Cast A Net!

THE LESSON for the Third Sunday after Epiphany comes to us from the Gospel According to Saint Matthew. Within the text, a connection is firmly made between the Word of salvation predicted by an ancient prophet, and our Lord’s calling of his first disciples…

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward 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 preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

 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 fishers of men." 

 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 

 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 

 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 

 And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 
                                                                                                (Matthew 4:12-23)

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This Jesus!

The writer of Matthew tied the prophecy of Israel’s unfolding history to the particular vision of Our Lord Jesus as the Eternal Light. Thus the writer points us not only to the salvation of Israel, but to the future of Gentiles as well. As the scripture is read from Matthew we notice the text refers back in time to words from the prophet Isaiah.

“But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” (Isaiah 9:1-3)

We rightly note that our Matthean text offered for today is exclusive in its using of this narrative in the gospel telling. Therefore not drawn from the earlier-penned Markan script... nor included in the Lukan narrative... it likely did have special meaning for the community of the writer… and that was surely prophetic. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the writer obviously examined the text of Isaiah, and saw within it God’s proclamation of the Word throughout the world. Guided by the Spirit, he must have noted that based in the diaspora of the Jews within earlier days of the Greek Empire, the monotheistic Judean belief expressions were told in a world enamored with nature gods and false religions. Our author thus viewed the birth and ministry of Christ as key to the monotheistic fulfillment foretold, so faith in Jesus was soon to be reaching beyond the mere borders of Israel.

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 Addressing persons who were in his community who were either native born participants of nature god worship or non-Hebrew proselytes steeped in the prophetic writings of Isaiah, the author under girded his vision of carrying the gospel message forward into the “nations”. The text therefore carries a great evangelical focus.

 Indeed by the power of the Spirit people who had formerly walked in darkness, by the ministry of Jesus as the Messiah… had been given a great Light. The Light of God had shined. The focus thus shifted from Israel as a nation carrying the true faith, unto a wider definition of just what "nation" meant to our Lord. Thus the prophecy spoke smartly to those of the Antioch synagogue and its Syrian Christian population, for they clearly read or heard… “all the people will know…”.

 Jesus was thus revealed by Matthew as the Savior born into the world, baptized by John, tempted by Satan… and exercising God's will as the Chosen, the Messiah.., the Christ. As the Deliver of his chosen people, therefore, Jesus revealed the graceful will of God. Consequently the writer described that the term “kingdom of God” was to include a far greater number of souls than any Hebrew could imagine.

Geographic Inclusivity & More!
 Centered from Capernaum, the Galilean area became historically important as the center of our Lord's early ministry. In Matthew's mention of ancient and lowly Zebulun and Naphtali we recognize the names of given to the tribes of Israel and the locations in Canaan who were called such after them. In the Canaanite backwaters, therefore, we see that God used even the lowest of the low. Undeserving and lowly persons found their role included within historic Israel’s recollection. These remotes called as shepherds in the field, were to be foundations for the salvation of the nations.

 

 

The Bondage of the Will [Hendrickson Publishers] By Martin Luther

 Therefore we note most importantly, that Matthew began the path for salvation exactly where Jesus ministry was described in the Gospel According to Saint Mark, as our Lord had said… "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."  (Mark 1:15).

 However, stating with textual slight difference, with just…"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”, we see this in comparison.., the  “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” are used quite interchangeably. I offer this to demonstrate the simple regional linguistic preference between the earlier writer of Mark and Matthew's later writing. Mark's gospel is said to have been penned in Rome and read widely near Alexandria in Egypt. Those within Matthew’s congregations were centered in Syria. Each community reflects their own subtle, historical connotations… each adapted for local minds considering the message in their specific congregations. Thus the theme we note as central is with both writers, that of telling the good news in the widespread locations. The importance was placed on repentance as first step. Like unto that message preached by John the Baptist, repentance was the opening key for both communities.

 

 

Letter to the American Church By Eric Metaxas

 We may subsequently conclude that the doctrine of repentance is right doctrine. Repentance calls us to be sorrowful for our sin and turns us around to face God and his judgment. Without repentance there is no salvation; Therefore we see that not only the wilderness prophet John the Baptist, but our gracious Lord Jesus preached that repentance drives us humbly before the throne of Almighty God. There we seek God’s favor. However, unlike John, repentance for followers of Jesus led not just to annual forgiveness by washing, prayer and sacrifice... as found earlier in Hebrew history... but went beyond these things to faith given by God in the good news of Christ being delivered. Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb! Through Matthew, Jesus announces that the kingdom was imminently near… “at hand”. Any congregation or person hearing this reading, could then and still will now see fulfillment on the horizon. The King of Heaven and Earth, of all Creation… has been right with both them... and we ourselves... all along.

Proclaim!

Jesus gathered his disciples as he began to preach. These first named persons would be hearers and afterwards preachers... of his salvation message. They would be witnesses of his miracles and would testify concerning him. Therefore when Christ returns, we might add... would it not be good to be found working in the doings of the apostles? We must ask ourselves, “Are we in Christ?"
 In keeping with this holy calling, those who would follow Christ today must be ready at his command, We are to place all things in proper perspective and follow. Though we differ as to cost, direction taken and method, like the apostles we must be ready to part if needed with earthly things. This example of the power of the Lord Jesus toward salvation, encourages the Church then and now to depend upon solely upon his grace.

 

 

Theology of the Cross for the 21st Century

 

 Know this! Persons in our modern society who are yet without Christ strive in darkness. Most do not want to know their sinfulness, nor the need of salvation. What then is the Church to do? Like those Galilean men who sat in the empty boat after fishing all night on the lake long ago, many Christians today sit in relative discontent not quite knowing their peril, yet sensing great emptiness as congregation populations dwindle. Living but not fully alive, only through the Holy Spirit we who believe in our Savior and his deeds on our behalf can grasp the promise and truly experience life. Jesus comes to us through the Church in proclaimed Word and Sacrament. Therefore, the clarion should ring then outward from the nave of Christian churches to be inviting, “Repent, believe the good news!", should be heard clearly by others in society so that they may have their life changed.

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 You see, only by receiving the gospel through scripture rightly interpreted can Jesus be clearly seen. Jesus was at hand for the early disciples by the power of the Holy Spirit. That same Holy Spirit makes Jesus available to us. Consequently, just as physical light is seen and reflects and directs the lost;  so does the message of Christ's work come upon us. The good news contained in our reading today frees us for service. Thus it is that we are now among those who are called to repentance and renewal! We are to again become the forgiven and the changed.., just as those who were going about their daily chores on the seashore at Galilee. Jesus, the Messiah.., our Teacher, our Healer, our Savior and Lord… truly beckons each of us to be his disciples. Grab the lines of your nets firmly… hear and speak both the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.... and pull your net while saying, “Thanks be to God.”