BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusનમૂનો

Israel desperately wanted God’s Kingdom to arrive. Most assumed this would happen through war, a divinely empowered victory over all of Israel’s enemies. Jesus’ kingdom parables suggest an entirely different way. It’s an infinitely powerful, evil-crushing kingdom as hoped for. But it starts small and grows slowly, defeating evil with love, forgiveness, and blessed healing, not war.

Notice how Matthew 13 ends with suspicion around Jesus’ legitimacy, and Matthew 14 then begins with John the Baptizer’s beheading. John saw Jesus as the promised king, prophesied about through Isaiah, in whom God’s Kingdom was drawing near (Matt. 3). He probably wasn’t expecting to lose his head as a result.

Rather than wielding his power to destroy John’s murderers, Jesus withdraws to the wilderness with suffering crowds. He uses his power compassionately to bless people with nourishment, just as Yahweh did. The 12 baskets of leftovers both recall the 12 tribes of Israel and point to the 12 apostles who will carry forward Jesus’ mission.

Then, in Job 9:8 fashion, Jesus “treads upon the sea’s waves,” an activity reserved for God. Understandably, the disciples shriek in terror at the sight of God walking on the waters of Galilee. Jesus encourages them to be fearless because, as he says, “It is I.” Or, more literally, “I am.” Then Jesus calms the sea. Surely anyone bummed about his unwillingness to wage war can be hopeful about his ability to control cosmic reality.

By feeding the crowd, walking on water, invoking the title “I am,” and rescuing from a raging sea (cf. Gen. 6:9-8:17; Exod. 14; Ps. 69), Jesus shows the Kingdom arriving and demonstrates himself to be not only Messiah but also God.

Watch today’s video to see how the first half of Matthew builds to this divine claim about Jesus.

Reflection Questions

• The parables in Matthew 13 represent Jesus’ third big teaching block. They harken back to yesterday’s reading, where people react to Jesus’ ministry in different ways. How do these parables connect to the varied responses to Jesus?
• Much of the vocabulary in Matthew 14 parallels that found in Psalm 69. Comparing the two texts, what do they reveal about God? What about rescue?