Third Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)
The calling of the disciples at the sea
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
Reflection
God's Kingdom has come to this earth and the beginning message made it very personal. Repent and believe. John the Baptist had proclaimed this and now Jesus is proclaiming this same message. John is now in jail. Jesus is prepared to take the second step in the journey of the Kingdom. What "we" don't understand fully is that the Kingdom IS Jesus. Jesus is the Kingdom that has come. Not a kingdom of ruling power in some political environment that will determine how we live and are taxed and the government is run. Not a kingdom to conquer with human power and rule the world through battles and weapons. Jesus is the Kingdom in this case and it is a different kind of Kingdom that what "we" would expect.
Jesus is a Kingdom that has come in the present to these people, yet will come again. As we consider the Kingdom of God today we think of a Kingdom that has already come in Jesus, a Kingdom that is with us today in Word and faith and a Kingdom that will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again.
The two pair of brothers; Simon and Andrew, James and John, had all met Jesus before and saw that Jesus was the Messiah. Now Jesus calls them to take the next step with him. What a joy in not knowing what the future would bring. The Messiah has called. We didn't expect this. Let's go now!
Likewise, things happen to each one of us that we don't expect. Sometimes it's illness, death in the family, or any twist and turn in life. We don't know and can't predict the future. It may be a call from God or a new walk in life that we take after we meet the unknown, good or bad. And the new path we follow will surely not be a rosy road forever. We will stumble and fall on the way and perhaps lose our life.
We however meet the future knowing the repentance, belief, faith, and hope God has provided through Word and Sacrament and the teachings of Jesus, to be confident that our future will be taken care of always by our loving Father. Thanks be to God!
So, lay your nets down. It's time to go!
Prayer
Lord, as I come to you and relive my baptism this morning, I repent of my sin. Drown them in your holy water and bring me to new life in your Kingdom. I lay down my nets and look forward to following Jesus today. Billy can come out to play along with you, Moses, Elijah and your special friend... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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