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If this is the first page you clicked on check back to the first day of the ninety-two day chronological reading plan of the New Testament. "DAY ONE" If you want the whole plan day by day and not wait find it here at Shalom in the wilderness.

Day Seventeen: Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9:1-17

There are a couple reoccurring themes in the reading today through out each gospel. We are at the point in the gospel that John the baptist loses his life because of a request of the daughter of Herodias after the daughter seductively danced and pleased Herod on his birthday. This story is so disturbing on so many levels. Why is a young girl forced to dance for an old king and why would her mother want a head on a platter. Herod wanted to have John killed but instead he pretty much kept him locked up to keep him off the streets because he feared him, his righteousness and what the people would do since they knew he was a prophet. Herod knew John was holy and I think he came to terms with his hate in a way to know that he would protect him not to kill him and keep him locked away. The wife of Philip, Herod's brother, had a grudge because John called Herod out from lust and coveting her. Herod actually did like to listen to John, although he didn't understand him. Well it turns out if John wasn't in prison he probably would have been preaching in another land but I guess he was not supposed to have a long life of prophesy after meeting Jesus. Through someone else's hatred other then Herod's, John's life was taken but the blood is on his hands as well since he gave in to the request with out a fight because he had guests. I mean really, how barbaric of course I do not think these times are so different in some cases. When Herod heard of Jesus coming he was spooked because he thought it was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Even though I think John's life was taken before his time we all know he fulfilled his calling of setting the way for the Lord therefore God knew that this was the number of his days.
Matthew 14:

 2 and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."  

12 John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Mark 6:

15 Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."

Through ministering Jesus gains quite the following with his style and healing of the sick and preaching in preparation of the Kingdom of Heaven. They drew near to a town called Bethsaida and there so many people gathered and followed him to the point where they were far from home coming and going from many places. They didn't eat for that day and Jesus had compassion that he wanted to host and serve them.  The disciples came to Jesus with the concern that they should tell everyone to go gather food but Jesus told them to feed the flock.This is where the amazing miracle of feeding the five thousand not including women and children. This seems so unbelievable yet by faith we know in our hearts that it is possible through God. Jesus blessed and raised to heaven the basket of food he did have and divided among all of them and they were satisfied. Comparing to Israel in the wilderness with Moses and God feeding them all manna we know based on history God will provided all that we need plentifully through faith in him.

 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.42 They all ate and were satisfied

Another great phenomenon happens in this reading and that is the miracle of Jesus walking on water and leading Peter to do so as well. After a long day of teaching and healing he sends the disciples ahead of him in the boat and he went to pray alone. After he was finished he went to the disciples by way of the water and saw that the disciples struggled against the wind. Obviously it would be pretty scary to be out in the middle of the lake and see a man walking towards you knowing there was no land. The disciples were in shock and of coarse Peter the doubter wants in on it and asks to be called out on the water. Their hearts were hardened with not understanding the miracles they just saw of the feeding of the five thousand. It reminds me of the old testament and all the doubt and hard hearts where they wanted to see it and they believed while the miracle was happening and quickly their hearts turned until God would do something to show them he was there again. It seems to be an on going cycle of test of faith for them...they lack faith because their hearts require proof and the lack of understanding shows that they will take all they can get yet do not receive it.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"