45 Days in the Gospels: Day 6

Matthew 13-14

- Jesus spoke in parables. Well duh, Brent! Of course Jesus spoke in parables, everybody knows that. But the real question is, what were the parables about?

Jesus always spoke about things people knew. His parables were always about farming (which in an agricultural society is very common) and fishing (what jobs did the disciples have?). He would always speak in terms that people understood.

If I were to talk to the teens at church about farming and fishing, they would be completely lost. They don't farm or fish. So, I need to make the Bible parables relevant to their lives.

This is one thing I love about Brad's preaching. He doesn't speak from an ivory tower using big theological words and deep theological ideas. He preaches to us on a level that we can understand.

He makes the Bible relevant in 2009. He brings in real-life examples that helps us to grasp the Bible. This is something I continually learn from him.

- Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. Have you ever noticed this story? We kind of skip over this one, because we don't really get it completely.

The best way to describe it is kind of like a kid who grew up in the 'hood and everybody knew as a gangster. He had a reputation and somehow got out.

He comes back home a couple years later and is a completely changed person. He's no longer a gang member. He's got an education. He has a career. But people still see him as the old troublemaker.

This is what Jesus is dealing with. He grew up as a carpenter's son. He probably didn't go to school. He never did miracles (Wedding at Cana is the first... He is 30). And now Jesus is a huge celebrity who is healing people and preaching.

Everybody thinks He is a fraud or something. And they completely reject Him.

- John the Baptist had a terrible ministry. I know I talked about this just yesterday, but I think it is worth repeating. John's ministry was probably the most "unsuccessful" ministry of all time.

He is born being told he would be the greatest prophet. He is called the 2nd Elijah. He is preparing the way for the Messiah. And how does he spend his life?

John lives in the desert. He where's camel skins as clothes. He apparently eats a lot of locusts. He gets thrown into prison. And he eventually gets beheaded... (more or less) just because some girl is a good dancer.

This isn't the ministry that "the greatest prophet" dreamed of growing up. In fact, very few pastors and ministers today would sign up for that ministry. They would probably rather work at McDonald's than follow God's leading into that ministry.

- You feed them. Jesus has an amazing sense of humor. These disciples were worried about the 5000+ people's well being, so they asked Jesus to send them away to get food.

And what is Jesus' response? "You feed them." So, the disciples get together and quickly realize that they have enough food for 1 maybe 2 people.

I can almost see Jesus laughing as He gives them this task and they start to scramble. They come up with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish (which we find out in John is from a young boy). And Jesus feeds all the people with that little food.

There is an important lesson here. Give Jesus what you have and let Him do His thing. This is a lesson I have learned (and failed to learn) sooo many times in my life. I constantly try to do it on my own.

- Lord, save me! How come every time we preach and read the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water we miss the most important part? We are so enthralled with the fact that they are walking on water that we miss the point.

Jesus did miracles all the time. Peter does miracles all the time (just read Acts). It's not weird that a miracle is happening.

The story here is a story of faith. And a very honest story about faith in God.

We usually get the part of Peter stepping out of the boat. At this point, (I think) Peter is just showing off for the disciples. We all know Peter is the "kiss-up" disciple. He is always the first to open his mouth and is always trying to be "the best disciple."

That is what I think Peter is doing here. And it works... at first. But as Peter starts to look away from Jesus, his faith is gone. He starts to drown. And he yells the 3 most important words ever spoken in Peter's life. "Lord, save me!"

He realized that the only salvation is in Christ. The only salvation is in Jesus. He isn't walking on water on his power. Only Jesus can save him.

Don't miss those three words. And the question is have you ever spoken those three words? And more importantly... and meant them?

I think it is so easy for us to think we are relying on God even though we are relying on our own "goodness." That's what Peter was doing. It wasn't until he realized that he needed Christ that he cried for help.

Have you ever been there? Have you ever come to the place where you NEEDed Jesus? You couldn't do it on your own. You were no longer good enough to make it on your own.