Luke Chapter 14 - ACC NT Study

The Parable of the Great Banquet

15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.
17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19 "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20 "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
21 "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
22 " 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
23 "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.
24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

In a few words:
Only the hungry will be fed.

Mark Chapter 14 - ACC NT Study

(Verses 27-31)
27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
31But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

Peter and all of the disciples pledged they would die with Jesus if necessary. However as scripture tells us in this chapter, Peter did deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice.

Jesus returned to Peter after His Resurrection and reinstated him (John 21:15-17) and told him to "Feed my Sheep" restoring him to serve as a follower of Christ.

Likewise many of us make a pledge during prayer or devotion time, to discontinue unacceptable behavior in our lives. We promise to our Lord and ourselves not to repeat it, yet to fail and do it again. Even though we may have confessed to Him and asked for forgiveness, we may begin to feel unworthy and be tempted to give up following Him. I believe if we make ourselves available to Jesus (In prayer, worship or bible study) He returns to us, restores us and tell us to "Feed my sheep."

In a few words:
Let us thank Him for our continued restoration.

Matthew Chapter 14 - ACC NT Study

What would normally stand out to me in Matthew Chapter 14 are the familiar miracles of Jesus feeding 5000 with almost nothing, followed by Him walking on water. However, what stands out to me today when reading this chapter is His time of sorrow during loss.

When Jesus heard what had happened to John the Baptist, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. (Perhaps to ask God why.) I am convinced Jesus knew sorrow that day, just as we know sorrow when we lose loved ones. It is not clear how long He stayed out on the boat, but as soon as he returned He had compassion on a large crowd and healed their sick. Another example from Him for us to follow.

In a few words:
Compassion for others, brings healing to ourselves as well.