THE LIGHT HAS COME

Matt.4:15-17 – “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles:

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,

And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death

Light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Israel at the time of the birth of Christ would have to be categorized as a land of darkness. This nation with such a rich spiritual history had been overtaken by the Romans. Jesus was born in the times of darkness in a land of darkness. He was born in an insignificant town called Nazareth in Galilee, not a place to start a world wide movement. Here is a comment from Brian Simmons on Galilee.

“Light is a common name for the Messiah in rabbinical literature. It speaks of both Christ and the revelatory teaching he brings. The Aramaic word for Galilee (Galeela) means “revelation of God.” Jesus was raised and ministered in the land of the “revelation of God.”

Today’s scripture describes light coming into the world in Galilee, the place of the revelation of God. This light that emanates from Jesus is the light of revelation. In His light we begin to see clearly. We see the beauty and greatness of the Lord, His amazing creation, and the incredible plan of salvation for the world streaming in this light. The life and ministry of Jesus is saturated with this light. Again, Brian Simmons shares about Christ, the Light of the World.

“This glorious light includes Jesus’ teachings, his miracles, and his pure life lived before the Father. Jesus Christ is a light of rescue for the lost, comfort for the hurting, wholeness for the broken, and escape for the captive. It is the light of joy, the light of revelation, the light of deliverance. Jesus’ birth signals an end of night and the beginning of morning.”

Today we can feel the darkness trying to strengthen itself by controlling the world system that we live in. This darkness is effecting the very fabric of our nation; our schools, churches, and political system. The contrast between light and darkness is even more evident in these dark times, the result is that the message of Christ stands out even more. Those that are born again now serve as lights in the darkness; let your light shine that the world may know.