Scripture

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her,“your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Observation

A gentile woman comes to Jesus, begging him to heal her demon possessed daughter. Jesus gives her no reply, and the disciples urge Jesus to send her away.

Jesus tells her that He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel and that it’s not right to take the children’s food to feed the dogs.

The woman replies that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.

Jesus is impressed by her faith and declares that her daughter is healed.

Application

Jesus has a way of drawing faith from people. Here, He seems to be ignoring the woman and then, when He does speak to her, it seems that He is pushing her away.

But what He is really doing is causing her to press in more and to express that seed of faith more determinedly.

In the end, Jesus heals the girl, but tell her that her faith is great.

Unlike the disciples who have little faith, or faith as small as a mustard seed, this gentile woman has great faith.

While it is impossible for us to measure faith, God obviously can. We can have a little faith, a measure of faith, great faith.

The issue is this: how much can I trust God for? Am I willing to yield my family, my job, my house, my possessions over to God and trust Him for the result?

Prayer

Lord, I believe you. I trust you. Please help me to grow to great faith. Amen

Scripture

” Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak are from the heart – that is what defiles you.”

Observation

Some Pharisees and teachers of the law come to Jesus and ask why he violates their traditions regarding hand washing before eating. Jesus turns the question back on them. While the law teaches us to honour our parents, they teach that they can sidestep the law by offering to the priests what they would have given to the parents .

Jesus then tells that it is not what goes into their mouths that makes them unclean, but what comes out of their mouths. What we eat passes through our body, but the words that come from our mouths reveal what is in the heart. and those sinful words and thoughts lead to a catalogue of sin .

Application

The words that we speak reveal what is in our hearts. We can do all kinds of religious activities, but if our hearts remain unclean, then we are not acceptable to God.

There are many people in churches who have not given their hearts to the Lord. There are many pastors who have never surrendered to God.

It doesn’t matter how good you are on the outside, it is the state of your heart that God looks at.

Our words will indicate where our heart is at. In that sense, our words render us unclean before the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, please cleanse my heart from every sinful desire or tendency. I surrender my life to you. Make of me what you desire. Amen.

Scripture

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid”, he said. “Take courage. I am here.”

Observation

Jesus sends the disciples back across the lake in a boat. Jesus goes up to the hills to pray.

A strong wind arises on the lake, and the disciples are afraid. About 3 o’clock in the morning, they see Jesus walking on the water towards them.

Jesus calls to them to reassure them that He is not a ghost. Peter calls to him,“Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

So Peter walks to Jesus on the water. When they get back in the boat, the storm calms.

Application

In the gospels, boats can often be seen as a symbol of the church. Here, the boat is being assaulted from every direction by wind and waves. To get to Jesus, Peter does something brave and unexpected – he leaves the safety of the boat and steps into the storm.

Sometimes, to find Jesus we have to temporarily leave our comfortable safe place, to go in faith to be with Him.

The test that Peter put out is brave. “Lord, if it is really you command me to come and walk on the water.”

Traditionally, we use safe tests of God’s will. But here, Peter lays his life on the line to know Jesus.

Finally, we have the words of Jesus: “Take courage. I am here.”

Whenever we are afraid or feeling under great pressure, we need to listen to Jesus. Peace comes from hearing the voice of the Lord.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you meet us in stormy places, in scary places. Please help me to look to you, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Scripture

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up towards heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.

Observation

When Jesus hears the news about John the Baptist’s death, he crosses the lake in a boat to be alone. But a huge crowd follows him on foot. Jesus is full of compassion so he heals their sick.

The disciples become concerned about feeding the people. They tell Jesus to send them away so they can buy food. But Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people.

Jesus takes five loaves and two fish; He blesses them and breaks them before passing them to the disciples to distribute.

Everyone has enough to eat and there is far more left over than they started with.

Application

I am fascinated by this story of God’s provision for people. They had just one boy’s lunch, and Jesus gave them enough to eat – 5000 men plus women and children- and an abundance of leftovers.

In my experience, God is not stingy in his provision. When we focus on serving Him and obeying His word, He gives us more than enough. I have experienced this for many years. There have been times where we have had just enough, but there have been times when we have had an abundance. Even in the tough times, we always managed to be generous to others and tithe to our oversight We used to say that if you kept the money moving fast enough, you never noticed that there was not enough to go around

God is mighty in provision

Prayer

Thank you Lord for providing not just what I need, but enough to share with others as well. Amen.