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A look at the appointed gospel from the Revised Common Lectionary for January 26, 2020.
“Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.”
My Two Cents….
“Repent!” It is such a loaded word. In popular parlance, it oozes judgment and condemnation. Repent you lousy and sinful schmucks! Change your ways or suffer the torment of eternal flames! SHOUT! SHOUT!!!
That was, at least, what was coming from the crackling speaker that was strapped on the shoulder of the guy standing next to the person holding a cross made out of PVC pipe. Both were wearing black and looked more like bouncers than they did prophets. They stood immovable with solemn faces. Saving souls was a serious business. The microphone was held by an energetic young preacher. Also clad in black, arms flailing, he yelled at the crowd which parted to avoid the trio.
They stood in the middle of Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Each night they “witnessed” to the intoxicated crowds that swerved around them.
As I saw them, I cringed. No wonder folks label Christians as judgmental. In a culture that is rapidly decreasing in its church attendance, this is what folks see.
Sadly, nowhere in the squawking message was there any mention of grace. You can’t shout love and convey its meaning at the same time. Hellfire and brimstone miscommunicate the essence of the gospel. This method of preaching, long-established in parts of the Christian tradition, misunderstands the ministry of Jesus.
When Jesus called for ‘repentance,’ he did so in the sense that he was inviting people to turn their lives toward God. Look in God’s direction. See life through the lens of love, forgiveness, and grace. Jesus reached out with the life-giving presence of God and touched those who the “holy” people of the time judged and excluded. Jesus announced a God-given worth to the ones that the culture devalued. Jesus built a new community around hospitality, inclusion, and good news.
Turn in the direction of God and live - that is the message of the gospel.
It is also an invitation for us as we enter this week. How might we share in God’s good news as we work and play? How can our actions towards our neighbors reflect Jesus? Can we be gracious and loving?
In Christ's Light,
Walt
Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends. Copyrighted 2020. Walt Lichtenberger
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