I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11.

Normally I share excerpts from my devotionals, but I’m reading a wonderful book by C. Baxter Kruger, PhD. titled: Patmos: Three Days, Two Men, One Extraordinary Conversation. A fictional account of the author, by a character’s different name, who is suddenly thrust back in time to the Island of Patmos and meets the aged John the Apostle in his cave. This is part of one conversation: “I suddenly felt known, really known, like I was understood, even accepted, and welcomed. Come to Me, I heard, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. John slowed and took a deep breath. “Why do you think I started with the Word, instead of the Son?” “A moment ago I thought that perhaps you used Word because you wanted us to know that Jesus is God’s message to us.” “Yes, indeed. Think back to your professor’s favorite quote from Karli (Karl Barth).” I could feel his joy in leading me. “I could never forget it; my teacher said it a hundred times. ‘Not God alone, but God and humanity together, constitute the meaning of the Word of God.’” “Now,” he said, his voice quivering in anticipation, “substitute ‘Jesus’ in the place of ‘the Word of God,’ and say the quote again.” “Not God alone, but God and humanity together, constitute the meaning of Jesus.” I repeated it several times, my whole body shaking as I did.”

As we read the gospels, keep that in mind because it’s so important. We see so much confusion today accelerating at a rapid pace. We can become so lost. It was no different then or in any age of man. And in our chapter, Matthew 14, an unthinkable event happens which reflects how lost we truly are without Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in Him.” Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. On Herod’s birthday,the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. v. 1-14. When this world and all that is happening wears you down and you feel lost, remember that Jesus often withdrew to be alone with the Father. He needed that time of renewal and so do we. We were never meant to be separated from Creator God – and He never separates Himself from us. We believe the lie told at the beginning and have believed it ever since. When we let go of the lie we find God. Jesus felt distress at what happened to John and in the hearts of those who ordered his beheading. Yet when the crowds came He taught them and even had His disciples feed thousands who had gathered to hear Him. With only five loaves and two fish Jesus was able to bless the food, and about five thousand men and women and children ate their fill and there was food left over, v. 15-21. Even after such a momentous event, Jesus sought alone time with His Father. He needed Him. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed. v. 22-36.

We can read these accounts, but can you imagine living through them? Why do we think we were created? Why is there a creation? Why the wonderful things and the truly awful things? And Jesus, the Son, came in the flesh to live among us and He is with us still. And in those vital precious moments when we are still with Him, life makes sense. His peace settles over us and His love flows within us. How else can we bear man’s inhumanity to man which makes no sense at all. There is a better way. Jesus knew then and Jesus knows now. Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. “Not God alone, but God and humanity together, constitute the meaning of Jesus!”