Matthew 4:12-22 (NIV)
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Reflection:
When Jesus called the disciples, there was an immediate (no delay, no hesitation, no lapse in time, no kidding) response. We see the effect of Jesus’ ministry and authority - like light flashing in darkness - that came with an immediate and complete change of things. Jesus walks as light in the darkness, and His call to follow is light that pierces the darkness of our sin and resistance. It is a call of turning from darkness to light. We are called from our own kingdoms into something completely different - the kingdom of God. God’s Presence comes with immediacy, and therefore, an immediacy of response and obedience to follow the Lord, the Light of the World, must follow.
Responding to the Transmission:
Today, let’s once again receive this amazing calling from our Lord, the Light of the World. Without hesitation or delay, may our response be quick to follow. Let’s see God at work today. His salvation at hand. Let’s spend some time praying for our campuses, for our missional groups, for our communities, that God’s light will shine in the darkness. And may the life-light we carry in our hearts blaze in the darkness as we bear witness to the kingdom of God.
