January 28, 2015 Mark 1:14-20

January 25, 2015 Mark 1: 14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ 

 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

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I imagine the their nets - ropes, winding, twisting, knotted to completeness. I imagine the way the nets are cast, full out, then dropping cinch, as to capture all in their wake. I imagine James and John mending their nets, in careful mesmerizing rhythm, like untangling precious jewelry, a concentrated effort. that if imperfect, yields a complete miss. I imagine the haul, the old man and the sea, type of strength that still remains in the body father Zebedee. I imagine the fish they catch convulsing for the air in the sea and slapping in an attempt to get back to water. These are all men who know the chances of freedom juxtaposed with capture. And so they forsake their nets; they leave them in the boat. You cannot drag a net as you cast about on land, you must relinquish control. They must live like fish at sea.

And I wonder, what nets have we been casting? What ties have been mending to the world’s control, and which net would be the hardest to leave behind? Do we have nets of timelines for our lives that our measured by our age, by others progress of wealth, or perceived familial perfection? Do we have nets of beauty, or intelligence? Do we have nets of over confidence or low self esteem, both capturing us and tying us down? Do we have nets of social status and power? Do we have nets of fear and worry? What is the net that ties you down, and captures you and what would it look like to be free? 

Jesus tells them the Kingdom of God has come near, and of this they have imagined and heard. John the Baptist told them of a time and a man who was to come, who would come with freedom from the nets of their lives, for whom the fig tree around blossom and bloom, for whom the heavens would open, for whom the vineyard would fruit, would would feed the multitude and heal the wounded, and bind up the broken hearted, and for all the day of freedom would draw near. I wonder, when was the last time you felt this free? When was your last day without worry or fear? When was the last time where how much you caught wasn’t how you measured yourself? When was the last time you just followed your heart? Because the kingdom of God has come near.

I saw it yesterday on the last run of the day as the sun was setting on the slopes of Anthony and the lift was smiling flipping up the chairs, getting ready to go home. I saw the kingdom in strips of yellow light. But I would have missed it had I simply worked through the weekend not stirring from the net of my computer. I heard of it in celebrations of birthdays with youth and new births. I heard it in the healings that have come. I heard it in the way you sang, or the PYGS Souper Bowl of Caring. I see it in our staff in Larry’s offertory, in Luke’s engagement with our youth even of a Saturday day off ski day, I see it in Molly scanning every session minute since she was clerk. I see it in the community of church that happens at basketball games. I see it in Lynn sitting down and explaining some of the church budget to me. I see it in our volunteers for backpack or Open Door - from those in the basement trenches or those spending time to write grants….I see the kingdom so clearly here. Where have you seen the nets cast aside? Where have you seen the freedom of the kingdom of God? Where first must you cast aside your net and followed the heart of God?

January 18, 2015 John 1:43-51

January 11, 2015 Mark 1: 4-11

January 4, 2014 Matthew 2:1-12