Day 290 – Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9

Talking Points

• When Jesus went to His hometown preaching the gospel and performing several confirming miracles, the Bible records that “He wondered at their unbelief” (Mark 6:6). The Greek word used for “wondered” means to be amazed or negatively astonished. It seems even Jesus was amazed at the hardness of people’s hearts and their unwillingness to believe.
• Jesus had been proclaiming He is the Messiah with great certainty. He had performed many miracles to remove any doubt. Part of the purpose was to give His chosen disciples needed confidence in His claims. Peter, pushed by Jesus for a response as to His identity, announced that Jesus is “the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). That declaration is the profound revelation of Jesus. He is everything to us — Savior, King, and Lord — because He is the Christ of God!
• Jesus outlined the terms of discipleship:
  1. A would-be disciple will die to self. Pride, self-service, and self-direction must all be surrendered.
  2. A would-be disciple must commit with their life. It is not only a willingness to die for the cause, but, more necessary, a total commitment to live for it.
  3. A would-be disciple will follow Him. Jesus sets the course and dictates the steps of life.
  True discipleship is not a light or easy thing.
• In a world set on exalting the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), Jesus told us the terms of true greatness. It’s another time He turns everything on its ear — To be great, we must become least! It doesn’t mean in rank, in importance, or in skill, but in the self-imposed, humble service of others. And, as in all things, our great and humble Savior leads us by His example.

Thoughts

My favorite result of time spent in God’s Word is an ever-developing understanding of our Savior, Jesus, and how profoundly wonderful and magnificent and glorious He truly is! In just today’s reading, we see He is powerful — able to do unthinkable miracles. We see He is the Promise of God — spoken of all through Scripture. We see He is wise — far wiser than our comprehension can stretch (though it is fun to try). And, today, we see something else, too. Our powerful, wise, glorious Savior is compassionate. Oh, so compassionate.

As we read of His feeding the great multitude, if we slow down and remember the context, we find Jesus is tired. We see He is hurting, having just received news that His cousin John has been executed. He has sought out solitude, only to have it interrupted by an intrusive and restless crowd. And, it is then the Gospels record that Jesus is moved into caring for the people in great “compassion” (Mark 6:34). The word means He was moved in love, affection and pity. Jesus, though tired and hurting, feels for the people. He loves the people. And, the King of kings takes a couple of fish and some simple loaves of bread and feeds those He loves. Our God is miraculous — yes! But, He is kind as well. Praise Jesus, our compassionate King!