You Are Qualified

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 51:1-6 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Who do you say Jesus is? That’s the real question here. Jesus does a little bit of purposeful reflecting with his disciples after a series of action-packed ministry moments. Jesus had been teaching powerfully, performing healings and exorcisms, and performing miracles. After all that, Jesus …

New Things Are Scary

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 56:1-8 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15:21-28 God’s message in Isaiah’s prophecy should make us all very uncomfortable. Sure, it sounds real nice. Foreigners and eunuchs are welcomed among God’s people and God’s house has been called a house of prayer for all peoples. It sounds great, but the uncomfortable truth …

Connected by Compassion

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 55:1-5 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21 This very familiar gospel lesson begins with the words, “When Jesus heard this…” The “this” is the whole context of this incredible miracle story of compassionate healing and provision. The “this” of the story sets us up to know what was on Jesus’ heart and …