Matthew 14
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
"Tetrarch" Greek = "governor over 1/4 of a region" "Herod the great" that ruled during the time of Jesus birth, Ref. Matthew 2:1, had five sons. After Herod "the great's" death, that kingdom was split up between the sons.
2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
John the Baptist, this relationship of Herod Antipas, living in a marriage relationship with his brother Philip's wife and its sin. Herod Antipas knew John well.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
John the Baptist was the last prophet before Christ Jesus. Herod Antipas feared an uprising because of John's following.
6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
In his drunken state and lustful thoughts, evil ensues.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
The girl went to her mother, Herodias wanting advice, and her mother told her, "Give me John the Baptist's head in a basket."
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
These evil people didn't care about nothing but sex, getting drunk and self. For sex, he gives her and her mother what they ask. There are many people just like this today, that would do the same things and for less reward in their minds.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Evil
12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Christ cousin John had been murdered for the pleasure of evil.
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.
It's getting late and there isn't anywhere to grab a bite to eat out here in the desert.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
Don't worry about it, feed them.
17 And they say unto Him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
"We don't have enough for all these people"
18 He said, Bring them hither to Me.
God will always take care of our needs. He, you can ALWAYS count on.
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.
Christ is our bread and He keeps on giving when we accept Him.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
All had been fed. Where there is Truth, we will be fed. It's up to each of us to follow Him and accept Him.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
So was probably well over 10,000 souls.
22 And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
Christ shows them His power yet again and then sends them off by themselves. He is preparing them for what is about to happen when He is no longer with them.
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Things are getting bad around them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
This would be 3am to 6am. When trouble is brewing around you and things seem its darkest, Christ will be there if we chose to look. We are talking spiritually of course. He has giving us His Words and power to overcome all things.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.
Don't ask the Lord of something unless you're ready to jump in and do the work. You better make sure you're ready.
29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
His faith and focus was right on The Lord. He could accomplish anything at that moment.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
That flesh got in his mind and he took his eyes off The Lord. When we do that, we sink right back into our old ways and darkness will overtake you.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
When we are ready to look back towards Him, He will be there.
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.
They had seen sign after sign from Christ, yet it took this to truly wake them up. We see them everyday also, yet so many refuse them.
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
They have crossed to the north side of the sea of Galilee.
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto Him all that were diseased;
The word was out, The Word had arrived and so many wanted to be healed.
36 And besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
You can have the same. Some instantaneously and some slowly. It's His will and your faith. †