Verses 1-12
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Verse 4. Speaking against sin will create enemies, but it's still necessary. Don't hesitate to expose sinful behaviors if necessary.
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Verse 9. Herod's rash promise led to the death of John.
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Be careful what you promise! (Proverbs 6:2).
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Verses 13-21
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Notice that Jesus went to be alone to pray, but when the crowds found Him, He was willing still to help them, though He was interrupted.
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Even when you seek personal leisure or "me time", be willing to be interrupted. Grow in serving by embracing chances to help others especially when it is unfavorable timing or inconvenient.
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Verses 13-14. Understand that compassion will bring many great works into your life. If you feel compassion for a person, take it as a sign that you must act!
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Verses 17-20. Even though they had little food on hand, Jesus could multiply it.
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Don't disqualify yourself from helping because you think you have little to contribute. Be faithful to use what you have, and God will make it effective.
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Verses 22-23
- In verses 13-14, Jesus first departs to be alone and pray. Yet when the crowds interrupt Him, He does not guard His schedule — He serves them. After ministering, He sends the crowds away and returns to finish His time with the Father (verses 22-23). The lesson is clear: protect your prayer time, not your routine.
- We must be aggressive about daily time in prayer and the Word, but not rigid about when it happens. If we protect a time slot more than communion with God, we are guarding a routine, not relationship. Love may interrupt our schedule — and that is not a failure.
- Our attitude should be: I will help anytime, anywhere — and I will still meet with God today, even if it costs me extra effort. That may mean waking earlier or staying up later. The goal is not the same hour every day. The goal is that it happens every day.
Verses 24-33
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By faith in Jesus word, Peter was able to do what Jesus did. Understand that we can also do the works that Jesus did (John 14:12). How? By faith.
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Peter began in faith, and walked on water! But he began to sink when he averted his focus to the troubled sea rather that keeping his focus on Jesus.
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You can start in faith but be weakened, and become afraid, if you start focusing on the problems around you.
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Weak faith is faith that wanes. You will help your faith if you keep focused on the Word and prayer!
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Verses 34-36
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People believed that they would receive healing if they only touched His clothing, and so it happened. When people believe and expect, miraculous things happen!
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Don't place limitations in your mind about what God will do. Remember that all things are possible if we would simply be willing to believe for them!
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