Epiphany 3a 2026; 25 Jan.
Matt. 4:12-23; Jack Hardaway
SIMPLE
We make things complicated.
When they aren’t.
We distract, we divert, we redirect, we justify to avoid simplicity.
There is this great turn of phrase in the addiction recovery movement, “Keep it simple stupid.”
The Gospel. It is simple. It is for everyone, not just for the people who like to make it complicated.
We hear the message today in the call of the disciples who were fishing and mending nets, and then they weren’t.
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Another way to say it, “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”
Or, “Change your hearts; for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”
Or this, “Change your purpose, since the kingdom of the skies has come near,”
The simple message of conversion and God’s closeness with the arrival of Jesus.
Live like God is right here with you right now.
What does that kind of conversion look like?
Do good. Be kind. That is salvation.
Whatever stops us from that simplicity, give it up. No time. Too busy. Too angry. Too scared. Too confused. Too much political baggage. Too much church baggage. Stop it. No more excuses. Do good. Be kind. The kingdom of the skies is upon us.
See the world like that.
An old friend reminded me of this this past week.
I would add that Jesus sets us free to do good, and be kind.
But that might be too many words.
The simplicity of salvation: goodness and kindness.
No saying or thinking the right words.
Just a life that is lived walking in goodness and kindness.
The witness of the cross brings goodness and kindness to those who justify brutality and indifference. Bringing salvation to the lost, to those who find complicated reasons to excuse cruelty.
Keep it simple stupid.
(Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free, tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, and when we find ourselves in that place just right twill be the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained to bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed, to turn, turn will be our delight till by turning, turning we come round right.)