Recognition & Returning | Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people who sat in darknesshave seen a great light,and for those who sat in the region and shadow of deathlight has dawned.”17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”Jesus Calls the First Disciples18 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. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 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. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People23 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.In the Gospel today, a new phase seems to be opening up. John the Baptist is removed from the scene, and Jesus’ public ministry begins. John’s work was one of preparation. It seems that the message of John the Baptist is a continuation of the call of the prophets to “turn” (or “return”) to God. The message of repentance is always difficult to hear until it is embraces as a rhythmic practice. Confession (recognition) and repentance (turning or returning) always precedes hope. There is no healthy way forward without “turning” or returning... There is no discipleship... there is no true or sustaining peace. Many of us struggle with finding purpose in life... because we settle for a lesser or easier way... without going to deeper places. Places of pain... struggle... or difficult inner work. We try to go without preparation.As Jesus begins calling his first disciples, they drop everything and follow him. And, the way Matthew tells the story is striking. We are given no preparation for this... but something should tell us that their lives up to that point led them to be ready for a new purpose...The call to repentance prepares the way. Ideally, we leave past trespasses, hurts, and sins behind for a new way forward. In this way, we see Jesus as an in-breaking of God’s Kingdom, peace and justice. All preparation led and leads to newness, renewal.
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