The Collect
O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings:
Psalm 50
Ecclesiastes 3:16–4:3
Gospel: Matthew 14:13–21
13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Commentary:
In reading this section of the Gospel according to Matthew, we find a sort of tapestry, woven in such a way as to illustrate the differences between real kingship and that of interlopers installed on a throne, as well as a picture that illustrates the power of faith.
At the end of chapter thirteen, we read the account of Jesus returning to what was more or less his home town, Nazareth, and there he was rejected.
In our bible study for this past Tuesday, we explored the last verse of chapter 13:
“And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Mt. 13:58)
We noted that it would be a mistake to read verse 58 and come away with the idea that Jesus could not do mighty works there—in Nazareth—due to their disbelief, as later in this Gospel, Matthew wrote:
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Mt. 19:26)
We pointed out that, Matthew Henry the seventeenth theologian, opined on verse 58; “So that if mighty works be not wrought in us, it is not for want of power or grace in Christ, but for want of faith in us.”
Now here in chapter 14 we see this opinion of Henry’s illuminated in that a great multitude—one said to number 5000 men along with women and children—through an act of great faith, followed Jesus out into the wilderness, where as Matthew writes:
“When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” (vs. 13-14)
While the people of Nazareth, those who had known him as a child and his family, rejected him and he chose not to do great works, here we find over 5000 whose faith was so great that they walked a great distance out into the middle of nowhere to hear him teach and to have their sick and infirm healed.
What a contrast, those who had known him rejected him, while strangers went to great lengths—showing their faith in him—to follow him. As Henry wrote, those in Nazareth failed to receive the ministrations of Jesus, not because their lack of faith prevented him from working miracles, but because of their lack of faith he chose not to do so, giving them opportunity to reflect and experience a change of heart. While he demonstrated great compassion of those who had followed him to this remote place, and he rewarded their faith with healings and miracles.
Now to explain our hypothesis that these verses not only expose the contrast between those in Nazareth who rejected him and that of the great faith of those that followed him to the remote region, but the difference between a would be king versus a real king, we look at the reason for the first few words of verse 13.
“When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence…” What was it that he had heard of? It was the news that Herod Antipas, the puppet king installed by the Romans, had ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. This so called king, who in a drunken stupor, watched his step daughter dance—presumably his niece as he had married his brother’s wife—in his drunkenness finding her desirable, he offered her anything she wanted in return for her favors. The young woman not knowing what to do went to her Mother who told her to ask for John’s head. Without going into any more lurid details, we can see the quality and nature of the so called king and those around him.
Consider the contrast between Herod Antipas the puppet king, and the Godly King Jesus Christ, who went into the wilderness to contemplate on the loss of his relative, John the Baptist, and there was so moved by the faith of those who had gone to such great lengths to come to him, that he set his sorrow for his loss aside to heal them and then to feed them by turning “five loaves, and two fishes” (v. 17) into such a sufficient amount to feed a huge multitude.
“And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.” (vs. 17-21)
Herod Antipas holds court feeding himself and a few of his closest advisers and entourage, getting drunk and lusting after his own stepdaughter; while Jesus “holds court” in the wilderness, demonstrating his kingly compassion for the people, healing the sick and feeding over 5000 people.
That is a contrast worthy of our note.
Benediction
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thought for the Day:
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers
Bible Studies From The Daily Office, is an outreach ministry designed to encourage the viewer to read one Old Testament or Epistle, a Psalm, and a Gospel selection everyday. Following each Gospel reading is a commentary designed to help the reader understand the traditional meaning of God’s Holy Word.
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