January 23, 2023 – “Abundance”

“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”  Matthew 14:13-21

The story of the feeding of the 5000, like the miracle of the water turned to wine, are stories about abundance. From nothing more than five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds 5000, plus women and children. Where does the abundance come from? They come from Jesus, of course. And they come through the hands of the disciples who are willing to partake in the miracle. The skeptics will say “Oh it is just hyperbole, a myth, story, a fabrication.” Oh, really? If this was just a story, a fabrication, a myth, then why are we still telling it 2000 years later? And not just repeating a story written 2000 years ago, but a story that was first told and shared by mouth from generation to generation, person to person, household to household before it was finally written down and put into any kind of book. If this story was a fabrication, it wouldn’t have had enough gas to last for two millennia.

The story is really about how we together, the collective disciples of Jesus, can feed a hungry world when we minister in the name of Jesus. I have seen small miracles – how few resources can be used to help many – how just a few people can do great things. We just need to be willing to be the hands that carry the food, the feet that visit the sick, or the voices that pray for the weary.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, use my hands to feed the hungry and serve the needy throughout my life. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 22, 2023 – Epiphany 3A

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
 and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.” Matthew 4:12-23

Do you remember Gideon – from Judges 6? Gideon was a veritable unknown whom the Lord called to save the people. The Lord calls Gideon and tells him that he is going to lead an army against the Midianites – one of the enemies of Israel. Gideon of course scoffs at this idea since he is just a young man. But the Lord persuades him – and he gathers together an army of just 300 men, at the directing of the Lord. And they do manage to defeat the entire army of the Midianites – by attacking at night, with torches, rams horns, and a rebel yell. It is another example of the Lord defeating another enemy of the people of Israel against great odds. And this story would have been shared and passed down through the generations and the memories of the Israelites – that the Lord can do great things when the people follow and trust. Now, this is the story that the Gospel writer Matthew references when he announces that Jesus has withdrawn to Galilee upon hearing that John the Baptist has been arrested. But let’s backtrack for just a moment.

We know that Jesus had just received the Holy Spirit in his baptism. He had heard the voice from heaven telling him he was G-d’s beloved Son. That same spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted and tested by the devil. And having come through that experience, Jesus next receives the news of John the Baptist’s arrest. And so he withdraws immediately, leaving Nazareth to go to Capernaum, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, Galilee. Here he makes his home. Here he will do so much of his ministry – where he will call his fist disciples – and establish his ministry of presence and healing and teaching in the Synagogues. And so we will watch as Jesus advances in his ministry, and he often withdraws to move about the region. As we continue reading through Matthew’s Gospel, we will see how Jesus withdraws up a mountain, or perhaps to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He will withdraw as the crowds press in on him, or as the Pharisees begin to conspire against him. And when John the Baptist is beheaded, again the scriptures tell us that “Jesus withdrew from his hometown in a boat to a deserted place by himself.”

So we see this pattern in the ministry of Jesus – he advances and he withdraws. What is most important is that Jesus does not stop – the light of his teaching and his presence will grow, and grow – one disciple at a time, one person healed at a time, and one person touched by his teaching at a time. His light, just like the light of Gideon so many centuries before him, the light of Jesus shatters the darkness to defeat evil. The very light of G-d has come to you and to me – for those who feel as if they are sitting in darkness, who are dwelling in the shadow of death to these G-d says:

Look back, the light of G-d led the Israelites to the Promised Land

Look back, the light of G-d defeated the Midianites

Look back, the light of G-d defeated the cross

Though darkness may seem to be enveloping you, my friends, just look back, the light of Jesus Christ is dawning upon us every morning to give us hope, healing and new life – as we move forward everyday, advancing and living in the light of Christ.

Pastor Dave