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49. A People Walking In Darkness Have Seen A Great Light

Isaiah 9:1-3, Matthew 4:13-17
Key verse:  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 
Isaiah 9:2& Matthew 4:16

Jesus prepared to begin His ministry in a difficult place.  While Jesus was in the wilderness, John had managed to infuriate Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee, and the religious leadership, enough that he was closely watched for any sign of trouble.  John, you see, had been outspoken about Herod's illicit affair with Herodia, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.  Under such circumstances, you might think that Jesus would choose to go to a safe place to avoid some of the controversy that John had evidently stirred up.  But instead, in Galilee, just a few short miles from Herod's palace and the seat of his government, Jesus began his ministry in the teeth of a real political storm.  This dangerous situation was only amplified by Jesus’ close association with John, who was his cousin.  He was nowhere near hiding.

Besides that, as mentioned on an earlier day, Feb. 5, Galilee was not very well respected by the pure Jews who lived nearer to Jerusalem.  Galilee was not only surrounded by Gentiles but had many Gentiles living among them.  This was something that no self-respecting, good Jew would tolerate, let alone understand. 

Also, the people of the region of Galilee were considered weak and cursed.  They were part of the region that God had let go of seven hundred years earlier, through an Assyrian invasion, because of their blatant disobedience.  You can read more about that in 2 Kings 17.  At any rate, these people were not known as the deeply religious, dedicated Jews to whom God was supposed to appear.  They were called "a people walking in darkness" that God had rejected. 

Yet, to fulfill prophecy, while Isaiah tells us that they are rejected, Isaiah also promises that they will be given honor.  They were given that honor first when Joseph and Mary chose to come back home after fleeing to Egypt, for Jesus protection, when He was a toddler.  Now, Jesus continues to honor them.  He has come, to bring the knowledge that, "the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  And the "people walking in darkness have seen a great light." He brings his best, to the "worst" place first.

Much of Jesus' ministry would focus on this area of densely populated fishing villages.  Most of His disciples would come from this area, ignorant fishermen who were blessed by the light of Christ. 

Jesus came to make all things new, beginning with the rejected, despised, region of Galilee.  How like God to go where He is least expected and most needed.  How like God to go where the religious would not go.  How like Him we can be when we choose to do the same. 

 Prayer:

Hymn: "Shine, Jesus Shine"

 Tomorrow's Reading:

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