As the gospel readings in Matthew continue this week, the text moves us from one astounding miracle story to the next. Having healed all the sick and fed all the crowd, Jesus now leaves this deserted place by walking on water. According to Matthew, this one stop on Jesus' itinerary accounted for two of the most well-known messianic miracles.

Although Jesus makes the disciples feed the crowd of hungry people who have followed him out to this isolated area (v. 13), when it is time for them to disperse, Jesus once again assumes a leadership role. In Matthew's version, Jesus first actively dismisses the disciples and then the gathered crowd itself. Not only do these actions clearly reassert Jesus' leadership position before the gathering, it also allows Jesus time to finish what he has come to…