Between Sundays for the Week of August 3, 2026
As we move into Matthew 14, Jesus has entered a dark time as the resistance to his ministry begins to emerge. In his hometown, his neighbors are offended by his presence and refuse to receive his deeds of power. In Jerusalem, Herod has just executed John the Baptist. Jesus is the natural heir of John’s spirit and ministry and his life is in danger as he attempts to withdraw to a deserted place (Matthew 14:13-21). Thousands come out to meet him, even as he seeks time apart. Matthew doesn’t tell us about the state of the disciples in this moment, but seeing the growing resistance that Jesus is facing, no one could blame them for having second thoughts.
As the daylight fades, the disciples, facing both the darkness of mood and the darkness of the hour, are eager for Jesus to intervene and send the crowds away. Villages offer safety and security, where bread can be bought and water and wine consumed. Wilderness is wild and uncertain and an encampment of thousands could be seen as a threat to Herod and his appointees. The disciples are aware of how little they have to offer hungry people, their suggestions to send the crowds away made good sense.
Yet Jesus insists – you give them something to eat. Jesus is guided by compassion and mercy as he takes the disciples’ reluctant offering and prays over it, blesses it, breaks it, and then enlists the disciples in sharing it with the crowds. As they do, they become part of God’s miracle of enough. Enough food. Enough community. Enough sharing.
We all need Jesus’ miracle of enough because in our moments of darkness and despair, we can become certain that there isn’t enough. Writer Thom Shuman says: “we look into our picnic basket of scarcity, murmuring, ‘not enough money, not enough people, not enough time, not enough energy, notenoughnotenoughnotenough.”
When we are afraid, when the world around us seems bleak, when we feel trapped and alone, when the needs around us are so great and our abililty to meet them seems insignificant, the temptation to close ourselves off is great. Yet Jesus still says to us — you give them something to eat — and trusts that God will work with what we offer.
P.S. View Sunday’s worship service and listen to Pastor Amy’s introduction to the gospel and full sermon (beginning around 17:36). As always, share your presence with us or prayer concerns by completing a contact form on our website! Links to previous worship videos are available on our website.
Faith Connection at Home
How old are you and what grade are you entering in the fall? I’m 11 years old, and I’m going into 6th grade at Martha Brown
What’s something you know how to do really well? Some things I know how to do is sing and play tennis
What is something you would like to learn how to do? I’m interested in learning how to be an entrepreneur and learn more sign language
What is something you love about our church? What I love about church is that it is a safe and welcoming space to worship and socialize and a place where everyone comes to sing to Jesus Christ!!
If you had a magic wand, what would you change or improve about our church? I would probably have a Starbucks in the Narthex.
What is something you want our church to know about you? I have a twin sister that you may know as Vivian and a three year old black labordor Nova. Also I have been on every Disney World roller coaster!! This is just some things I want the church to know about me!!
Ponderings
Feeding hungry people was part of Jesus’ ministry and one of the concrete ways that we follow him in the world today. There are many ways to address food insecurity. Pastor Amy talked about Loop Ministries in her Sunday sermon. At Bethlehem, we participate in the Second Sunday Dinner Ministry that delivers a hot meal to community members each month (next on August 9). We also support the Perinton Food Shelf. ELCA World Hunger Ministry accompanies neighbors near and far as God provides daily bread. ELCA Advocacy supports and equips people who wish to speak out on public policy that impacts access to food. Lutheran Pastor Matthew O’Rear writes, “Stewardship is not the art of creating abundance out of nothing. It is the faithful practice of entrusting what we have already received to the work of Christ.” What are your hands holding – in terms of time, resources, or energy – that you could offer to Christ’s work?