Matthew 4 - The Light

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Jesus, having heard that John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, decided to move. I wonder if His move was to escape His possible capture? Capernaum wasn't a little back water town. Jesus chose a bustling sea side community to make his home. Perhaps He moved so that a larger audience could hear His message. In Capernaum Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah recorded in Isaiah 9:1-2. "The people living in darkness have seen a great light"

The people of Capernaum were living without the light of God - in the darkness of their sin.

Jesus was the great Light.

This reminds me of Eugene Peterson's rendition of John 1:14 in the Message ...

14 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.

Jesus, the light of the world, moved into the neighbourhood of Capernaum. And from there His ministry - His light - shone brightly as He proclaimed John's message of repentance; as He called others to join in spreading His message.

At this time of Advent we remember Jesus' birth; the dawning of the Light of the world! Christmas lights and candles remind us of this and also remind us that we too are to allow Christ's light to shine through us.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul writes:

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:8-20

I wonder if my neighbourhood knows about The Light? I wonder if I am a clear vessel for God's Light to shine through?

May we shine today - each day - bringing light to the darkness around us; helping others to know the Light of the World!


A light came out of darkness, no light, no hope had we
Till Jesus came from glory, our light and hope to be