Matthew the apostle wrote how, “Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Where should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have you? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-nine of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus sent the multitude away and “came into the coasts of Magdala” where we read:
And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
The verse reads, “And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and he sent away” which means “and Jesus dismissed and let go” “the multitude” or “the crowd and mass of people”, “and took ship” which means “and boarded a boat or sailing vessel”. Matthew shared how Jesus “dismissed” the multitude of people and boarded a sailing vessel.
The verse continues, “... and came into the coasts of Magdala.” Matthew added the words, “and came into” which means “and came forth unto and approached” “the coasts” which refers to “the boundaries, region, district, territory and coastline” “of Magdala” or “belonging to Magdala which means a tower and was a place on the western shore of the Lake of Galilee, about three miles or five kilometers north of Tiberias”. Matthew shared how Jesus approached the shores “of Magdala” which lies on the western shore of the Lake of Galilee.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus and His disciples on the move again. Although Jesus ministered to people in a certain place, He did not remain there and reached out to other places surrounding the “Sea of Galilee”. God's love extends to the whole world, and although He ministers in one particular country, He offers “salvation” to people all over the earth. May all who read these words realize the broad reaching gospel of Jesus Christ and receive Him as “Savior and Lord” today wherever they are in the world.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how Jesus, “the Pharisees and the Sadducees” come to Jesus again, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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