To read the texts click on the texts:1Jn 3:22 – 4:6; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
The arrest of John the
Baptist is the occasion for Jesus to withdraw. However, the withdrawal of Jesus
is not one from fear or cowardice, but in keeping with his view of a
non-violent kingship. Jesus will not retaliate or react. He remains always the
actor, not the reactor.
The reason why Matthew has
Jesus settle in Galilee is because of its association with Gentiles as is
evident in the fifth formula or fulfilment quotation in Matthew’s Gospel which
here is from Isaiah. In Isaiah the context is the reversal which will occur in
the latter days, when the spiritual darkness of
While in Mark the first
words that Jesus speaks consist of his proclamation, this is not the case in
Matthew. Jesus speaks first with John the Baptist and during the temptations
responds to Satan. However, the first public words that Jesus speaks in Matthew
are found here. They consist of an imperative based on an indicative. The
imperative is the call to “Repent”. The reason for this repentance is that the
kingdom of heaven is here or has already arrived. The text therefore explicates
that no one can do anything or need do anything to bring about the kingdom. No
amount of effort on the part of human beings can result in the coming of the
kingdom. The reason for this is that it has already come and is given as a free
gift to all of humankind. The proper response to the arrival of the kingdom is
receiving it with all humility and simplicity and openness and receptivity. A
change of mind, heart and vision is what is required to receive the kingdom as
a free gift from God. Since the kingdom that Jesus brings is one that has never
been experienced before, a narrow mind with a stereotypical way of looking at
God and the world will not be able to comprehend it, thus the new mind.
Many of us still think that
it is our good deeds which are responsible for our salvation and that if we
continue to do good and be good, we will have earned eternal life. This is a
warped way of understanding God, Jesus and his message. Our God in Jesus is not
a God who is a grocer or one who deals with us as in barter exchange. Salvation
can never be earned or bought by our goodness. Rather, our goodness is a
consequence of our salvation.
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