What Jesus Did : Matthew 14:22-23 - No Neglect

    by Phil Ware

    No Neglect - Matthew 14:22-23

    Then Jesus made the followers get into the boat. Jesus told them to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus said that he would come later. Jesus stayed there to tell the people they could go home. After Jesus said good-bye to the people, he went up into the hills. Jesus went there alone to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone. (ERV) Full Text

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    Key Thought

    For me, two convictions come out of Jesus' actions:
    —Jesus is compassionate to the end!
    —Jesus may have put off his time with the Father, but he didn't neglect it!
    Let me explain. While grieving the loss of John the Baptist, Jesus ministered to the crowd and also to his disciples. Jesus took care of the crowd so he could send the disciples away on ahead of him. Then Jesus entered into his time of prayer in a place away from the crowds and in the presence of his Father.
    Both his caring for the crowds and his disciples as well as his time alone with God are important reminders to me. In my grief and heartbreak, I need to remember others and not wallow in my own self-pity. But helping others must not be an escape from spending time with God. Only time with the Father truly renews, restores, and revitalizes.


    Today's Prayer

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    Holy God, I confess that I cannot bear under the load of life without your help and support. Thank you for supplying me with power to deal with difficult times in ways which honored you and blessed others. Thank you for never forsaking me. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.


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    Today's Verses in Context


    Then Jesus made the followers get into the boat. He told them to go to the other side of the lake. He said he would come later. He stayed there to tell everyone they could go home. After Jesus said goodbye to the people, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. It was late, and he was there alone. By this time the boat was already a long way from shore. Since the wind was blowing against it, the boat was having trouble because of the waves.

    Between three and six o'clock in the morning, Jesus' followers were still in the boat. Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, it scared them. "It's a ghost!" they said, screaming in fear.

    But Jesus quickly spoke to them. He said, "Don't worry! It's me! Don't be afraid."

    Peter said, "Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water."

    Jesus said, "Come, Peter."

    Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, "Lord, save me!"

    Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. He said, "Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?"

    After Peter and Jesus were in the boat, the wind stopped. Then the followers in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "You really are the Son of God."

    -- Matthew Matthew 14:22-36 (ERV)

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