February 2008

Immediately?

Matthew 4:12-23{12} 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 darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." {17} From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." {18} 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. {23} 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.

The storyteller of the Gospel of Matthew wants us to know that an encounter with Jesus is immediate and life-changing. This life-changing event, of course, fits into a larger story. The storyteller wants us to know that this story began long before we arrived on the scene and will continue long after we leave it. The ancient boundaries which are described in this passage, remind us that God has been active over the millenniums and is still active. Throughout the eons God has invited all people to know that there is light in the darkness. We are invited and privileged to know that we also have come to see great light. You and I belong to God's people. This Epiphany brings us great joy.

Yet, as so often is the case in the word of God, this story may be unsettling. God comes to us in our vocational settings and brings a sudden life-changing invitation. Jesus proclaims repent, and at the same time, brings an invitation. The Kingdom of God is all around and the immediacy of this event calls us to follow. I am energized and also troubled by Jesus’ words to his disciples as he said, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." "Follow me and I will make you..." seems a strong word. "He will make me," it says. So much of the culture around me encourages me to be self-made. Personal autonomy is something to be treasured, so says the world but Jesus says, “hurry up and follow me.” That almost seems like saying, in my mind, "hurry up and wait." At least it seems like that in my middle-aged, middle-class, middle American, frame of mind.

In this story of the disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John, they leave everything and immediately follow him. In their following, at least in the early stages, they seem to do more watching than anything else. One might recognize this as a type of discernment. Discerning what God is directing for our lives is never an easy task. It seems that a new calendar year and a new church year remind us of new beginnings. A new beginning is always a time to ask, "what's next?" It seems like these disciples had to make an immediate choice. What important life-changing things is God going to make of you "immediately?" Watching and waiting and then receiving this "making" is the joy of this journey. May we open ourselves to such immediacy and follow.