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Matthew 4:12-23

2011-01-19 — For me the biggest problem of the calling of the disciples has been the way they just drop everything to go. Who has that kind of faith? I’ve been non-plused as others try to down play the radical nature of this response, arguing that Jesus most likely had been hanging around a lot before making the call. Maybe so. Then I read Daniel Harrington’s commentary on Matthew “The lack of preparation, the simple commands given by Jesus, and the immediate responses all underline the attractiveness of Jesus.” …. Right.

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BIBLE PASSAGE — 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.

— Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Series A

comments

  1. Michael Rabe — ago #

    Hi Jim — I think this is one of your best comics to date! All the residents of Aurora, IL and/or Wayne/Garth fans should be pleased.

  2. Jim — ago #

    Hey Michael! Thanks for the shout out.

  3. Elaine — ago #

    Is “prophesy” the right spelling?

  4. Gil — ago #

    I like this one too! It is funny and yet profound… Indeed we are unworthy yet Jesus by his grace deigns to choose us! Shalom!

    PS, @Elaine: “Prophesy” is the verb form of the noun “prophecy”.

  5. Cynthia — ago #

    To my way of reading the whole passage, it’s where Jesus sets up housekeeping that gives him his cred. Zebulon and Naphtali were like what Vietnam and the Sudan are to us today—places that have been torn apart by war. Jesus was inviting them not to fish for converts but to bring back those still in exile, the lost and forgotten. Jim, if I may, I’d love to use this comic to illustrate my sermon on my blog.

  6. Rose Ann — ago #

    another day, another good bible passage. thanks!

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Copyright 1999 - 2004 James Wetzstein, except the bible of course. All rights reserved.