Matthew 14

Jesus tries to retreat when he hears of his cousin, John's, execution. Crowds follow him. Did you ever wonder why people don't "crowd" him in church? The people in the Bible are hungry and get healed. Do we not expect the same? Have we reduced Jesus to a nice guy to read about but not a Savior?

The large crowd is hungry. Jesus tells his disciples (who are probably stunned) to feed them. The disciples haven't completely bought into Jesus. They think like most people. "We don't have the resources." Jesus knows that that is the wrong questions. God HAS the resources. Ask Him. God leverages what we have.

Jesus does the "take, bless, break, give" action of the Eucharist (communion) in the feeding. God responds. 12 baskets (symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel) are left over. God produces more than enough! Satisfied people are a sign of God power and presence.

The "Jesus Walks on the Water" story can be seen as either a miracle (show off) story or a story with a point or maybe both. Don't write off the story as only a display of Jesus' power. First, Jesus needed to get away to pray. Without him, the disciples grow afraid while at sea. Peter actually trusts Jesus enough to come to him on the water. But, Peter then loses faith and has to be rescued. Every day, we either have faith and trust god or we doubt and trust only ourselves (or our money or family, etc.) Sooner or later, without God, we will sink. Even then, God will rescue if we change our mind and trust in Jesus.

The chapter ends with what we already know. Doubters flounder, "faith-ers" thrive