PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

December 1, 2024

Matthew 13:53-14:36

Context:

            The theme of the pericope is recognizing Jesus for Who He is. It begins with His hometown and ends in foreign lands. Matthew 14 contains some of the most familiar narratives including the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on the water. In the gospel of John these events are indicated as signs. The actions should have helped people to understand Jesus.

 

Structure:

13:53-58 “a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown”

14:1-2 Herod said, “this is John the Baptist raised from the dead”

14:3-5 they regarded John as a prophet

14:6-12 John’s disciples… buried it

14:13-14 Jesus saw the large crowd and had compassion

14:15-21 He looked up and toward heaven. He blessed the food.

14:22-27 It is I, don’t be afraid

14:28-33 “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

14:34-36 the men of that place recognized Him… they pleaded with Him

 

Key Ideas:   Who Jesus is, faith, miracles

 

Some things to think about:

  • How do think about Jesus? How did your thinking about Jesus develop?
  • How do you own your own faith instead of what has been handed down to you (it may be right, but how did you decide what you were taught is right?)