January 22, 2023 St. Andrew Church Rev. Anne McAnelly
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-4
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Second Lesson: Matthew 4:12-23
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. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
I watched two NFL wildcard games this week. Two of my favorite teams, the 49ers and the Cowboys, both victorious. My ex-husband is from Dallas, and I of course started routing for the 9ers when I lived in the bay area. But the game between the Cowboys and the Buccaneers had a twist- Peyton and Eli Manning were commentating the game. Two football legends, two quarterbacks, two brothers. There is something about watching the game with brothers, who happen to know football really well, that makes you feel like they are sitting with you on the couch watching and talking to you about the plays. Brothers just bring an unspoken connection, history and insight to the table. You could say that football is the family business they learned from their father Archie. I must admit I have a comfort level with Payton because I started watching him in his college days when I lived in Tennessee. Go Vols! This year I am hoping to watch the Super Bowl with my brother and two sons!
I start here on this third Sunday of Epiphany as we hear stories of Jesus’ light in the world. You see Epiphany is a time of the inbreaking of God once again in human history. One commentator writes, “During Epiphany, we recognize God’s inbreaking in Jesus Christ, setting in stark relief the false, worldly powers that claim so much authority in our lives: success, productivity, dominance, self-reliance. They do not have the last word” (Working Preacher, Amy G. Oden). As we unpack this story of Jesus bringing light to people who sat in darkness, I couldn’t help but notice these accounts are filled with brothers.
When people agree to be liturgist, they often say don’t give me any names hard to pronounce. Well today we have two and they are in both passages: Zebulun and Naphtali. Isaiah tells of the land of these two brothers and then Matthew connects this land to Jesus’ calling of his disciples. Zebulun and Naphtali are brothers, sons of Jacob, and part of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each of the twelve brothers were given land, Zebulun and Naphtali’s land was near the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah is offering hope for the people when they are oppressed and in darkness because of the Assyrian Invasion. They were in anguish, powerless and conquered, but one day God’s light will shine upon them.
This vision of hope helps us today. Think of a time when you felt hopeless and discouraged. Maybe you received a diagnosis, or a key relationship ended, and you felt alone and broken. Darkness can suck you dry of hope. Yet the very thought of God being with you, hearing you and caring for you goes a long way in providing courage and faith to continue.
Jesus starts with this known and familiar place of darkness. Making the parallel between the darkness of Assyrians and the current darkness of Roman rule. Remember this chapter in Isaiah is the same one that anticipates the son born Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. This darkness has the promise of hope. So when John the Baptist has been arrested, more darkness, Jesus takes up the mantle of calling for repentance because the kingdom of heaven is near. He is proclaiming hope!
The next thing Jesus does is call two sets of brothers. At first, I just thought that was sweet, or easy to have brothers, but I think the fact that the first four disciples Jesus calls are related to another disciples is vitally important. Jesus is asking these four men, these two sets of brothers, to follow him, to be part of the light that is coming into the world. Jesus is not simply asking them to go where he goes, he is asking them to confront the Roman Empire, to shake things up, to be radical in how they move through the world. And who would you want to have by your side for such a task, more than your brother.? The one person who knows you inside and out, the one person you can trust will have your back, the one person you can depend upon.
Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Following Jesus was a radical move. They walked away from their family business, and they are challenging Roman rule. One commentator writes, “As fishermen, these sets of brothers were likely under contract with the Roman Empire (possibly a fishing coop with James and John). Their actions in following Jesus were a disruption, even if small, to Rome’s economic interests… By choosing Jesus, the brothers choose God’s rule over Rome. They choose to “fish” their land and the people in it for God’s purposes rather than exploiting it for Rome’s gain” (Working Preacher, Jillian Engelhardt). I certainly would want my brother with me if I was going to challenge the Roman Empire.
I believe these four men, these two sets of brothers, forged the strong foundational relationship needed to create radical disciples. Courage, trust and a shared language of fishing united these brothers. We have heard the term for so long, I think the audacity of fishing for people has been lost to us. It would take hard work, long hours, dedication to fish for people and these four brothers have proven this skill set. These four plus Jesus created the dream team to fish for people. These five were the core of bringing in God’s reign. The kingdom of heaven has come near is in direct opposition to Roman rule. Dropping their nets and following Jesus means they were all in on fishing for people.
In my early twenties by brother invited me on a 10-day river trip on the Colorado River. I had done river rafting day trips but nothing like this before. But Brad was a river guide and I had complete confidence in him and is ability to keep me safe. So we took a small plane and hiked down the river to meet the boats. It was an adventure of a lifetime, paddling and floating by day and storytelling and laughing by the fire at night. I got tight with the people in my boat, because navigating the rapids depended on us working together as a team. If not, our boat and gear could flip and that water was COLD. I depended on all the guides because they had bonded like a family, a river family. Peter, Andrew, James, and John would have been that connected, working long hours hauling nets, fixing boats, sharing their lives. Their livelihood depended on those relationships. Jesus parlayed this teamwork, this brotherly connection, into the beginning of his ministry. Jesus was bringing light into a darkened world, but he could not do it alone. So he called two sets of brothers, four fishermen, to follow him.
Today the question is how do you follow? Will you, or have you, dropped your nets to follow Jesus into radical discipleship? In closing I want to share this story with you.
There was a field covered with freshly fallen snow. A father and a son enter the field. As they walk across the field, you notice that the father pays no particular attention to where he is going, but his son, on the other hand, follows directly behind, making a special effort to step in his father’s footprints. After the two have crossed the field, you notice that there is only one set of tracks visible in the field, although two had walked across it. The Christian life is that way. In our daily walk we ought to be following Christ’s example. Whether in times of suffering, sorrow or need, whether in times of health, joy, or abundance–if someone were to observe the snow-covered fields of your life, would there be one set of tracks, those of Christ? Or would there be two sets, one belonging to Christ and the other distinctly yours? (Michael Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Grand Rapids: Baker, p.53. Sermons.com)
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Called to follow. Inspired to serve. Confident that we have our siblings in Christ right alongside of us in this ministry, as we seek to be light in our community and are united in Christ’s love. Amen.
