Scripture

About five thousand men were fed that day in addition to all the women and children.

Observation

When Jesus hears the news about John’s death, He goes off to a remote place to be alone. The crowds follow Him, so He has compassion and heals the sick people.

As evening approaches, the disciples tell Jesus, to send the people away so they can go and get food. Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd.

The disciples report that they only have five loaves and two fish. Jesus takes them and gives thanks, then gives it to the disciples to distribute.

Everyone has sufficient. And there are twelve baskets of leftovers.

Five thousand men plus, women and children are fed.

Observation

When God is at work, He takes our meagre resources and turns them into more than enough.

When we are walking in God’s ways, seeking to do His will, there is always enough.

Bills get paid. People get fed. There is enough left over for us to be generous.

People have tried to explain away this miracle. Only Jesus can take one person’s lunch and make it enough to share and have even more left over than what you start with.

The key to the miracle is this: the disciples gave the little they had to Jesus, and then trusted Him to do something with it.

When we surrender what we have and put our trust in Jesus miracles take place.

Prayer

You are a miracle working God, Lord Jesus. Please help me to trust you for every need. Amen

Scripture

Then the king regretted what he had said, but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.

Observation

Herod hears about Jesus and he believes that He must be a resurrected John the Baptist.

John the Baptist had been arrested for speaking out against Herod’s marriage to Herodias, who was the former wife of Herod’s brother.

At a birthday feast for Herod, Herodias’s daughter had pleased Herod with a dance. He offers her anything that she wants as a gift, and she asks for John’s head. So Herod has John beheaded as requested.

Application

Herod was a despotic ruler, but, it is clear in this narrative that he was motivated often by the fear of other people. He had wanted to kill John but was afraid of the reactions of the people. Then he doesn’t want to kill, John, but does so because of the vow he had made in front of his guests.

Fear of other people can motivate us to do things against our will.

People get sucked into groups of nefarious people because they refuse to say No”. Like Herod, many are coerced into acting against what they know to be right.

Politicians act to keep voters happy. Ordinary people may be bullied by employers, family members and friends. Often it is all fear of other people.

We need to stay firm in Christ. His approval. Is the only approval we need. His judgement should be the only judgement we fear.

Prayer

Lord, please rescue me from the fear of men. Grant me the grace to live a life that honours you with no thought to the opinions of others. Amen.