Matthew 14:13-21 (click on the scripture to read it)
No... YOU Feed Them
Jesus had been doing good ministry. Up to today’s Gospel reading in Matthew, Jesus had chosen a special group of disciples to take this journey with him. He has healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, cast out demons, and restored life to a little girl. He’s calmed a raging storm, preached the Sermon on the Mount and taught many parables that were creating spiritual growth within those who would listen to his message. Jesus had been doing good ministry.
As we listen to today’s Gospel, Matthew 14:13-21, some of you may have noticed that the reading does not actually begin right at verse 13. There are 5 words that are missing. In the Episcopal Church and most, if not all, main line Christian denominations follow a common lectionary; we all follow the same set of scriptures each week over a three year cycle. At some point a group of theologians got together and decided what those scriptures would be. When they put them together they did not think these 5 words were important, so they left them out.
For us here today, I feel those 5 words have great meaning.
Instead of, “Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.” verse 13 actually begins, “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.”… “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew…” What Jesus heard, was the news that John the Baptist, his friend and cousin, had just been murdered; not only murdered but beheaded, and then his head was served up on a platter. Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
Jesus was doing good ministry; a ministry that begin with him being baptized by his cousin John. So, why did Jesus withdraw to a deserted place? I am thinking it was out of fear. There are theologians out there who would totally disagree with me; they would say Jesus had no fear. But I say, without fear, Jesus was not fully human… and scriptures tell us that upon being born into the human family God emptied God’s self in order to truly be a part of humanity. Fear is a natural emotion, a very human emotion and I think Jesus reacted to it as he withdrew to be by himself.
The story does not end there.
After Jesus settles down from reacting to fear, he comes ashore. What he finds there is that God has sent him a reminder of what he is called to do. Jesus looks into the eyes of the large crowd and he experiences their pain and hopelessness. This time Jesus does not react in fear but he responds with compassion. Pity does not require any real connection, but compassion requires a connection that draws you into relationship. Through this compassion Jesus healed their sick…and he began healing them from a society that had forgotten about the poor and lowly, a society that had forgotten about those in need.
Within this Gospel, the disciples too reacted in fear.
They were faced with 5000 plus people who were out in a deserted place and the hour had drawn late. In that society it was not safe to be outside the protection of the city after sundown. What would protect the crowd from the night? Who would protect the disciples when the crowd became hungry…who would feed them? The disciples react in fear and go to Jesus and say to him “send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus knows that this crowd has been so transformed by this experience...they have been so transformed that they did not leave and go home before it got dark. They were so transformed by Jesus that they knew God would give them what they needed to face the darkness.
This was not the case for his disciples.
Jesus turns the disciple’s reactionary fear into a compassionate response. He said to the disciples, “they need not go away; you give them something to eat." Jesus said YOU do it…you respond…you can do this.
The disciples could not see past their fear, so God, through Jesus, gave them the tools they needed. “Then Jesus 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 fed the crowds.” God took the disciples fear and gave them what they needed to do the ministry that God wanted them to do.
Fear is a human reaction, but it causes blindness to God working in our lives. As life happens we encounter things that trigger negative reactions, fearful reactions in us. Many of us are currently facing a variety of these things. The emotion of fear is there for a reason and is healthy; healthy up to a point. Focus on God in the situation…the Goodness in the situation, even when things seem hopeless and impossible to overcome. That God-ness will guide you through.
This past week, the Church Wardens sent out a parish letter. This letter was sent to keep you informed of where St. Paul’s stood financially, which includes a significant projected shortfall for the 2012 budget. Many of you have come to me with a variety of emotions ranging from a panic of fear to a response of hope and prayer… Each of these reactions and responses are honest and I thank you for trusting me with your concerns.
Fear is a natural reaction, but now it is time to come ashore and respond with what God would have us do. Jesus did not let the disciples simply say to him, “Jesus take care of this mess we have gotten ourselves into.” Jesus said you take care of it…God will give you the tools and you take care of it and do the ministry you are called to do.
We need to wipe away any fears we have for our future and respond as we are called. As Christians we are called to gather in this place, to share in the teachings of scripture, share in the fellowship of each other and to share in the sacramental elements of bread and wine. We are called to take the nourishment that we are given in this community and respond with compassion as we share what we experience with others out in the world. We are called to be fed and then to feed others… We are called to be fed and then to feed others.
The details within today’s miracle in this Gospel reading are not to be debated…the Good News in this story is that Everyone got fed… the disciples overcame what they seemed to be impossible and everyone got fed.
On August 28th we are responding to what God wants us to do…and this is a response that we have to do, not as individuals, but as a whole community.
We are having an invitation Sunday….not bring a friend Sunday, but invitation Sunday.
This does not mean that you can’t invite a friend and I hope you do, but we have tried “bring a friend Sunday” before without success. The ushers are now passing out to you 5 invitations to Invitation Sunday. These are for you to handout. You can invite anyone…maybe your bank teller or your butcher. Maybe the person standing in front of you in the grocery line, or the receptionist at the doctor’s office. Who you invite is not important…the importance of this task is to do what God has called you to do…God has called us all to share what we know to be the truth…the Goodness of the Gospel…we are called to share are faith and invite others into our community.
Jesus said to the disciples, YOU do it…you respond…you can do this….God gave the disciples what they needed to do this, and God will give you what you need too.
Blessed be the name of God.
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