December 15, 2022

Matthew 4:12-17  (HCSB)
Ministry in Galilee
12 When He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth behind and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the sea road, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles! 16 The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned. 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”

Andrea Campo
Matthew quotes Isaiah 9 by telling his readers that Jesus’ ministry in Galilee is the fulfillment of prophecy, that Jesus is the light that has come to this region. The unfaithful Jewish people suffered inevitable pagan influence of the Canaanites, which shrouded them in darkness. When John was arrested Jesus picked up where he left off. The gospel Jesus preached, and the gospel John preached began at the same place – with a call to repentance. Church family, do you realize that Jesus said, “you are the light of the world.” Our society is cloaked in the darkness of sin and YOU are the one He calls upon to take the light of truth and hope into the blackness around us. People can be forgiven of sin, because Jesus has paid the price for their sins, but how will they know if we don’t tell them?