Matt.4:12-16 – Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:
“THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,
BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES—
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,
AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,
UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”
Matthew’s gospel is filled with Old Testament prophecies that are fulfilled in Christ. In today’s passage Matthew prefaces the beginning of the ministry of Jesus with this word from the book of Isaiah. He describes the world at the time of Christ as being a place of darkness, Matthew referred to this darkness as being the shadow of death. That’s what darkness is, it is death’s shadow indicating that the darkness of this world is just the edge of eternal darkness. The ministry of Jesus was a burst of light that pierced the darkness of that age. His words brought revelation light to all that believed. His words delivered those who had been held captive by the darkness of this world; the blind suddenly could see, the lame could walk, the lepers were cleansed, and even those bound by the spirit of darkness were liberated. The words from His mouth were like the dawning sun of a brand new day, the light had come and the world could never be the same. Here is how Matthew Henry describes this passage.
“Those who are without Christ are in the dark; in fact, they are darkness itself. The people of this land were sitting in this condition. Sitting is a continuing position; we intend to stay where we are sitting. It is a contented position; they were in the dark, and they loved darkness. Those who are in the dark because it is night may be sure that the sun will soon arise, but those who are in the dark because they are blind will not have their eyes opened so quickly. We have the light, but what good will that do us if we are not light in the LORD? When the Gospel comes, light comes; when it comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it makes day there. Light is revealing and guiding, and so is the Gospel.”
Today we could say America, like Galilee of old, is the land of the Gentiles (nations of the world) and the shadow of darkness has settled in upon our nation. Many have forsaken the church and many in the church have forsaken the Lord. That’s why today’s passage is so critical. In a time of darkness like this the light of the gospel is the only solution. It’s time for this generation to preach God’s word. It doesn’t have to be toned down to fit today’s culture, it must be preached in simplicity and power and then the light will dawn on this generation.