Tackling Tradition 51 & Covenant Theology In Outline Form 24: Matthew 14:13 - 33

By outlining Matthew 14:13 - 34, we can understand that is similar to the Pericope Adulterae in John 7 & 8.  These two narratives are much more than biographical stories.   Rather, they also serve as all encompassing eschatological narratives that depict Redemptive, Covenant History in broad strokes.  


Background


Matthew 14:1 - 12 sets the stage for what follows. John the Baptist is horribly murdered by Herod, who functions as an archetypal gluttonous ruler who is a Roman stoolie in the eyes of a great many people.   


Remember — John the Baptist is the transitional prophet from the Davidic Covenant to the Johannine Era.    His murder is also a depiction of the murder of the King’s servants in Matthew 22.   We are in a major time of moral & spiritual declension in the life of the Covenant Community. 

 

Shema 


13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. 

  • Yeshua, the Theanthropic Person, withdraws to a boat to a place to pray & lament.  

Historical Prologue 

But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 

  • This is similar to the Sermon On the Mount & the Pericope Adulterae.   In the former, He engages the people on a mountain.    In the latter, He engages them on the town square. Yeshua meets the people where they are. 

General & Specific Stipulations; Document Clause

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

  • Yeshua is tested by his disciples just as Nicodemus tests him in John & just as they test Him after the Transfiguration.
  • The bread itself represents the Law & Gospel. 
  • The loaves & fishes probably represent what figurative &/or literal scrolls the Disciples carried with them.
  • Yeshua teaches from the scrolls. 
  • This feeds 5000 people, & there is more Law & Gospel left over — enough to continue feeding those who ate & were motivated to take action as doers of the Word, not merely hearers. 

Witnesses, Covenant Renewal, Victory

 

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 

  • In the Gospels, the Disciples are depicted as those to whom Yeshua would unpack His teaching more fully than with the crowds.  

23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 

  • The author is trying to tell us that his closer followers viewed Yeshua with reverence & awe others did not.   He walks on the turbulent sea, signifying divine authority 

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

  • He calms His witnesses.

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

  • Peter represents us all as well as people in positions of leadership as well as those gifted with prophetic courage & discernment.
  • Peter’s waivering reminds us that even the best of us are finite & at times waiver under trial.
  • Our fragility means we are utterly dependent on the LORD.
  • This incident also reminds us that our faith is Christocentric. 

Victory

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

  • The text ends in worship.  

Christus Victor!  Amen 


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