Converted and Called

Matthew 4.12-23

12When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles –
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.’
17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
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 lake – for they were fishermen.
19And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’
20Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
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. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
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.

Dulverton Sermon

The call of the first 4 disciples - Peter and Andrew, James and John - rough fishermen from the seaside town of Capernaum, was hugely significant for the gospel mission of Jesus and the foundation of the Christian Church. Jesus knew what he was doing when he chose them.

If we fast forward to the post resurrection period Peter becomes the first bishop of Rome, martyred Andrew ends up in Constantinople, James at Compostella in Spain, whilst John is still preaching the gospel into old age and 'governing the churches of Asia'. It is all a long way from the Sea of Galilee.

Last Friday was the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul and yesterday we commemorated his missionary companions, Timothy and Titus. The 'Everyman Book of Saints' tells us that "St Paul was the apostle chosen by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and make Christianity a world religion". It was a work for the Lord and the Church which began with his conversion and call on the Damascus Road.

More than 50 years ago when I first offered myself for ministry training in the Methodist Church it involved standing before a committee of senior ministers and giving an account of my conversion and call. Later, at a public meeting, I and the other candidates from our locality had to repeat our testimonies. Thankfully I could pinpoint my conversion and call as one double sided experience at a summer camp amid the lovely hills of the Derbyshire Peak District.

Whatever the nature of your conversion and call it is the bedrock of your discipleship and apostleship. Its focus will be in your baptism and confirmation when you publicly affirmed "I repent of my sins, I renounce evil, I turn to Christ".

Next Saturday the Christmas and Epiphany season will conclude with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This was when Jesus was consecrated to the task that lay ahead of him: "To be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel". Isaiah is quoted as having prophesied it in today's gospel: "The people that live in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned". This is why today's liturgical theme is "Jesus, the Light of the World".

We have been drawn to the light of Christ. It has converted and changed and commissioned us. Scripture and Sacrament keep this light burning brightly within us. Our calling is to show this light by our words and deeds that others too are drawn to it. Jesus has chosen us and said "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men".