Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 4:12-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. Verse 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, Verse 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: Verse 15"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- Verse 16the 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." Verse 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Verse 18As 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. Verse 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Verse 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Verse 21As 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. Verse 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Verse 23Jesus 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.
Devotion
How do you practice hospitality in your life? Return a phone call promptly? Invite someone to lunch? Make an effort to remember a person’s name? Whatever you do to welcome another, it probably involves some form of paying attention.
Some men are busy catching fish along the Sea of Galilee. A stranger walks by and engages them in conversation. Somehow, amidst the nets and the fish and the waves, Jesus is able to get their attention. He shares God’s welcome with them, going so far as to invite them to leave their nets behind and follow him. Surprisingly, the men say yes. Whatever we make of their choice, it involves paying attention to the stranger who comes walking into their life.
What we know about Jesus is that he has a way of showing up at some of the most unexpected times, and in some of the most unexpected places, and through some of the most unexpected people. If we want to see him, we need to be paying attention. And as we do, our hospitality will only get better.
Prayer
Open my eyes, Lord, so that I might see you when you show up in my life today. Amen.