I’m not sure where Jesus was when he heard the news of John’s death, but he left there in a boat…so it must have been along the Sea of Galilee. However, in the last chapter Jesus was last in Nazareth, which is halfway between the Sea of Galilee and the Med.
I only mention it to remind myself that the account as recorded isn’t complete. We know that Jesus did far more than could possibly be recorded. The authors wrote what they felt were the most important events as necessary to help us come to the same conclusion they did…Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God who had come to redeem us from death because of sin.
I only mention it to remind myself that the account as recorded isn’t complete. We know that Jesus did far more than could possibly be recorded. The authors wrote what they felt were the most important events as necessary to help us come to the same conclusion they did…Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God who had come to redeem us from death because of sin.
I need to pay attention to this account in other areas to resolve a question I have. Jesus appears to be on the west side of Galilee when He performs the miracle of the loaves and fish, then He sends the disciples to the “other side” of the lake. The next day they arrive at Genneseret…but that’s on the same side as the miracle occurred. Hmm.
John the Baptist was executed simply to please a young lady, and purely for political reasons. Jesus was clearly distraught upon learning of John’s death, which makes sense since they were cousins…but Jesus also knew that John was now in heaven, so why was he so sad? Probably for the same reason we are sad when someone we love passes away, even when we know that we will see them again. Jesus experienced the same emotions we experience.
John’s death was unnecessary, as far as an execution goes, but his life had served out it’s purpose and the manner of his death only secured him a better reward in heaven. John died a martyr, and I don’t think there is a more noble death than that.
I’ll skip the obvious reflections on the main topics for today, because I know that over the next few days I will be reading them in other areas.
For now, I want to comment on something I just noticed. Jesus worked all day ministering to people when he had expected to be alone in a remote place. The reason there was no food in the area was because Jesus had intentionally picked a place where he could be alone, presumably to pray and grieve the loss of John the Baptist. However, he didn’t get the chance because the crowds showed up before he even reached the shore. Anyway, he worked all day, and then sent his disciples to the other side of the sea (I still can’t reconcile “the other side”) but they were still rowing at 3am. I don’t know what time their day started, but 3am sounds like a long day to me. Jesus had been praying until 3 am, and then walked out on the water toward them. When did these guys sleep? Did they sleep until noon the next day? I would think the crowds would be gathering around them before that. It just seems like an incredible pace to try and keep up with. I wonder if they spent 2-3 days like this and then had several “down” days where they recovered? Or, did God give Jesus and the disciples a special dispensation of energy so they could complete their tasks? After all, we won’t need rest in heaven, and the Kingdom of Heaven begins now.
And if that were true for Jesus, then could the same be true for me today? Is it possible there are times when I “need” rest that God can provide for me supernaturally until the demand has subsided? I haven’t really ever asked for anything like that, but I feel like I experienced it about 2 weeks ago after having an incredible experience in prayer I had energy for a grueling week and didn’t seem to tire at all. I was tired the following week, but by that time the need had passed and I could rest. It makes me wonder, that’s all.
There are some interesting thoughts at the page I linked below. I want to expand on the idea of “crossing to the other side” when I come back to this account in the next couple of days. ( I include the link here for my own reference)
Be blessed,
PR