October 17, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Matthew 14 - Detail is given regarding the circumstances leading up to the beheading of John the Baptist.  It was after Jesus heard about this that He would feed the 5,000.  Remember, that number was just the men, verse 21!  There were many women and children besides.  When the disciples left on a boat Jesus would meet them, "walking on the water" verse 26.  Matthew records the request of Peter to be able to walk on the water to Jesus, verse 29.  Though many people question why Peter would be fearful verse 30, just remember, all the rest of the disciples didn't even try!

Mark 6 - Jesus visited the town of Nazareth where He grew up.  Though He preached to them and they knew of His miracles, they still didn't believe in Him, verse 6.  Mark also records the death of John the Baptist and the Feeding of the 5,000.  Please note that Jesus took time to be alone to pray, verse 46.  I've often said that if our Savior thought it was important for Him to pray why should we think it isn't that important to us?  Oh yes, we say it is important, but our actions say otherwise.

Luke 9:1-17 - In this portion of Luke 9, Jesus sends His disciples out to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, verse 2, and to heal the sick and cast out demons.  Then Luke records the Feeding of the 5,000 as well.  (It might be helpful to consider why Jesus had the disciples witness this miracle.  In Acts 4:4 the number of new believers in the early Church grew to 5,000!  The disciples would have the responsibility of feeding the Bread of Life to these).