As you know, each week our scripture readings come from the Revised Common Lectionary. There is an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, a Psalm, and a Gospel reading. I don't know if you notice but Betsy puts the readings for the upcoming Sunday in the Pulse each Friday. That's so you can look them over in preparation for worship.

If that's not your regular practice, that's okay, but I'm going to ask you a favor this week. Please read the Gospel reading for Sunday. It's the very familiar story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. But this time read it a couple times. Take note of things you might not have noticed before.

I will be preaching on this passage from a different perspective than I normally do. So, read it, pray about what it does for your heart, and come ready to hear God speaking to us!

I've included the passage below for your convenience.

Matthew 14:13-21

Now when Jesus heard [about the beheading of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he 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 gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

See you Sunday!