The four Gospels that begin the New Testament can be strange things to encounter. Each book is similar in some ways and different in others. They are like portraits, truth expressed in the creativity and nuance of each of the gospel writers. Matthew’s particular gospel highlights the work of Jesus on earth.
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
Matthew 4:12-23
In our passage, Jesus does not withdraw in order to take refuge. He withdraws in order to advance; to move forward the mission of God.
Jesus’ priority for us is to move. To bring God’s heavenly kingdom to earth.
What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven is God’s immediate and personal presence. Whenever and wherever we are in God’s presence, we are in heaven. And Jesus came to bring God’s personal presence to earth.
Heaven is far beyond reach, but Jesus is saying, “It’s here.” Heaven has come near.
To be in someone’s kingdom is to be under a particular rule. A place where a particular person’s priorities guide ours.
But God’s priorities are not the only one’s present on this earth. God planted the Kingdom’s flag in a war zone, a place where there is no neutral ground.
Most often when someone is surfing, they’re not actively surfing. They spend most of their time waiting. But when the wave finally does come, they move.
Jesus is less concerned with what we turn from, than he is with what we turn toward. But if we do not turn, we will miss the wave of God’s kingdom.
Repentance does not create the conditions for the Spirit to move, we respond to the Spirit’s invitations with movement.
And when we do, the movement of the Spirit brings us into the heart of a God who loves, heals, sees, and is closer to us than we are to ourselves.