Epiphany 3

Preparation

Please begin by reading Matthew 4:12-25 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--Gone Fishin’

 A lot of modern theology concentrates on Jesus’ gentleness and his concern for the marginalized and the oppressed in society.  That’s truth that’s especially good news for communities like ours.  There are also stories of lives Jesus rescues from the brink of ruin caused by many different things.  That’s also truth.  Jesus is the embodiment of God’s goodness and grace; bringing gentle love where it is needed. 

But that’s not the whole story.  Jesus is also a no-nonsense proponent of “tough love” whose focus is on the big picture of getting God’s work done.  Encounters with Jesus are not always easy, convenient, or comforting.  Jesus not only gently knocks at our heart’s door.  Sometimes Jesus gives orders!  There are critical lessons to be learned about these things from Jesus’ call to Peter, Andrew, James, and John. 

Let’s go fishing!

The background is Jesus’ central proclamation:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  In other words, his message was (and is!) that it’s time to reorient our lives toward our sovereign God.

As far as we know neither Peter, Andrew, James, nor John was in need of Jesus’ restorative touch when Jesus found them.  They were all solid citizens living normal lives; honorably and productively employed in their family business.  Had we known them, we would likely have thought of all of them as “good people,” “the salt of the earth.”

They did not come to Jesus; Jesus came to them.  He gave them not gentle advice and teaching, but a command:  “Follow me!”  There were no qualifications about “when you get finished with what you’re doing,” or “when it’s convenient,” or “when you’ve figured it all out and you’re comfortable with it,” or “when you’ve got other people lined up to look after things at home”!  He just gave the command, as he often does:  “Follow me.”  Jesus call is often disruptive!

Here Jesus did spell out the why of it in words these fishermen could readily understand.  “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”  In other words, there was nothing wrong with what they were already doing, but Jesus had something a lot more important in mind for them.  And they went!  Immediately!  With no questions! 

And that made all the difference!  They could have honorably remained good people catching fish to feed hungry stomachs.  It’s likely their spots in heaven would still have been secure, but they would have disappeared into the mists of history and their influence for good would have been limited to a handful of people in their village.  But because they obeyed without question, and without knowing in advance how Jesus was going to pull it all off, they were God’s instruments for work that would change millions of lives over centuries.

Sooner or later, probably when it’s least convenient, Jesus will come to you too.  Once again he’ll say “Follow me.”  He’ll wait a little while for the answer.  We can either obey or make excuses.  He won’t condemn us if we say no, just sigh and go on.  But oh, saying yes still makes all the difference! 

What about you?  Is it time for you to hang out that sign, “Gone fishin’?”        

revclay

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Matthew 4:12-25

      Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:  “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen.  And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 

Immediately they left their nets and followed him.  As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.  Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.  Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them.  And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.  [NRSV]