We are in the Epiphany season. “Epiphany” comes from the Greek for “appearance” or “manifestation.” During Epiphany, we read stories of the first times we see Jesus in the Gospel stories, his first appearances on the world’s stage.
On the Feast of Epiphany itself, January 6, we read the story from Matthew of the Magi coming to bring their gifts to the newborn Child (Matthew 2:1-12). The church took that story to be the first time that people of the world beyond the borders of Israel saw Christ. (Actually, the lectionary gave us this story as a choice to read on the Second Sunday after Christmas, January 2).
On the First Sunday after the Epiphany, we read Matthew’s account of the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan, the very first time we see him as an adult in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17).
Last Sunday we had a Gospel story from John’s Gospel about Jesus’ baptism, and how Andrew and Simon Peter first met Jesus (John 1:29-42).
During this coming liturgical year we are mainly reading from Matthew’s Gospel, but we will read a good deal from John, notably in the Lent and Easter seasons.
This Sunday we have Matthew’s account of Jesus calling the fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John to follow him as disciples (Matthew 4:12-23).
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist came before him – was a forerunner of Jesus – both in beginning his public preaching before Jesus, and in being arrested and later put to death, as Jesus would be.
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."
The writer of Matthew highlights for us readers, that Jesus is fulfilling what was written by the prophet Isaiah. In this case it was specifically living in Galilee. The people in Galilee have seen a great light, and light dawns on those who were in the “shadow of death” – the light of the promise of resurrection.
In chapter twelve, the writer of Matthew will see Jesus as fulfilling the great image of the Servant of God in Isaiah.
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
“Repent” means simply to turn back to God, asking forgiveness. A forgiveness fully given by God in Christ.
Then comes to the story of the calling of the first disciples.
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee,
Galilee of course was not a “sea” but a large lake. Big enough to have fishing boats. Not at all the size of Lake Michigan. Standing on the shore in Galilee, looking east, one can easily see the hills rising on the other shore, the eastern shore.
(Jesus) 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.
Simon Peter would become leader of the disciples. John would be the closest friend of Jesus. James (in Acts) would be the first of the disciples to lay down his life for his faith in Christ.
I believe we are given this story, so that when we hear Jesus call these four fishermen by the lake, we may hear God call you and me to follow Jesus day by day as his disciples.
In baptism among the great basic questions is this final one:
“Do you promise to follow and obey (Jesus) as your Lord?” (Book of Common Prayer, page 303)
We follow Jesus as disciples.
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
· To read his story, in the context of all the Bible, listening for how God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit.
· Coming to Holy Communion regularly.
· Asking forgiveness and being forgiven.
· Saying our prayers.
· Helping others – serving Christ as we serve those in need (Matthew 25).
· Building the community of the church – gathered by God around Jesus’ table and altar.
· Building a home whether single or with four kids.
· Taking care of oneself – discipleship can be a long distance run (and I pray it will be for you).
· Our giving.
· Discerning, listening for, looking for what God wants us to do and to be. How are we obedient to the call to love as free mature men and women in the city?
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.
(Ray Webster)
