ALL NEEDS MET

As I studied Matthew Chapter 14, I thought of the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. I came to realize what a very long day He had in that chapter and how He dealt with the issues that arose. The day pretty much began with the news of His friend John's beheading by Herod the tetrarch. It tells us in verse 13 that, "When Jesus heard of it, He departed thence by ship into a desert place apart." I interpret His actions to be that He needed to get alone (or try) and process this heartbreak. Then began the healing of some 5,000 people, or at the very least, 2,000 of that number (as stated in verse 21). Then, the disciples suggest to Him that He end the day's activities because, "the time is now past," verse 15. But instead, Jesus differs with them and suggests that they feed the people with their own food supply. In verse 19 "...He blessed , and break, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude." That's 5,000 people. Stop a moment and imagine that many. Now remember, in verse 14, "...He saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." So, now He's spent the time it took to heal the multitudes one by one, and feed them one by one. Finally, it tells us in verse 23, "He went up into a mountain apart to pray." So, now He's climbed a mountain. Mind you, that strength and energy comes from somewhere other than within Himself. I gave thought to the time it took to heal that many, then to feed that many, and all with the heavy heart of losing a friend and a brother. Fast forward and it says in verse 25, "In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them (disciples)..." I figure the fourth watch to be around 3-6 a.m. Now, He's confronted with the ship's dilemma as it's being "..tossed with waves for the wind was contrary," verse 24. This is where I got the revelation of it all. The needs. The people and their needs and how He met them all, where they were, in the middle of the needs each had. There wasn't a "meeting place" or a special building. He was in the midst of it all as it happens and where it happens. Isn't that just like life? I don't wait until Sunday to have a dilemma so He can meet me there and resolve it. Or Saturday, whichever you prefer. So, in this chapter I count 3 obvious needs. Healing, hunger, deliverance. But there's underlying needs such as comfort, rest, peace of mind, the gift of love. To name a few. I like when the disciples tell Him to end His activities with the people so, "they can go into the villages and buy themselves victuals (supplies or food)" verse 15. However, Jesus insists on meeting their needs with His own supply. Note: Verse 20 says, "They did all eat and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained 12 baskets full." More than enough, as it says in Ephesians 3:20, "...Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,..." What about the desperation and fear that Peter experiences as he began to sink from the surface of the water, which only happened when he took his eyes off of Jesus and began seeing the storm around him. This symbolizes us in this life. When we take our eyes off of Christ, we begin to sink. Notice however what Jesus did when Peter begins to cry out for Jesus to help him. Peter says, "Lord, save me," verse 30. It says, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him..." verse 31. Hallelujah!!!! If you cry out to Him today, now...expect the strongest hand to grab hold of your life and pull you from the dangerous waves. You'll find the prayer at the end of this page. I hope you'll go.