January 25, 2026 Text: Matthew 4:12-25
Dear Friends in Christ,
A portion of our text for today is the calling of four disciples. He calls. They follow. This is hard for us to understand in our twenty-first century context. It is important to understand when they lived and who is doing the asking. This was eventful. A big moment in their lives. We cannot wrap our minds around it. We think, “I would have to do this, I would have to do that, how could I leave this person, how could I leave that person.” I get it. I canceled our internet service provider, and it took me a half an hour. I was literally sitting at our kitchen table and praying that I could get through it. Leaving everything in a moment’s notice? No way.
A Pastor tells the story of being at a Christmas party and talking to a Christian man. The man knew he was a Pastor so he said to him, “You know what the hardest part of being a modern day disciple is?” The Pastor figured he was going to say something about kowtowing to company policy to not play Christmas music or not being able to say “Merry Christmas” or simply daring to speak the name of Jesus boldly and plainly. The Pastor then was surprised when the man said, “It’s that the Christian life is so ordinary for most of us.”
With our text in front of us . . .
“ARE YOU OK BEING ORDINARY?”
As we get into 2026 how does the Christian life look? Probably a lot like 2025 or similar to 2024. We come to the Lord’s House, we hear the Word, we partake of the Sacrament, we encourage one another and fellowship with each other. We spend time in Bible Study and Sunday school. It is a nice respite from the rest of the world.
When we leave here we do a lot of the same things. We may go eat after. Or go to the grocery. We head home and watch sports or take a nap or do laundry. For those still working Monday is just around the corner and the alarm goes off. It is off to school or work. Maybe have a few other stops during the day and then home for dinner. Then it’s bathe time for the kids or quality time with the spouse. Interspersed are doctor’s appointments and balls games and a trip to the mechanic. The weeks just run together. Except for me who just came off of a week-long jury trial. One of the longest weeks of my life.
I would have given anything this past week to have Jesus walk into that man-made prison called a jury room and said, “follow me.”
Jesus does but not in a way we expect. He tells us in our text, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We follow Jesus in this ordinary command. Rejoicing that each day is a gift from Him.
Think of these four men called by Jesus. They receive a simple invitation and maybe had an inkling Jesus was something special. What do we have? An entire Bible that reveals God’s plan of salvation promised and fulfilled in Jesus at the cross. We have the words of Peter, Andrew, James and John. We have apostles who were a witness to the Christ. He comes to You in the preaching and teaching of the word. In our repentance, He forgives our sins. In the ordinary elements of bread and wine, He gives you His body and blood for your salvation.
We are called to follow Jesus in your vocation. We serve our neighbor. I did that this week. Many times I failed my Lord. It was difficult. The interactions were not easy. He kept me calm most of the time. My kindness was there. My patience was not. I prayed many times. I thank Him for His presence.
Have you been there? Like the disciples we get put into a box we feel we are trapped in. The things we left unsaid weigh on our heart. Could I have been a better witness? Did I follow Him?
I let it go. I pray you can as well. Jesus is forgiveness. He still has plans for you. Maybe not big and dramatic plans, but ordinary ways you follow and serve Him. Gentle service. Knowing that even in your ordinary days, Jesus is reigning in and through you.
Amen.