St. Matthew 4:18-22
January 22, 2017
Epiphany 3A
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus~
When someone assumes a new position, or lands a new job, those first few days can be critically important. The strategic choices and symbolic steps taken right on day one will often set the stage for years to come. We see this going on right now in
When I first came to Our Savior as your new pastor, I didn’t issue any executive orders; but I do remember the critical importance of those first few weeks—how we began a year-long study of Luther’s Small Catechism, how I made as many home visits as I possibly could, and how I prepared to preach my very first sermon from this pulpit—a sermon entitled, “Let’s Run,” based on the words of Hebrews chapter 12: Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. I’ve preached quite a few sermons since then . . . and led quite a few Bible studies, as well. But what happened on day one and week one—how we kicked things off—was very, very important.
This morning Jesus kicks things off. This morning St. Matthew lays out for us the significant steps Jesus took right as He began His public ministry. These first steps are not random or accidental. No, they lay out the Savior’s strategy from that day forward. And what we see more clearly than anything else—what emerges as priority number one for this new preacher is His great desire for followers. His very first official act—the first order of business—is to acquire followers. His first executive order consisted of two words: Follow me. Before the miracles and before the healings—before casting out even one unclean spirit—Jesus called people—ordinary people—to follow Him.
Jesus left His home in Nazareth—the place where He grew up—and moved into the region of Galilee. Seven centuries before this happened, the Prophet Isaiah had foretold how the Messiah would begin His ministry in Galilee—like a light dawning on those living in the land of the shadow of death. The geography of Galilee is dominated by the Sea of Galilee. And as the Savior walked that shoreline, He encountered two sets of brothers—fishermen one and all. First it was Peter and Andrew, followed by the sons of Zebedee, James and John. Jesus went to where they were. He called them and immediately they followed Him. Boom! What Jesus really wants are followers.
Now, on this particular Sunday, it seems like a good time to point out the difference between being a follower and being a fan. A lot of my fellow pastors have lamented how today’s Packer game will be a bit of a distraction for many people in the pews today—how visions of the Super Bowl are filling up all your available brain cells. I’m under no illusion that the sense of electric anticipation in the air this morning probably has less to do with my sermon than with what will transpire between the goal posts at the Georgia Dome this afternoon. So, in an effort to preach the hand I’ve been dealt, let me emphasize again that what Jesus wants are followers, not fans.
There’s a big difference between the two. Fans choose to be fans; but followers must be called. That’s why Jesus personally went to Peter, Andrew, James, and John. “Follow me,” He said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” That call—that invitation—was almost unheard of in those days. Back then it was customary for disciples to choose which rabbi they would follow. The student picked the teacher. But Jesus—as He began His new mission—He turned tradition on its head. Jesus did the choosing. Jesus took the initiative. Jesus called men to be His followers.
Fans are different than followers. Fans choose to be fans. I’m a Packer fan because I choose to be a Packer backer. I have made my decision to direct my football loyalties to the green and gold (although it’s just a happy coincidence that I’m wearing those colors right now). Jesus has a lot of fans. Lots of people routinely say nice things about Him. They cheer Him as a champion for the poor. They invoke Him as a man of peace. They try to model His morals. But Jesus doesn’t want any of that. Jesus doesn’t want fans; He wants followers. He wants YOU to follow Him in faith.
This is the best of news! In your baptism Jesus called you and saved you, and each day He guides your steps to follow Him. Jesus once told His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Jesus has chosen you. Jesus wants you—your faithful, fruit-bearing life. Oh, your life might not seem so important or exceptional. You may never be chose as MVP. But the reality is that you have been called by Jesus, saved by Jesus, chosen to follow Him all the way to Paradise. Whatever glory may be generated on the football field today is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in you—in the life of the world to come.
But you should know that it’s not easy being a follower of Jesus. You are being changed and used. Jesus has plans for you. Not many of you are called to be fishers of men. Most of you are not pastors or preachers. But Jesus is using you in whatever your vocations may be—as accountants of men, or mechanics of men, teachers of men, managers of men, or whatever. What matters is . . . Jesus has called you. He is shaping you for service to others in His name.
Following Jesus isn’t easy. We like to be fans; and fans like to win. But the followers of Jesus are called to lose in this life—to lose your life in Jesus. You are called to confess the worst about yourself—to repent of your sin. He wants us to deny ourselves and put the needs of others ahead of our own. He wants us to lose our lives in His life. Being a follower of Jesus means taking a stand on His Word—even when taking a stand is unpopular.
For instance, followers of Jesus are called to stand up for God’s gift of human life—and to decry the traumatic, life-terminating act of abortion. In these latter weeks of January we often pause to ponder the gift of life in the womb—and to mourn how abortion rejects that gift—and rejects God Himself. Since Jesus really does change and use those He calls to follow, then we need to be open for how He might use us to take a stand for the protection of the unborn. A Place of Refuge, The Blessed Again Re-Sale Shop, Eyewitness for Life, Lutherans for Life—there are so many ways and so many places right here in Milwaukee where followers of Jesus can be used by Jesus to bring light and life to those trapped in the darkness of sin and death. Will you follow where He leads?
Jesus wants followers—people like you to follow Him in this life, through death, to the life of the world to come. And so deeply does He desire that, that He laid down His life for the sin of the world. Jesus demonstrated His greatest power in the weakness of the cross. He shed His blood to cleanse you of every sin. Through Holy Baptism He has made your body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit—a sacred place which He uses to accomplish His holy purposes in this world.
It seems so simple, but it’s so true: The key to following Jesus in a life of discipleship is being with Jesus—being connected to Jesus—being a branch of that holy Vine. One of the most remarkable features of today’s Gospel reading is how those four disciples immediately left their nets and their boats and followed Jesus. Following Jesus meant being where Jesus was. For us, following Jesus means being here in the Divine Service, where Jesus gives Himself for us. Here His promises are proclaimed for you. Here His body and blood are given for you, for the forgiveness of sins. Here is the primary place where God chooses His people, changes His people, and uses His people for the life of the whole world. It all begins here.
So, where will it end? Well, Jesus will continue calling people to follow Him until the Last Day. You who have heard that invitation in faith will also hear it again. You will hear it spoken again for the last and final time on the day of resurrection. Then and there you will hear these grace-filled words of Jesus as you leave your grave behind: “Follow me,” He will say. For that is what Jesus really, really wants. Amen.
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