Is 9, extend? Obvious link to Mt.
Mtt 4:12-23 start- the kingdom of heaven has come near-nearer than what we could imagine-he sounds like John here darkness light motif form the quote follow me, not a coercive command but more of an invitation, no? As the days are growing longer again, we have images of light amid the winter cold and darkness. When Jesus' ministry is threatened, he sometimes withdraws from the threat to a place of relative safety.We can assume Jesus sought solace and strength in prayer.the verb is typically used in Matthew when there is movement from one place to another in the face of threatening circumstances.
Of course we read of light after epiphany. Light v. darkness is a core metaphor for the faith."a great light" (Matthew 4:16-17).The followers of Jesus who continue to his light in the world by their own (collective) way of life. Jesus' proclamation that the realm (kingdom) of heaven has come near is the first flicker of a light that will grow and burn among his followers
Jesus calls people as they are, from where they are. Nonetheless, they follow: as they are, from where they are, being who they are. As is true for the followers of Jesus who come after them, the meaning of their choice will unfold only over time.Their light will grow over time, not diminish.Jesus is not content for us to remain as we are, to stay in the repetition that we are special, unique, gifted. Jesus assumes self-esteem and works from it.
God's call invites and empowers a different way to live, to drain the swamp, to begin agiain..Jesus starts out in being baptized by John. It does not look like an inaugural ball. When the news comes to him about John's arrest Jesus withdraws to Galilee, where he calls his first disciples, and he must choose how to respond. but for now Jesus pulls away in order to carry out his ministry of proclamation in and around Galilee.In other words we need down time as well as energy for action in spirutal life.Now he will preach the Sermon on the Mount, heal, and teach what it means to be the Messiah who is "God with us." Those first disciples moved into a whole new way of living, might have preferred to keep their jobs, to remain with their families, to stay with the life that they knew. When they see Jesus and hear his words to them, they make a different choice, however; they take a risk, step out in faith, leave behind that which is comfortable and secure. They choose to follow Jesus.In our baptism we are taken into a new community. We become citizens of a new regime, or if you will, we have dual citizenship, our political one and our spiriutal one. That spritual one oftne inersects with the work of the political, the physical, the everyday world wher ethe Spirit breathes life, insporiation, and yes, light into our lvies.(West-working Preacher).
As Jesus moves into a new chapter, he prays. We have the 150 model prayers in the psalms. ps 27, light salvation protection/hiding then lifted up. It finds solace and strength in the presence of god in prayer at the temple. Week after week we offer that promise here at Sabbath worship. I love the candor of the prayer. Notice shift at 7-it speaks of a real need, an ache for the presence of god It has the sense of being absent from a great love. We close with its great ending
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