Jesus Rejected in Nazareth
Jesus was rejected in His own hometown in Nazareth. Their unbelief stopped the flow of healing virtue because they considered Jesus as just a common inhabitant of the town who was common just like them. They could not accept His wisdom and power because they were so familiar with Him, having watched Him grow up in the community.
Jesus Sends out the Twelve Apostles
Jesus gave His 12 disciples power over unclean spirits. Its very interesting how this is placed in the text so abruptly given its importance. Also, Jesus instructed them not to take anything with them as they went. This is so very profound. He sent them two by two in order that they may have a witness, for by the witness of two or three shall a matter be established according to Deuteronomy 19:15. They not only cast out demons, they preached repentance and performed miracles. The fact that the disciples had the same authority Jesus had gives the idea that we today as Christ followers are no exception when it comes to walking in the power that comes with the authority of Jesus. This brings to mind that we should evaluate our current state as we’re walking in Christ today. What are we doing to carry the authority of Jesus so that it manifests to the world around us? Are we content to simply attend Church meetings and not go out into our own communities to witness to others?
Death of John the Baptist
Like John who preached righteousness, he was persecuted to the point of death. It is through much persecution that we enter into the Kingdom according to Acts 14:22, but the one who endures even death for Jesus will obtain riches in heaven and a victors crown of Life just as Jesus encouraged the persecuted Church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8.
John publicly rebuked Herod who took his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias as his own wife. Simply because John did not relent to promote righteousness, he was thrown into prison as an act of protection by Herod because he thought John was a righteous and holy man. But Herodias was extremely vengeful and wanted him killed and she found the opportunity when Herod asked her daughter, who had danced before him, such an act moving him to vow to give her anything she wanted.
The daughter or Herodias asked for counsel from her mother as to what to ask for. It was in the daughter’s power to choose on her own, yet it seemed she had such a tie to her mother that it led her to sin and further become an accomplice to murder. Her actions should teach us to be leary of the influence that people have on us. Herod liked John the Baptizer, yet because of his vow and the people who were witness of the vow, he had to agree to murder John, just to save face and appease his followers.
Jesus Multiplies Food to Feed Five Thousand
Jesus wanted to be alone with His disciples so that He could simply share a meal with them. Sometimes we have to go away to a different place or break up our normal routine to find something different. However, so, many people were following Jesus and His disciples and Jesus was moved with compassion and taught them. As it was getting late, the disciples urged Jesus to send the people home to buy food, yet Jesus challenged them to get the people food. He simply asked how much food they had. Five loaves and 2 fish fed a crowd of thousands as Jesus broke the bread and the fish, giving thanks to God for it, as it multiplied over and over again to feed them all.
Jesus Walks on Water
While the disciples were rowing against a raging storm, Jesus, having seen them struggling, came walking on the waters of the storm and He would have passed them by in the ship, had they not noticed Him. This is key. Jesus saw them struggling and could very well have stopped the storm by His own power. Why did Jesus will to keep walking past them and why didn’t he stopped the storm to alleviate their toil? He wanted them to realize the power they had to overcome their fear and even calm the storm themselves. The disciples were afraid because as they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought He was a ghost. Jesus came into the boat and the storm was instantly calmed. The disciples had missed all the lessons of the previous miracles of multiplication of food and the very power He had only just given them to cast out demons and heal the sick. They had even had a very similar experience to this one in a storm in Mark 4:35-41. They were in a tumultuous storm on the lake, but Jesus was sound asleep in the stern of the boat. He simply said to the storm, “peace, be still.” Then He turned to them and said they were gripped so much by fear that they had not yet learned to trust. Neither had they learned then nor had they learned in this instance when they saw Him walking on the water. Their hearts were hard. The scripture says they were “toiling in rowing.” We can often be doing this in our own lives by striving and trying to make things happen of our own power and accord when all we have to do is call on Jesus.
Summary
- Don’t allow the storms in life to blind you to seeing Jesus Christ
- There is a lesson in the miracle, 48-52
- You are qualified by Christ, not the world’s credentials, 2-3, 7
- Be faithful, even unto death, 27
- Be careful of whom you allow yourself to be influenced by, 24-26
- Unbelief kills the anointing, 4-6
- Count the cost of your promises
- Christ will answer your needs both natural and spiritual, 34-42
- Let your compassion move you to action, 34
- Walk in your purpose no matter the cost, 18-19
