a. That verse has been called the "Christian Bar of Soap." 2. If you have done those two things, and you are still wrestling with a guilty conscience, then you must ask, "What is the source of this condemnation?" a. Satanic Condemnations will torture your mind...they are lies from the father of lies, the accuser of the brethren. These satanic condemnations must be rebuked in prayer. b. But, Godly Convictions you must heed...they are true, and obedience to these convictions will lead to peace. c. How do you know the difference? One will drive you away from God, and the other will drive you towards God. i. The condemnations of the enemy are purposed in severing your relationship with God. ii. But, Godly convictions are purposed in restoring you and your relationship with Him. c. Herod Antipas was wrestling with a guilty conscience, but He never yielded his life to Christ. So, as we read "he sought to see Him [Jesus]" in Luke 9, or "...the king was exceedingly sorry" in Mk 6:26 know these intentions and feelings were shallow...NOT grounded in purity or true repentance. Antipas was a man of the flesh... 4. From VSS 3-12, we observe what is called a "Literary Flashback" as Matthew recounts the murder of John the Baptist... Matt 14:3-4 "For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. [for Antipas had married her] 4 Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 1. According to Josephus, Herod Antipas went to Rome and courted Herodias (his half-niece; remember Herod the Great was a polygamist, and the Herod's, in general, were incestuous). Herodias was married to Antipas' half-brother, Philip, and leaves Philip for Antipas. a. John the Baptist spoke out against this unlawful union. John stood up for God's law and against this evil. John was bold to speak truth to one of the most powerful couples of the time...and ultimately it cost John his life. i. Speaking truth sometimes comes at a cost. b. To marry Herodias, Antipas divorced Phasaelis, the daughter of Aretas IV (the king of Arabia Petrea...in modern day Jordan). Aretas was already disputing with Antipas over land, and this offense against his daughter was too much...so, they went to war and Herod Antipas' army was crushed. i. Josephus records, "Now, some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist; for Herod slew him, who was a good man..." ii. Interesting how a secular historian records accounts of John the Baptist...John was not just some fictitious character...He is grounded in secular history...the Bible is trustworthy. Matt 14:5 "And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet." 1. In V5, we get some insight into what Antipas was thinking and feeling- mixed feelings and pressures all around. a. On one hand, we read he wanted to kill John, and perhaps there were some of those feelings at times as John did call him out and no doubt insulted his pride, but he feared all the followers of John who considered him a prophet... i. And, indeed John was a prophet... "more than a prophet" according to Jesus in Matt 11. John was the last and greatest of the OT prophets for he beheld Messiah. ii. To paraphrase Josephus... 'Herod had a suspicious temper and feared John's influence over the people to raise a rebellion...thus he thought it best to put him to death to prevent any mischief he might cause. So, he sent him to the castle Macherus where John was put to death." b. I do wonder if Herod had greater motivation to put John to death because of pressures from Herodias. We read in Mark 6:19-20 "Therefore Herodias held it against him [lit., "had it in for him," by impl. "held a grudge"] and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." i. Herodias wanted revenge, but Herod Antipas held her back for fear of the crowds, but also because of a personal moral dilemma- Antipas knew John was a "just and holy man" AND, Antipas liked John... "when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." 1. It seems that John was a good influence on Antipas...Antipas did good things when he heard John, and he enjoyed hearing John. a. One scholar wrote, "Herod's conflict between his passion for Herodias and his respect for John showed his vacillating moral weakness." (BKC) b. Herod knew the right thing to do, and while he protected John for a season, he never made a bold stand for righteousness, and ultimately succumbed to peer pressure. c. Be bold for righteousness...Don't be like Herod. This is no small thing in the world we live today. Matt 14:6 "But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, [Mark tells us Herod gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee...poor guy had to give a feast for anyone to come to his birthday party. So, at this feast...]. the daughter of Herodias [Josephus tells us her name was "Salome" and scholars estimate her age between 12-14] danced before them and pleased Herod." 1. So, under the influence of her mother, Salome dances before Herod Antipas and his officials, and Herod was pleased. 2. The word pleased carries the idea of "exciting emotion." Thus, many scholars believe this was an sensual dance, however, the text does not say this explicitly. But, it's plausible considering Herod's low moral value and how he responds. Matt 14:7 "Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask." 1. Mark 6:23 tells us the specific words of the oath..."Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." a. This oath should remind you of the words of king Ahasuerus to Esther in Esther 5 and 7. b. This oath was not to be taken literally, but was a proverbial saying for generosity. 2. It's rather arrogant for Antipas to promise a kingdom that he did not have. But, he is caught up in the heat of the moment, and spouts out these words...and foolishly creates a high pressure situation that he feels he can't back out of. a. Watch the words you use and the promises you make... i. James 3:6 states, "...the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity." ii. Jesus said, "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Matt 15:11 Matt 14:8 "So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter." 1. Herod is pleased, and in the presence of many men of influence. And, being this is a feast, no doubt he is under the influence of alcohol as well...many bad decisions and words are said under the influence of alcohol. I've made 1 or 2 of these mistakes. 2. Mark 6 describes Herod's birthday as an "opportune day"...no doubt opportune for Herodias to manipulate both Salome and Herod and get her revenge on John. a. After Herod gives the oath, Mark 6:24-25 states, "So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." b. "Here you are mom! You always wanted to get a-head in life. ...Happy Mother's Day!" i. Herodias was ambitious...it's a fitting joke. 1. Some Mother's Day message...who is the Pastor at that church? ii. I will say this...Herodias was a terrible mother. She should have protected her daughter, but in her ambition and need for revenge she used Salome as a puppet...to dance before drunken men...and to request the death of a just and holy man. iii. Pro 31:28 states, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her..." Neither of these reflections of a great Mom and Wife could be said of Herodias. Matt 14:9 "And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her." 1. His sorrow was not godly sorrow...not true repentance...just a feeling,... but not a conviction to do right...as seen by the gut wrenching words... "nevertheless..." 2. Antipas was sorry...Mark says, "exceedingly sorry," but not sorry enough to stand for righteousness. a. Because he made an oath, and because he was in the presence of men of stature, he does not refuse Herodias and succumbs to the pressure. b. Since Antipas would not lay down his pride, John must lay down his head. A very uneven exchange. Matt 14:10-11 "So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother." 1. Just to add to the trauma for Salome...She had to dance, make the death request, and now she is delivered the head. a. We are shaped by our life experiences...and what I can tell about Salome (based on Josephus) is her adult life was clouded by controversy...not much different from her parents. She even married her cousin Aristobulus, so the incestuous tradition continued. 2. As we read through this account of the death of John, it would seem that Herodias and Antipas got away with murder. a. Gal 6:7 appropriately states, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." b. Even if Herodias and Antipas truly did get away with murder, one day they would give an account before God, and as unbelievers stand condemned. c. But, I do take some pleasure know that there was some earthly vindication as well. i. Herodias became envious of the success of Agrippa I, (her brother and Antipas' half-nephew), and in A.D. 39, she plotted with Antipas to denounce Agrippa I. So, Antipas went before Roman Emperor Caligula, but this back fired, since Agrippa I was a friend of Caligula. Emperor Caligula ultimately banished Antipas and Herodias to Vienna, a city of Gaul, and gave Antipas' lands to Agrippa I. ii. They lost everything....their lands...their power...their place...their home. They sowed to the wind and reaped the whirlwind. This evil, power-hungry couple had to live the rest of their days banished in obscurity. 3. Closing verse... Matt 14:12 "Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it ["laid it in a tomb"], and went and told Jesus." 1. Two things to note in this final verse... a. First, notice when they take John's body...they buried "it." They didn't bury "him." i. When the body dies, the soul and spirit of the person enter into eternity. Every single person is an eternal being, the only question is where will you spend eternity? ...which is determined by what you believe about Jesus in this lifetime. b. And second, pertaining to the "Feeding of the 5000" ...our study next week... when Jesus learned of John's death...He went to a deserted place by Himself. But, the crowds follow Him...no doubt He was grieving, but what does He do? i. He was moved with compassion for them, healed their sick, and then miraculously fed this crowd of 15-20 thousand people. ii. That's our God. Grace upon grace. Love incomprehensible. 1. Go and do the same this week... Worship Team Come... There are events in life like rejection by family members, and the death of a friend that are heart breaking. Jesus knows. He relates. He understands exactly what you are going through. Heb 4:15-16 "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. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Prayer is a powerful resource, so use it...you're not alone in this. Let's pray now! Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:56 AM June 8, 2021.