Repent

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. (Matthew 4:12-23)

“He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled.”   Here is a good example of prophecy remembered as opposed to prophecy fulfilled. However, it’s possible Jesus went to this region so Isaiah’s prophesy would be fulfilled.  His objective was to bring the light and get rid of the darkness, so the prophet’s words fit.  We’ll never know for sure.

Our first reading said: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. (Isaiah 8:23-9:3)

What happened on the day of Midian?  According to one source: The Midianites had a chequered past in the history of Israel, originally being descendants of Abraham, and the ancestors of Moses’ wife Zipporah, but also turning to be hostile enemies to Israel…The Day of Midian was the day that God vanquished Israel’s foes through a mighty defeat that depended on a group of men armed with clay pots, torches and trumpets. God saved the day and made it quite plain that this was no ordinary military victory: this was the arm of the Lord at work, mighty to save.  Therefore, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.  

We believe Jesus did the same, not armed with clay pots, torches and trumpets but with his message, miracles and healings.  His disciples and followers saw a great light in him shining through their darkness and gloom.  They were yoked to him, but not burdened.  

He was the one with the pole on his shoulder striped by rods used to scourge him.  As the greatest fisher of men and women, he took on our burdens with one condition we must honor.  We must repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, provided we make it so through our own words and deeds.

Deacon David Pierce