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Luke 9:7-9; Mark 6:14-29; Matthew 14:1-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15; Mark 6:45-52; Matthew 14:22-33; John 6:16-21; Mark 6:53-56; Matthew 14:34-36<\/strong><\/span> Matthew:<\/strong> Today we read about the beheading of John the Baptist.\u00a0 I found this painting below by the Italian artist Caravaggio from the year 1610 titled \u201cSalome with the Head of St. John the Baptist.\u201d\u00a0 I almost hesitated to post this painting up, but I think it\u2019s worth us considering.\u00a0 This is what happened to the man who proclaimed Jesus\u2019 ministry was coming.\u00a0 This is what happened to the man who baptized Jesus in the Jordan.\u00a0 And of course this brutality pales in comparison to what Jesus went through on the road to Golgotha.\u00a0 This painting below and thinking about Jesus\u2019 passion, suffering, and death just made me think that sometimes following God does not lead strictly to \u201chealth and wealth.\u201d\u00a0 But sometimes truly following God leads to suffering and poverty.\u00a0 But \u2013 and here\u2019s the key but \u2013 it also leads to eternal life!\u00a0 So, no, perhaps many\/most\/all of us will not go through what John went through in today\u2019s readings or in this painting below.\u00a0 But you know what, if we are truly following God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I think we need to realize that this type of thing can happen.\u00a0 But if this type of thing happens while pursuing and loving Jesus with all that you are, then it\u2019s of course worth it because Jesus will raise you up on the other side!<\/span> In Matthew chapter 14 today we read about two miracles \u2013 Jesus feeding the 5,000 (or really 10,000 to 15,000 counting men, women & children \u2013 Matthew just counted men, as his Gospel was written to a Jewish audience, which had men eat separately from women and children at that time\/place) and Jesus walking on water.\u00a0 While these 2 miracles are amazing and again confirming that Jesus is God \u2013 a couple of other things stood out me.\u00a0 First was verse 23: \u201cAfterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 If Jesus did this \u2013 do you think we should do the same?\u00a0 \u00a0How often do we get away from the \u201ccrowds\u201d or even the \u201cdisciples\u201d or loved ones in our life to be by ourselves and pray?\u00a0 Do you do this at least for a few minutes each day?\u00a0 Do you do this for longer periods of time too?\u00a0 <\/span> Verses 29 & 30 also stood out to me today: \u201cAll right, come,\u201d Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. \u201cSave me, Lord!\u201d he shouted.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 These verses made me wonder in our own lives \u2013 Are there times or areas our lives where Jesus has said, \u201cCome\u201d, and we\u2019ve moved forward in faith.\u00a0 But then \u2013 the waves came\u2026 the challenges came\u2026 the doubts came\u2026 the insults came\u2026. and we started to waver in our faith?\u00a0 Maybe we got scared \u2013 and started to sink?\u00a0 Well \u2013 I do admire that Peter did cry out to Jesus to save him in this situation \u2013 and we then get the reassuring verse 31: \u201cInstantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>If you feel like there are some areas in your life where you are sinking \u2013 will you cry out to Jesus to save you?\u00a0 Do you believe he will instantly reach out his hand and grab you?<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Matthew chapter 14 titled \u201cThe Feeding of the Five Thousand\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Mark:<\/strong> Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 46: \u201cAfterward he (Jesus) went up into the hills by himself to pray.\u201d <\/em>What a beautiful verse for each of us to meditate upon! Jesus went by himself to pray to God. It is interesting to note that this took place just after Jesus fed the 5,000. Jesus had been working hard \u2013 he is God and yet he still felt the call to pray to the Father. I think this verse is such a great reminder that you and I need to follow Jesus\u2019 example in this verse. And we\u2019re so not God! \ud83d\ude42 So, think about how much more crucial it is for us to pray. Jesus knew that God was his source of strength. His comfort. His wisdom. And prayer was the one sure fire way for Jesus to really connect and spend time with God. How is your prayer life these days? Are you finding a good amount of time each day to be by yourself and pray? If not, can you schedule this time into your calendar each day?<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in Mark 6 about Jesus praying and Psalm 40 about David praying reminded me of the Casting Crowns song \u201cWhat If His People Prayed.\u201d Here\u2019s a great live version:<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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