January 25, 2026

Isaiah 9:1-4

9 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied exultation;

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Matthew 4:12-23 [24-25]

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, 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.” As 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 fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As 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. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. [So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, people possessed by demons or having epilepsy or afflicted with paralysis, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan]

Sermon

Your regularly scheduled sermon has been preempted by breaking news.

Folks, I have struggled with what to say to you today.

Friday, I carried a sign through the streets of Minneapolis.

Saturday, Alex Pretti was murdered by ICE.

Sunday, today, we hear the words of God spoken to:

The people who walk in darkness,

the people who sit in a land of deep darkness,

the people for whom the yoke is heavy

and the bar on their shoulders bends them to the earth,

who have cowered under the rod of the oppressor,

who have sat in the region and shadow of death.

The people who dwell in the land of deepest darkness

I understand dwelling in a land of deep darkness. We’re living in it.

We live in a land where a father is detained and his five-year-old is kidnapped and used as bait to capture the mother. Where father and five-year-old were immediately transported to Texas, without due process, regardless of the fact that they entered this country legally, were doing it “the right way.”

We live in a land where a woman going to the doctor is forcibly removed from her car, beaten, and arrested.

We live in a land where 100 clergy of all faiths, kneeling to pray in front of an airport are systematically arrested. The “violent, inciting words” they were speaking – the Lord’s Prayer.

We live in a land where a women trying to drive away is murdered, a family following the order to leave the area is tear-gassed, a man legally observing ICE activity is tear-gassed, beaten, and murdered.

We live in a land where these things are justified by blaming the victim and spinning the truth – no annihilating the truth, asking us to believe their lies instead of our own eyes.

We live in a land where observers are threatened, protesters are demonized and everyone who disagrees with the current administration is “radical left scum’ and ‘domestic terrorists.”

I am afraid, and terrified, and so very, deeply, angry. What about you?

We are dwelling in a land of deep darkness.

Jesus understands. He’s been there.

John has been arrested. And Jesus relocates to Galilee. Relocates, not withdrew. Intentional positioning, not a retreat. Jesus is heading into the fray. Galilee is the land of the oppressed, the land of people sitting in the darkness, land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the land of the nations, the land of the people.

Galilee under heavy surveillance, excessive taxation, ruthless, brutal suppression of any dissent. Sound familiar?

John languishes in prison for speaking the truth to power and Jesus responds by taking to the streets. Calling people open their eyes, open their hearts – to turn back to God and align their hearts with God – really to allow God to realign their hearts to God’s heart. Proclaiming for the kingdom of heaven is here - not a far-away, far-off place in the sky, but an action – God’s action. God rules. God brings justice. God is ready and willing to rule your life.

Jesus is the living example of the kingdom of heaven.

An example of what it means to live under God’s rule. And it’s  powerful. It’s persuasive. Irresistible.

It’s no wonder Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately left their boats, their father, their business. Jesus offers them a choice: the status quo or the kingdom of heaven. Empire’s rule or God’s rule.

They chose God’s rule. They chose life, they chose light. They learn to fish for people drowning in the sea of empire, drawing them out of the dark, violent water, restoring them to life.

Doesn’t that make more sense than the usual interpretation that Jesus calls them to “fish for people” in order to save their souls? I can’t imagine that would be any more attractive to those fishermen that evangelizing is to most of us.

But a call to this new life, this God-attuned life? Powerful. Persuasive. Irresistible.

We are not here to bring empty hope in a promise of a far-of place in the far-of future. No, we are here to proclaim hope is here, now, because Jesus is here, because Jesus proclaims to:

The people who live in the darkness of fascism

the people who sit in a land of dark with lies,

the people for upon whom fear lies heavy

and the weight of unfair economic systems bends them to the earth,

who have cowered under the brutality of ICE,

who have face danger and death.

The people who dwell in this land enveloped in darkness of tyranny

Have seen a great light, upon them the light has dawned

I carried a sign through the streets of Minneapolis on Friday. It said, “Resisting Fascism Is Holy Work.” In smaller print I included “love your neighbor – no exceptions,” “do justice, love mercy, walk humbly,” and a brief paraphrase of Matthew 25: “feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the poor, welcome the stranger.”

When Jesus said, “Follow me” to those fishermen living in occupied Galilee, faced with Roman tyranny and brutality, this is what he was calling them to: resist the tempting false peace of empire, love unconditionally, and care for the least of these.

The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

What does it mean to follow Jesus today?

I’ve read a lot and considered what it means for Jesus to call us today. What is a follower of Jesus to do? Some ideas I have gleaned:

1.   Get involved with resistance organizations.

2.   Join in a mutual aid organization or create one.

3.   Get to know your neighbors, form community.

4.   Pray for your enemies – when you are praying for them, pray for their repentance, that the Holy Spirit will turn them to God’s will and that God will soften hardened hearts.

5.   Witness. If you see something, record it. Be safe, but document

6.   Provide sanctuary to those who need it

7.   Fund the resistance – donate to resistance groups, and groups that provide help with rent expenses, contribute to hazard pay for educators and health care workers in besieged cities, support to small businesses that are impacted by ICE targeting

8.   If you hear someone supporting the false narrative, correct. No human being is illegal. Reframe the narrative of empire: for example, counter the priority of “border control” with the question, “At what cost?”

9.   Show up. To vigils, food pantries, marches.

10.                    Call, write, email your representatives, even if it won’t make a difference. And call or write some of the ones who are trying to steer us back into sane government – even if they don’t directly represent you, they appreciate your support.

The collect for Social Justice

Almighty God, you have created us in your image:Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to makeno peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently useour freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance ofjustice in our communities and among the nations, to theglory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, wholives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,now and forever. Amen.