Sermons

Rethinking Repentance Bob Stillerman Third Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 4:12-23 Sermon Text: Rethinking Repentance Matthew 4.12-23 1-25-2026 Matthew 4: 12-23 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 4:13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 4:14 […]

God is present with us. And our witness matters. We needn’t wait till Friday. We don’t need to wait for state-sanctioned violence to occur to believe in the dignity of all life. We don’t need to wait to be overwhelmed by the systemic abuses of power – rampant food insecurity, uncontrollable housing costs, deepening wealth gaps – to advocate for the rights of our neighbors. We don’t need to settle for Pax Romana. Jesus says, “Come and see where I am.” Samaria. Galilee. Jerusalem. Our own backyard. The Lamb of God is here! Perhaps we can muster an expression of Torah that honors that presence. It may not yet be Passover, but we ought not pass up our chance.

The good news of today, is that we are a community who can both prepare individuals for the water, as well as being individuals who are invited to the water. And no matter if we’re the dunker or the dunkee, we are worthy. We are equipped. We are loved. We are God’s beloved children. So let’s get wet!!!

The Empire will always strike back, but our faith reminds us that one day, it will strike back with love. During Epiphany, we discover that there are two kings in Jerusalem. It’s easy to figure out that there can only be one king. The hard part is deciding which one we will choose to follow.

In Luke’s Gospel, Emmanuel comes into the world in a manger, runs back into it from a pigsty, resurrects as a stranger on the Emmaus Road, and visits all the margins of life in a forgotten Galilee. But whether child, or outcast, or stranger, Emmanuel is received by mamas and daddies, sisters and brothers, friends, kindred, all, with outstretched arms, ready to embrace God’s presence. There is a whole world out there ready to live out kin-dom moments by simply modeling the radical hospitality of Jesus.  

I am, however, intrigued by the notion of harvest. In the pages of our canon, we will find thousands of examples of people who received the presence of God with purpose. And here in this congregation, we will find dozens, perhaps even hundreds of women and men, and little ones, too, who reveal the nature and character of God’s love to us and for us. And yes, somedays, and especially in a harried pre-Christmas season, we feel a bit broken and battered.  But somehow there are still mothers, both youthful and seasoned, who dare to hope; and there are still women who wage peace because it’s too important not to, and there are still neighbors, who help us find abundance, even in messiness, and remind us to sit at a table, and rejoice together.