In the 1800″s, there were many traveling circuses, carnivals and troupes of actors which moved from town to town, offering entertainment to local residents. In these days before electronic gadgets, they would send a couple of fellows to the place where they’d be in a few weeks: one to beat the drum loudly, the other to hand out flyers as to date and specific location. All traveling salesmen soon were considered “drummers”, attempting to drum up business. The weekend’s scriptures call out to all of you drummers to announce positively that the Realm of God is nearer than you think.
We begin with the oracle of ISAIAH 9:1-4, a song of praise for all of God’s graces, even to a people on the brink of war (c.740 BC). Already the northern lands (Zebulon & Naphtali) had yielded to the Assyrians, and Galilee was darkened by conquest. BUT “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”, and now they live in prosperity and the yoke of their burden has been broken by Divine Intercession. Here begins a “new” understanding of God’s inclusiveness: God has yet again entered history. Even in the face of the break-up of the Nation, a great light that shows the character of God dawns. For us moderns, we can bear all the system’s corruption, bathed in the light of God’s stubborn plan of redemption. Who will tell the system?
I CORINTHIANS 1:10-18 continues Paul’s greeting to the Church there, and addresses the question of Who Baptized Who. The congregation was bickering about who was better; Paul maintained that what was important is being baptized in JESUS’ name, whoever the officiant was. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel.” Instead of grumping around, the Church is reminded that making the good announcement was pre-eminent. St. Francis is reputed to have said, “Preach constantly; use words when necessary.”
The Gospel comes from MATTHEW 4:12-23, dealing with Jesus establishing a home-base in Capernaum, and the calling of his fisherman pals–Andrew & Simon, James & John. But tucked in the middle of this (v.17) comes the message of Christ: “Repent, for the kingdom of God has come near!” Turn around/rethink your path, hear the drummer that says that the reign of God is coming soon! This is not making an escape, but welcoming the divine change to our systems and cultures which is on track to happen. Not “SomeDay”, rather “just over the horizon”. Drop what you’re doing (mending fish-nets?) and get involved TODAY with this important announcement.
William Barclay helped my thoughts immensely, and steers us out with the following (THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, I, 87-88): “Reverse your direction, and stop walking away from God and begin walking towards God. The command had become urgently necessary because the reign of God was about to begin. Eternity had invaded time; God had invaded earth in Jesus Christ and therefore it was of paramount importance that each man and each woman should choose the right side and the right direction.”
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Every Tuesday we meet here to glean some direction from the Scriptures assigned to the upcoming weekend. Come join us at horacebrownking.com
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