Matthew 14

The Death of JtB
Sexual sin can destroy lives and corrupt relationships. There, I said it. This is a message that is barely preached in the church and if it is it is in hushed tones. When Christian recovery groups meet we have people dealing with co-dependant or relationship issues, we have people dealing with substance abuse and we have “S.A.” groups. We don’t even use the words “sexual addiction” amongst each other. SSHHHH......that person has “S.A.” issues!! JUST SAY IT......COME ON NOW.....SEXUAL ADDICTION. Sexual sin is a subtle corruptor and destroyer of people and relationships that needs to be talked about openly and honestly.

Here in Matthew 14, JtB called out Herod and spoke clearly the message found in the Law concerning Herod’s lustful relationship with his own brother’s wife. Herod respected JtB enough and knew that any action taken against him may bring trouble to the region because of John’s status as a prophet. However because of his weakness and corruption due to this sexual sin he listened to his adulterous wife and had John arrested. Then after a lap dance from his step-daughter he made a promise to kill John even though he really didn’t want to. His sexual sin blinded him and weakened him and it led to the prophets beheading.

Be careful my brothers and sisters. Sexual sin slinks around behind closed doors. We may think it is not harming anyone but all throughout the Scriptures men and women who where weakened with this character flaw never lived up to their true potential. In time these sexual sins came back to haunt each individual and it ruined not only their lives but the lives of their friends and family as well (think Sampson and David). Paul spends a lot of time writing about the consequences of sexual sin all throughout the NT and we will spend much time deliberating over this in the weeks and months to come.

In Jesus’ Hands, Our Little Becomes a Lot
When Jesus found out about the death of John the Baptist He went to be alone. The scriptures don’t tell us why or what He was doing but we can guess that Jesus went of to pray and to grieve. Even the Maker knew enough to spend quiet time in reflection and meditation each day. We need to take note of this and follow Jesus’ example for dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Jesus didn’t go get some Prosac or lay on a counselors couch to talk through His issues. He went before God and prayed and read His Bible.

Even as Jesus tried to grieve the crowds pursued Him. He found Himself surrounded by 5000+ people and He knew they were getting hungry. He commanded the disciples to feed the masses. They were incredulous and replied that all they could dig up was 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Well, we know how the story ends. Jesus feeds all those people with the small measly contributions that the disciples offered up. A pastor of a church I used to go to once questioned his congregation one Sunday morning, “Isn’t it great that in Jesus’ hands our little becomes a lot?” Isn’t it great indeed!!

Walking on Water
Here again Jesus sneaks off to be alone to pray and recharge His spiritual batteries. Time alone to focus on our tasks and pray is necessary if we are to have any measure of success in this walk of ours. Even Jesus needed to recharge.

In this section the “step of faith” that Peter tries to make might seem silly to us, I know it has to me. I mean come on Pete, you have been with this guy for some time now and you know He is the Messiah, why are you frightened? Why do you scream like a little girl (No offense intended to little girls), “Save me, Lord!” ?

Peter did what we often do. He leaped without looking carefully at the situation. He jumped in with both feet filled with conviction and faith but when things looked harder that they really were his faith and conviction left him. Don’t we often do the same thing? I know I do. I start a project or a ministry or a relationship with the best intentions but when the rubber meets the road sometimes I am left reeling and my faith is shaken. I too cry out, “Save me, Lord!”

It’s easy to mock Peter in this and many of the instances in the Scriptures where he was too brash, to impulsive, and too dimwitted. Just remember that this is the man that Jesus used on the day of Pentecost to reach thousands of people.

If we wait for all our fears to recede before we take a step of faith, we will never make true progress in our walk with Jesus.

Have a great day.

God bless.