On the Outskirts

Jesus' placement not just within Israel, but at its outskirts.

As much as Matthew demonstrates Jesus’ fulfillment of Israel’s story, he also shows how Jesus is quite different than we might expect. He doesn’t simply want to place Jesus within the story of Israel, but to show how he fulfills and transforms it—bringing new light to an old story. For instance, Nazareth is already established for us as an interesting and pointed place of birth and upbringing. But his move from Nazareth to Capernaum is a further reinforcement of the notion that he has come for peoples on the margins.

Zebulun and Naphtali are areas on the outskirts of what is known to Israel. They were part of the northern kingdom, at the border, the first to be conquered or exiled, a place of “darkness” as both Isaiah and Matthew put it. They are in the “shadow of death.”

Jesus will indeed interact with those in Jerusalem and at the center of it all - the Temple. But he settles in Capernaum in the Galilee, in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali.

And then there’s this: Jesus chooses fishermen—not scholars—to enflesh the theology of God. Not trained rabbis or the elite of Jerusalem. But those hard-working men of the sea.

And those in need - particularly the infirmed - begin to notice and swarm around him.

Matthew 4:12-17

Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, which lies alongside the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet said:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, alongside the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who lived in the dark have seen a great light, and a light has come upon those who lived in the region and in shadow of death.

From that time Jesus began to announce, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”

As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread throughout Syria. People brought to him all those who had various kinds of diseases, those in pain, those possessed by demons, those with epilepsy, and those who were paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from the areas beyond the Jordan River.

Psalm 147:2-6

The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, gathering up Israel’s exiles. God heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds. God counts the stars by number, giving each one a name. Our Lord is great and so strong! God’s knowledge can’t be grasped! The Lord helps the poor, but throws the wicked down on the dirt!

Prayer

God,

Thank you for a new day!

Honestly, I feel quite tired. I both feel like I should have more energy and certainly that I need it today. So help me, God.

I will be blessed to interact with many people today, in particular your people seeking to be your Church. Help me to be a blessing, an encouragement, a vessel of the inspiration of your Spirit. Give me eyes that have attention for those who need it. Help my ears to listen well, especially among the many things that will be said. Help me to be present as you are present: aware, attentive, caring, and appropriately responsive.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.