A Light Change

Monday after Epiphany

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Gospel of Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what he had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:  ' .....the people sit in the darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.' From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,"Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."

A Light Change  Have you ever sat at a traffic light for what seemed like hours waiting for the red light to change?  You see cars moving at other corners of the intersection.  The traffic piles up behind you.  Impatiently you think, "Come on, stupid light!  Why won't you turn green?"  A driver in the lane next to you begins to creep forward as if preparing to floor the gas at any moment.  You can't understand why the light is so long..........

The Jewish people waited for centuries for the arrival of the Messiah.  Like sitting at a red light listening to talk radio, they heard stories from Isaiah prophesying the arrival of a Savior, an Emmanuel.  Darkness replaced by Light.  Would this light be the second coming of Elijah?  Was this light John the Baptist?  No, the light would soon be Jesus Christ!

A  yellow light motions drivers to use caution driving through an intersection since a red "stop" light will appear in a few seconds. Jesus saw a cautionary yellow in John's arrest.  John's murder would be like a traffic light suddenly turning red signally STOP.  The message of the the old covenant had reached an end.  The New covenant begins!  The  "green light" of Christ announced to the world:  the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  

Will the Jewish people welcome Christ?  Will they repent from their sinful ways?  Will they understand what the kingdom of heaven means?

Spirits of Deceit   From the First Letter of John we are warned: 
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world...

Who are false prophets?  They can be spirits of deceit.  They promise riches, fame, and glory.  They promise endless comfort and freedom.  They guarantee pleasures and delights. Just a little money is all you need to look and feel great!  In today's modern world, false prophets are alive and well  tempting us with what seems to be truths but are only allusions, sometimes with terrible consequences:

The Beauty Advertising Marketer: "This youth cream will diminish wrinkles and make you look like you're in your 20s again!"  

The Drug Dealer: "You'll feel so much better after a taste of this very exclusive drug blend.  Best high you've ever felt in your life!"

The Plastic Surgeon: "Yes, I can take up a little of the nose here.  Give you a tummy tuck there.  Augmentation will look great on you.  Your body will be well-preserved and look beautiful once again!"

The Psychic Reader:  "My tarot cards say you will acquire immense wealth in the New Year."

Satan himself:  "Ahhh.....You are a follower of God I see?  Well, I'm allowed to tempt you in many ways through consumerism and materialism.  I love when your hearts become lustful and prideful.  I love when you're in debt to your eyeballs, turn to gambling for fun.  I love that you're addicted to everything under the "heavenly son" (LOL...) from porn to alcohol to drugs.  False prophets are so easy to place on earth.  Humans are gullible enough to fall for all the trash.  Haha...."  

Yikes!  Seems to me in modern-day life "false prophets" are more extensive than ever!!  Just look at what happens to people when they turn away from Christ.  Their lives often hit rock bottom.  They are confused, lonely, and helpless.  It's as if the unbeliever  drives through a "green light" for miles and miles!  Not the green light of Christ, but the green light of false pleasures.  No yellow caution light.  No stop light!  Their lives speed out of control as if driving in an endless circle on the Nascar racetrack!  

Let's STOP for a moment and think of ways we can repent and turn toward the light of Christ!  Are we worshiping the false prophets of materialism, consumerism, and addiction?  Are we obsessed with money and fame?  Do we recognize Christ's light surrounding us?  

It's time for the light to change.  Are we ready to go and follow Christ?

-J.