22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
REFLECTION
Events moved rapidly. John the Baptist was beheaded. Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 and walked on water. But official hostility grew.
Why do you think Jesus invited Peter (and us) to step out onto the water? When did Peter begin to sink? Why then and not earlier?
When are you most tempted to take your eyes off the Lord and to sink in doubt?
In verse 33 the disciples worship Jesus and declare, “Truly you are the Son of God.” What do you see in this incident that leads you to worship Jesus?
How can these things help you to trust Jesus the next time you are tempted to doubt?
Prayer & Journaling:
On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”……
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
REFLECTION
Jesus told a series of parables to the puzzled crowds, and in another series, He told to His disciples. Jesus explained the unexpected aspects of His kingdom.
This parable makes clear that reception of the gospel depends on the soil, i.e. the condition of the recipient. In this parable, the seed and the sower are the same in each case, but the soil varies. There are many who do not respond favourably to Jesus’ message, but the few who did produced remarkable fruit.
What kinds of worries have potential to choke your growth in Christ? How can you free your life from these “thorns”?
What helps a believer to have deep “roots” which prevent one from falling away? What gives you root?
What “crop” does Jesus want believers to yield? How would you increase your “crop productivity”?
Prayer & Journaling:
On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
REFLECTION
As it became increasingly clear that one must choose for or against Jesus, opposition to Him and to His kingdom hardened. Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath and the Servant predicted by Isaiah. This brought direct conflict with the Pharisees.
Jesus didn’t have a smooth ministry. In fact, he met a lot of opposition. Jesus responded to the hostility by simply asking those healed not to tell who he was (v16) and leaving the area. Why?
Matthew explained by quoting a passage from one of Isaiah’s “servant songs” (Is 42: 1-9). Messiah “will not quarrel or cry out”. He will be so gentle that He will not even snap a worthless reed flute, or discard a soot-filled candle wick.
Continue concentrate on your Lord Saviour and get to know Him deeper by reflecting on the characteristics listed in the passage. Praise and thank Him for His humility and gentleness and also the wonderful work He’s done in your life.
Prayer & Journaling:
On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
