Matthew 14: Son of God (7)
Pray Psalm 132.6, 7.
Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
We found it in the fields of the woods.
Let us go into His tabernacle;
Let us worship at His footstool.
Sing Psalm 132.6, 7.
Finlandia: Be Still My Soul
The word throughout the chosen nation spread,
to Ephrata, and in the fields of Jaar:
“Now let us go,” the faithful people said,
“and worship where our Savior’s dwellings are!
Around His footstool let our worship spread.
Come, gather to Him, all from near and far!”
Read Matthew 14.1-36; meditate on Herod as king nds Jesus as King.
What differences do you see? Which would you want to rule your life?
Prepare.
1. Which two kings are in view in this chapter? In what ways do they differ?
2. Over how much does Jesus rule as King?
Meditate.
Matthew 14 unfolds a remarkable and subtle transition which, like a watermark on paper, provides a backdrop for what Matthew has written here. It is the story of two kings, two administrations, and two testaments. The first king is Herod, who oversaw an administration of oppression, pragmatism, and scorn for God. He ruled as a puppet of Caesar, who ruled as a puppet of Satan. Herod wielded an earthly sword, but not unto justice and righteousness. His was a self-serving and sorry administration.
The second King is our Lord Jesus, Who rules a Kingdom of life, grace, healing, and restoration, as well as the winds and seas and all creation. He has defeated and bound Satan, and is now taking back for Himself all that is rightfully His. Jesus wields the Sword of the Spirit to give life and bring restoration to the world.
With the death of John, the Old Testament, as it were, reaches its final episode. The Old Testament Law—which, John insisted, applied even to Herod—was powerless to save. But saving was never its purpose. Bringing the blessings of grace to those who are saved was and remains its valid role. But for the Law to fulfill its mighty purpose, a new administration and a New Testament are required, under a new King. With the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus recapitulates the manna of the wilderness, holding out the promise of boundless blessings to come. With Immanuel, the New Testament launches, abounding in grace and renewing power.
By demonstrating His power over wind and sea, Jesus showed that God had truly come among men, and though men don’t always seek Him for the right motives, still His grace abounds to those who are yet in the bondage of sin and the misery of its power. A new King has appeared and a new administration has begun, in which the grace of God is the currency and His glory is the motif, driving force, and goal.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Herod was unstable mentally and morally. He was a flagrant killer. He was stubborn and unteachable. He was afraid of his constituency and was not a wise leader. He was rash. His only accomplishment being: he was a total and complete lawbreaker (Matt. 14.1-11). He did not skimp in his wickedness. His father was the same—the killer of the babies in Bethlehem (Matt. 2.16-18). Both Herods were horrible—a father/son team of disaster for mankind.
Herod was not a king anyone would want to serve or be ruled by.
On the other hand: God sent us His Son Jesus, to reign and rule on earth and in heaven.
Jesus kept the Law perfectly. Jesus loves His constituency enough to die for them. He forgives sins.
And He rules with righteousness and justice. He cares for His Own. He leads and feeds His people.
He heals hearts and rids them of wickedness. He rules the land and the sea.
He is beautiful in His holiness. He is perfection.
Jesus is the King all should want to serve and be ruled by. His Father, also perfection.
“And if you call on the Father,
Who without partiality judges according to each one’s work,
conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold,
from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world,
but was manifest in these last times for you
who through Him believe in God,
Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Pet. 1.17-21).
“Holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever” (Ps. 93.5).
“I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live…
For You have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living…
What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation, and
call upon the Name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
now in the presence of all His people…
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and
will call upon the Name of the LORD” (Ps. 116.1, 2, 8, 9, 12-14, 17).
“Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
to receive power and riches and wisdom, and
strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5.12)
“I AM He Who lives, and was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore. Amen” (Rev. 1.18).
Choose life in Jesus, the risen King—LORD of all. Happy Easter!
Reflect.
1. What does it mean for you to be a subject of King Jesus?
2. What does it mean for you to “take up the cup of salvation”?
3. What’s the difference between Jesus being Savior and Jesus being King?
The weakness of those who, not knowing that Christ is God, desired to make a nearer approach to Him, was endured for a time. Now that He fills heaven and earth with the sweet savor of His grace, we must embrace―not with hands or eyes, but by faith―the salvation which He offers to us from heaven. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Matthew 14.34
Pray Psalm 132.11-18.
Thank God for Jesus, God’s Son and our King, and offer up your day to Him in prayer.
Sing Psalm 132.11-18.
Finlandia: Be Still My Soul
Remember, LORD, the oath You swore to David;
do not turn back, do not deny Your Word:
“One of your sons, with your throne I will favor,
and he shall keep My cov’nant evermore,
and walk within My testimonies ever;
thus he shall ever rule as Israel’s LORD.”
God dwells among us, and He will forever,
to meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior—
beloved, eternal light and resting-place.
His foes are banished from His Presence ever,
but we shall reign with Him before His face.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
We invite you to join us in ReThinking Church. We explain further at our ReThinking Church page, here.
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues our readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter begins a new series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column considers questions all church leaders must address. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
