God of all peoples, may the significance of this day speak to the heart of this dear reader and help them know all people are special to you; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today from Matthew 4: 12 When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. 13 He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. 14 This move completed Isaiah's sermon: 15 Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. 16 People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. 17 This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here." 18 Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. 19 Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." 20 They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. 21 A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee's sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, 22 and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father. 23 From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God's kingdom was his theme - that beginning right now they were under God's government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. (The Message)
It's interesting to note that today marks the birthday of a man who died trying to bring people together. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We can live together as brothers (& sisters) or die separately as fools." His message was modeled on the life and teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I love the way verse 17 has Jesus' message as being, "Change your life. God's kingdom is here." And then He began to call followers to come and learn and do the things that He was willing to teach them. To reach out to all people to bring them into God's one kingdom. Where are we in that? Bishop Woodie White, a retired UM bishop, for many years has written a "Dear Martin," letter to his deceased friend, to let him know where we are. What would your letter say? What would a "Dear Jesus" letter say about where you are?
Many, if they were honest would reflect on how fearful times have become because of the economy. We've turned inward, instead of outward, and we're more selfish in trying to preserve what we have and our willingness to share has not been what it should. We've seen the rise of racism in politics, with people hiding behind, "We want our country back" really saying we're not willing to live lives that care about others. We want fences, we want borders, we want bigger bank accounts, longer life, and a government that works for us. What good does a "God government do?" God would probably want us to love God with everything we have, and then to top it all of, to love one another as we love ourselves.
PRAYER: Loving God, let me be honest with You and myself. I care too much about myself and not enough for others. Forgive me and free me, as we say whenever we celebrate Holy Communion, for "joyful obedience." I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
