Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4
Swirling snow and bitter chill remind us that this is January, the darkest month of the year. Yet Epiphany draws us to the light of hope that calls us to join Jesus in “proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.” That gracious light shines through today’s readings. In this first reading, the Prophet Isaiah still promises, despite hard times when the northern lands of Zebulon and Naphtali have fallen to the Assyrians and the nation’s fate is in doubt, that God’s light will banish the darkness. In word’s familiar from Handel’s Messiah, he foretells a world of bounty and joy.

Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 5-13
God indeed is our light, the Psalmist exults, and our stronghold and our salvation, so there is nothing to fear. This is not just a happy-clappy song, though. The verses remind us that bad things can happen even in the lives of God’s people. The people face adversaries, armies of enemies; sometimes it even feels as if their own parents have turned against them. But we pray that God will hear us, love us, protect us and keep us safe.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Last week we heard Paul greeting the church at Corinth with fondness. Now he gets to the point: He has learned that this small church is falling into disunity, quarreling over doctrinal issues and leadership. Remember that baptism brings us together in unity in Christ, Paul reminds them. Our belief in the Resurrection and salvation through Christ may sound like “foolishness” to those who haven’t found Christ, but it saves us through God’s power.

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23
Quoting Isaiah to name Jesus as fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, Matthew presents a fascinating narrative of Jesus, grieving the murder of his cousin John, moving from his home in Nazareth to Capernaum, a larger city on the shore in Galilee, the old Northern Kingdom of Zebulon and Naphtali. There Jesus begins his public life, preaching in the same words as John: “‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus calls four fishermen who eagerly drop their nets and follow as he preaches, teaches, cures and heals. But how do we think James’ and John’s father Zebedee felt about being left behind with the nets? The gospels often warn us that following Jesus may require leaving everything else behind.