Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 4:12-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. Verse 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, Verse 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: Verse 15"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- Verse 16the 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." Verse 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Verse 18As 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. Verse 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Verse 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Verse 21As 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. Verse 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Verse 23Jesus 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.
Devotion
Repent for the kingdom of God is near. It is easy to interpret these words as harsh and unforgiving. And yet for Jesus they are an invitation to live into the promise of God's compassionate justice. The phrasing could just as easily read this way: "Good news! The kingdom of God is near! Oh, and by the way, the power of this news can only lead to repentance." That is to say, it's nearly impossible to dwell in darkness when you are standing in the presence of a great light. It is awfully hard to believe lies when the truth is walking with you. Or as Martin Luther King, Jr. put it: "A lie cannot live."
If the kingdom of God is near, then there are certain behaviors that just don’t make sense anymore. Greed, violence, racism and other forms of sin are all exposed for the lie that they are. Repentance ("to change or turn around") is the only natural response to the overwhelming power of God. God's kingdom is near whether we want it to be or not. Do we have the courage to allow this reality to turn us away from our fear? "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy" (Martin Luther King, Jr.).
Prayer
God of light, reveal your brilliance to us so clearly that we have no choice but to live into your future of shalom. Amen.