Dear friends in Christ

Dear friends in Christ: Those of you who have been with the church at least since 2014 maybe feeling a little like DÉJÀ VU this morning, perhaps even over the last month or so. It wasthree years ago when the 3-year Lectionary, the order of worship tool by which we movethrough the books of the Bible, featured the same texts before us today.

In 2014, at about this point in the weeks after Pentecost, we examined the parable lessonsabout the Sower, the Weeds, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great value, the fishing net, andthe master of the house. And, as in 2014, those parables were followed by the Gospel lesson before us today, commonly referred to as “The Feeding of the Five Thousand.”

Looking back to 2014, I took a decidedly different approach to preaching on this very familiar and important moment early in Jesus’ public ministry. I enl isted the services of our organist,Yvonne Justice. Together we role-played this wonderful story – which has been covered fromso many angles by so many preachers for so many 3-year cycles – from an unlikely (andundocumented) perspective. In fact, I believ e the sermon video is still on the church’s website for your viewing pleasure if you would like to hear it. More on that fictional account in a bit.

What I would like you to consider for now, though, is something that I refer to often as webegin to exami ne God’s Word for more insight, more understanding, and for a better grasp on how it might apply to us so many years later. That something is CONTEXT.

How many of you have heard the story of the miracle on the mountain at least one time? Howmany twice? How many of you more than three times? It is a beautiful story of the compassionand love of the Creator for His creation. It is a story of sharing, caring, and sparing. It is alesson of behavior for Christians of all ages toward other people from all walks of life. Buthow many of you know how and why this moment in history came to be in the first place?How did it become necessary for Jesus to have to make the decision to feed so many? Andhow, by knowing the answer to that question, does it speak to you still today?