Ordinary Time

January 21, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 4:12-23

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, 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.’ –Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus moved strategically throughout his ministry until he didn’t. He probably thought he could be next to be arrested when he relocated to Capernaum. From the beginning, he had a mission, and he could not complete it by sitting in jail or, worse, being beheaded. I wonder why he waited around when he was called to save a sick Lazarus; I do not think he wanted Lazarus to die so he could raise him, but I do think there was a reason.  

We, too, are called to be strategic in answering our call to being a servant of God. The maintenance of close communion with God is essential to avoiding responses that set back our progress. Learning from our mistakes is also important. We must hone our spiritual muscle memory.  

 Prayer: Lord, help us be intentional in our growth in serving you more nearly. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.