What Jesus Did

"You are hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he spoke about you. Isaiah said: 'These people say they honor me, but they don't really make me an important part of their lives. Their worship of me is for nothing. The things they teach are only rules that people have made.'"

—Matthew 15:7-9

Key Thought
Jesus was sometimes not very subtle. His lack of diplomacy with hypocrisy was founded in the heart of God. In fact, Jesus is very hard on those who pretend to make God first in their lives...

 

Jesus answered, "And why do you refuse to obey God's command so that you can follow those rules you have? God said, 'You must honor (respect) your father and mother.' And God also said, 'Any person that says bad things to his father or mother must be killed.' But you teach that a person can say to his father or mother, 'I have something I could use to help you. But I will not use it to help you. I will give it to God.' You teach that person to not honor his father. So you teach that it is...

 

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus. They came from Jerusalem and asked Jesus, "Why do your followers not obey the rules given to us by our great people that lived before us? Your followers don't wash their hands before they eat!"

—Matthew 15:1-2

Key Thought
Isn't it interesting how some criticisms come disguised as questions! "Why don't?" The Pharisees and teachers of the Law weren't looking for truth, but looking to set a trap. In fact, most of their questions...

 

After they crossed the lake, they came to the shore at Gennesaret. The people in that place saw Jesus. They knew who he was. So they told the other people all around there that Jesus had come. The people brought all their sick people to Jesus. The people begged Jesus to let them only touch his coat to be healed. And all the sick people that touched Jesus' coat were healed.

—Matthew 14:34-36

Key Thought
While Jesus is in a very busy time in his ministry, a time when he wants to focus on the...

 

After Peter and Jesus were in the boat, the wind became calm. Then those followers in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "Truly you are the Son of God."

—Matthew 14:32-33

Key Thought
The ultimate goal of experiencing Jesus' presence and power in our lives is to lead to our praise of him for who he is and what he has done. Rather than simply an adrenaline fix, an emotional wave, or an incredible experience, our service to Jesus and our recognition that his presence and power make us better...

 

Peter said, "Lord, if that is really you, then tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come, Peter." Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. Peter became afraid and began sinking down into the water. Peter shouted, "Lord, save me!" Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. Jesus said, "Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?"

—Matthew 14:28-31

Key Thought
Peter is catching on, isn't he? He...

 

At this time, the boat was already far away on the lake. The boat was having trouble because of the waves. The wind was blowing against it. Between three and six o'clock in the morning, Jesus' followers were still in the boat. Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water. The followers saw Jesus walking on the water and they were afraid. They said, "It's a ghost!" The followers shouted with fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them. Jesus said, "Don't worry! It's me! Don't be afraid."...

 

Then Jesus made the followers get into the boat. Jesus told them to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus said that he would come later. Jesus stayed there to tell the people they could go home. After Jesus said good-bye to the people, he went up into the hills. Jesus went there alone to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone.

—Matthew 14:22-23

Key Thought
For me, two convictions come out of Jesus' actions:
—Jesus is compassionate to the end!
—Jesus may have put off his time with...

 

Late that afternoon, the followers came to Jesus and said, "No people live in this place. And it is already late. Send the people away so they can go to the towns and buy food for themselves." Jesus answered, "The people don't need to go away. You give them some food to eat." The followers answered, "But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish." Jesus said, "Bring the bread and the fish to me." Then Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves of bread...

 

When Jesus heard what happened to John, Jesus left in a boat. Jesus went alone to a place where there were no people. But the people heard that Jesus left. So the people left their towns and followed Jesus. They went by land to the same place Jesus went. When Jesus came there, he saw many, many people there. Jesus felt sorry for them, and he healed the people that were sick.

—Matthew 14:13-14

Key Thought
One of the most remarkable qualities of Jesus is his sense of compassion. He can see...