Third Sunday of Pentecost, June 14, 10:30am
Sermon: Who? Me?
Accompanying Scripture: Matthew 9 : 35 – 10 : 8

Who? Me?
Matthew 9:35-10:8 6/14/2026
Living in first-century Palestine was excruciating. The Empire held sway over every
aspect of their lives. The people were not worthy of consideration or respect by
Caesar. The Emperor claimed ownership of everything in the Empire.
That included the Sea of Galilee, claiming the best fish for himself and his elite friends,
with no payment to fishermen. The remaining fish was sold in the marketplace, and a
tax was paid to the Tax Collector. What little was left was used to put food on the
table. They were poor with little to no education.
The farmers were no better off. Taxed to the hilt, they often lost their inherited
property and were forced to move to the cities for work. The job market was scant.
Again, they lived in poverty.
When the Roman soldiers marched through town, the residents listened with care.
The coverings on the soldiers’ feet could be hobnailed or not. If they didn’t hear the
click-clacking of the hobnails, they breathed a sigh of relief. If the boots were
hobnailed, they knew that someone would die today.
The Temple officials were frightened. Rome could destroy the Temple at any time it
desired. Because of that, the religious leaders didn’t object when Rome hung its
eagle symbol on the Temple. Rome owned the Temple. The High Priest reported to
Antonia Fortress next door to receive his worship vestments. Sometimes they were
refused.
Did the Temple leadership mean to make the lives of their people even more difficult?
Did they mean to impose such strict rules that most of them could barely handle
them? Again, money was needed to keep the Temple going. Again, it was up to the
Peasants to provide it.
Is it any wonder that Palestine was a hotbed of insurrection? A Jewish sect known as
Zealots worked tirelessly on a plan to fight the Roman Legions and regain their land as
their own.
Into this world, Jesus was born. Into this world, Jesus entered his ministry. He spoke
plainly to the people and gave them hope.
Caesar may claim ownership of the Sea of Galilee, but ultimately everything belongs
to God. It was the Son of God who walked on those waters, not Caesar. It was the Son
of God who calmed storms at sea, not Caesar.

Caesar may claim to be the son of Zeus, even divine, but he held no power to heal
anyone. The Son of God had the power to heal sickness, exorcise demons, bring the
dead back to life, and teach the people how to live in hope.
In our scripture passage, Jesus is busy, as usual. People are arriving from far and near
to hear him, to be touched by him.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” He turns to his disciples and says
to them, pray. Pray for help. Pray for laborers.
Prayer is powerful. A softly spoken, “God, help me,” can lead to wonderful solutions.
This week, we have found the energy to complete work on the Nursery. We have a
couple of people who will finish the painting and someone who will create a mural on
the wall. The toys are in desperate need of cleaning. I decided to lend a hand. I
would much rather fling a paintbrush and a roller over the walls, but that isn’t what
was needed. So I took up cleaning toys.
I began with the plastic, washable toys. Using hot, soapy water, I found a bin of toy
dishes and food. It took longer than I expected. The amount of toy food seemed
insurmountable. Cucumbers, broccoli, French fries, potato chips, slices of bread,
tomatoes, whole and sliced, potatoes, and so much more. The more I washed, the
more there were left to be washed. Working with all this toy food made me hungry,
so I helped myself to some cookies in the kitchen! Sorry, youth.
I thought I would never get to the end, but at last I did. Whew! The job isn’t complete.
We still have many more toys to sort through and clean. I’m praying for laborers for
the harvest!
It seemed an overwhelming task for me. I wonder if that’s how Jesus felt. In the
midst of his busy day, he paused and looked around. So. Many. People. So much work.
Not enough time. Not enough daylight.
It turns out that the laborers are standing right in front of him. Through discernment
and prayer, Jesus calls twelve men to become apostles: the ones sent out. Twelve, as
in the twelve tribes of Israel, named for the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel. Twelve, the
number representing completion.
True to God’s nature, the list of disciples is not a group of like-minded men. First on
the list is Peter, the one who will deny knowing Jesus at his trial. Last, Judas, who will
betray him. In between are uneducated fishermen, a Tax Collector, and Simon the
Cananaean, a member of the Zealots. Perhaps Simon was more interested in
banishing a corrupt conspirator of Rome, rather than being sent out by Jesus. What a
crew!

He ordains them and instructs them. Go only to the Israelites, stay out of enemy
territory. Don’t pack a suitcase, you won’t need it. You are now shepherds. Go to the
lost and floundering sheep. Do what I have done. Follow my model. I have given you
the power to do so.
And, just like that, Jesus’ ministry has grown. Six times as many people will be healed
and taught. Six times as many people will learn a new way of being: a way of hope.
What was Jesus’ message? It was a message of hope. Affirmations that “you are
enough.” Reminders of the law that teach how to love God and neighbor. The people
may have been illiterate, but they knew their Bible, especially the men.
When Jesus said, “What does the law require of you? To do justice, love mercy and
walk humbly with your God,” they knew he was quoting the prophet, Micah. They also
knew what he wrote just before he penned those words: God was tired of their empty
worship. Oh, it was perfect, but the people went out with hardened hearts.
Jesus and his disciples restored the people’s dignity. Stand tall, turn the other cheek.
God, go the extra mile. Be the chosen people of God and model what the Kingdom of
God means.
Do this because You Matter!
Later on we read that the disciples returned energized by their mission trips. They
made a difference in the lives of God’s people. They began to understand what Jesus
was saying. But, the demands will be become more difficult and they’ll
misunderstand.