The Light That Shines In The Darkness

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:  ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matthew 4:12-17)  In this season of epiphany, we celebrate Christ’s glory; how he is the light that shines in the darkness.  And, so he goes to Galilee, to a people of whom Isaiah spoke.  They were a people who sat in the ongoing gloom of being lost – of not knowing the truth of the all-powerful God who cared for them.  I love the way Matthew says it: Jesus “made his home” there.  It was not a short-term mission trip; not a little journey to see “how the other half live.”  No, he made his home there!  Let that sink in for a moment.  Two thoughts: first, if you have ever felt (or feel) that you are in a dark place, take a minute to recall who your neighbor is; just who it is that has moved in next door.  That would be Jesus, the Lord of Glory!  And second, why are you and I so often afraid to enter into the dark places of this world if we actually believe that we will find Jesus there along with those who are hurting and lost?  Perhaps it is time for the church to follow its Savior into Zebulon and Naphtali and wherever else there are children to be fed and sinners to be offered the Good News of a Lord so glorious that he makes the bleakest gloom into dazzling brightness.