Having concluded the parabolic discourse of chapter 13, now the parables become history as we will look at five narratives – Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth (13:53-58), the beheading of John (14:1-12), the feeding of the 5000 (14:13-21), walking on water (14:22-33), and healing in Gennesaret (14:34-36). In these narratives we will find a mixed reception on the part of different people which occurs any time a people are confronted with Jesus Christ. As the parable of the sower has just illustrated (13:1-9), some people despise and reject the gospel (the seed that falls on the path), and some embrace and believe (the fourth, fertile soil).
Matthew introduces this section by contrasting the people’s rejection of Jesus and John the Baptist, based upon mistaken assessments as to their identity (13:53-14:12). While the responses of Herod’s beheading of John and Jesus’ rejection by his hometown can be likened to the seed that falls on the path, it is the surprising response of those “outsiders” of Gennesaret of absolute acceptance, that provides an historic fulfillment of the receptive fertile soil of the parable. Those who despise and reject Christ usually do so based on a misunderstanding of the nature of His Person and work (an incorrect Christology); alternatively, when people receive Christ, it is because He has revealed His true nature to them.
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A native of New York, Pastor LoSardo was saved by the grace of God in 1986 after hearing the Gospel from his brother, while pursuing a career in scientific research. He was ordained into the ministry in 1995 and served as the Associate Pastor of a large Messianic Congregation...
