Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Matthew 14 authenticates two of Jesus’ major miracles: feeding a crowd of 5,000 and the jaw-dropping image of Jesus and Peter walking on water in the middle of a storm. Since everyone is familiar with both those miracles, we won’t discuss them. We already well know Jesus’ supernatural abilities as God. However, it’s so easy to speed through these stories and miss what’s happening on the human side of things for Jesus.

Today’s reading reports an exceedingly difficult day for Jesus. He just completed an intense tour of sermons, miracles, and defending the faith against doubters, some 64 square miles circling the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was more than a six-hour walk from his home of Nazareth. I’m sure he looked forward to reuniting his three Marys, (his mother, Mary of Bethany, and Mary of Magdalene) who would ensure He would be served excellent meals and get much needed rest (Matthew 13:1-2).

In the distance, He recognizes John the Baptist’s disciples who traveled a 3-days’ walk from Madaba to the Sea of Galilee to deliver the disturbing news that King Herod had beheaded John. King Herod was offended when John told him he had violated Old Testament law when he divorced his wife to marry his brother’s wife. When his niece/stepdaughter, Salome, danced provocatively at his birthday party, the king promised to give her whatever she wanted, and what she wanted was John’s head delivered to her on a platter (Matthew 14:1-11). After John’s disciples buried his body, they made the difficult trip to inform the Messiah.

After hearing this news, Jesus took the loss of his friend personally: John lived a life of sacrifice to prepare disciples for Jesus’ coming. John baptized Jesus. John also collaborated with Jesus in His ministry. Amid his exhaustion and personal grief, Jesus sought isolation (Matthew 14:13-14). We all can appreciate the need to be alone with our thoughts when we have lost a loved one in death. However, Jesus was not able to be alone because the crowds who traveled from Nazareth, Capernaum, and Tiberus numbered to 5,000 to hear his message of hope and receive a miracle. Jesus felt “profound compassion” for them. Rather than insist on time to Himself, He allows the interruption, and teaches His disciples to have the same compassion by feeding them (Matthew 14:15-21).

After placing the needs of the crowds first, Jesus directs the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Meanwhile, He sent the crowds away, so he could retreat to the mountain to pray and have the time alone that He desired. The very moment Jesus dismisses the crowd and finds a quiet spot on the mountain to pray, He can see the boat in the distance tossed about by violent winds. Once again, Jesus is interrupted (Matthew 14: 22-24). At the final watch (between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.), Jesus arrives to save them.

Jesus was compassionate to the needs of others, but the most important lesson to take away from this is that Jesus allowed for interruptions. He teaches us to be prepared for holy interruptions.

Holy interruptions are those beautiful moments when we personally encounter God. With these interruptions, we stop what we are doing and adjust to the interruption. The Bible says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” God has a habit of interrupting (Proverbs 19:21).

When God interrupts, it often leads to enormous changes and adjustments in your life. Just as those mentioned in the Bible, we discover that whatever sacrifices we make to adjust to God’s interruption prove to be well worth the cost.

Reflection:

• As you redeem this time for prayer and alone time with God, ask God to interrupt any complacency in your relationship and guide you through the adjustment, and necessary sacrifices as we are called to a higher purpose.
• Prayer: Holy Father, come. I invite You to interrupt my well-laid plans for your purpose. Help me to adjust and make any needed sacrifices as I fulfill your assignment for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Family Application: Matthew 14

Author: Cooper Herrington

Remember yesterday when we read about the mustard seed? We said that small acts can turn into big impacts with God. Today we are going to read a story that shows how a small act can have a huge impact. Jesus was teaching again. This time Jesus was teaching to a massive crowd. There were 5,000 men there and about 15,000 women and children. The people had been hearing Jesus teach for a little while, and now everyone was hungry with nowhere to get food. The only food they had was from one little boy who had five loaves of bread and two fish. The boy was willing to give up his food to help feed others. This was a small act, but then Jesus did something incredible.

Jesus took the small act and something big happened. Jesus used the five loaves of bread and two fish, and there was enough for every single person to eat. There was so much food that there were even leftovers. Jesus performed a miracle.

• Can you imagine being there on the day that Jesus fed the people? What do you think it looked like, smelled like, and sounded like?
• The young boy gave up his food so that others could eat. What is a small act that you can do today? You might have to give something up so that others can be blessed. It might be hard, but it is so worth it. God wants us to be generous with what He has given us.
• Prayer: God, You are good. You are God alone. Thank You for taking something small and performing a miracle. God, You are powerful. You are wonderful. You are love. Help me tell others about You. Amen.