Man in a Boat

Join Pastor James as he reflects on Matthew 14:13–21 and the plea, “Don’t go away,” to explore humanity’s fear that Jesus might withdraw from a sinful and demanding world. After John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdraws by boat. Just as Herod silenced John the Baptist’s prophetic calling, we silence voices that call us to righteousness, reduce morality to social convention, avoid obedience, and demand miracles while resisting discipleship. Yet when hungry and hurting crowd followed him, hungry in body and soul, Jesus didn’t sail away. He had compassion, healing the sick, and feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish. The greater miracle is not merely the meal, but Christ’s compassion – God’s forgiving love made flesh. Though humanity crucified him, Jesus rose from the dead and continues to heal, feed, gather, and save through the forgiving love of baptism and the Sacraments. The sermon finally turns to us: as the body of Christ, we are “the Man in the boat,” called not to retreat from suffering, sin, and need, but to step out in compassion and let God’s love shine. Finally, the sermon shifts, reminding us that we are “the Man in the boat,” the body of Christ in the world, called not to retreat from need, suffering, and sin, but to step out in compassion and let God’s love shine.

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May you be blessed as you worship at home today and in the coming days.

AUGUST 2 WORSHIP MATERIALS

A link to this, and other, recorded services can be found in our Recorded Worship Services. The recording of the 9:30 a.m. service will be available on Sunday afternoon.

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