Matt. 14:1-12 – We live in a culture and country where dying for our beliefs in Christ would be almost unheard of at this time. But this does not mean I should not be ready to give my life for the Master. There are so many other countries in the world where martyrdom is common. We should always be praying for these martyrs and their families. They are our brothers and sisters. We need to work hard not to feel immune to their sufferings.
Matt. 14:13 –I love these little moments in scripture where we see the humanity of Jesus. Notice that Jesus needed some “alone time,” even from His disciples, to contemplate the death of John. We all need time alone, when we can tell our deepest needs and concerns to our Father and when we can recalibrate our thoughts. These “sabbath” times are important to our emotional and spiritual health.
Matt. 14:14 – It was Jesus’ compassion for the people that made Him so different from the other religious leaders of the day. No disciple is truly ready for the work of making other disciples unless he/she has developed the compassionate spirit our Master had.
Matt. 14:34-36 – I cannot imagine possessing the power to heal sick people by just the touch of my clothes! I sometimes wonder if Jesus tired of being pressed upon by the people so much, but, after suffering through the trials I have experienced this past year, I get why Jesus never turned away people who were suffering. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23 Jesus never failed those who were suffering because His compassion never fails. How beautiful is that!