Matt 4:12-17 Light In The Darkness Series

Matthew 412 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Galilee- which refers to the whole northern region, that region that 750 years ago had been swallowed up by Assyria. And Nazareth – where Jesus grew up - which was in the ancient territory of Zebulun. And Capernaum, where Jesus is now relocating to, which is by the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and in the ancient territory of Naphtali. And even though by this time, many Jews had since returned to the region of Galilee, it still by Jesus’ time remained a mixed area, an area where both Jews and Gentiles lived. And because of that, it wasn’t considered as very Jewish or as good as the southern areas around Jerusalem and in the area of Judea. A bit of hicks-ville I suppose, not the real McCoy. True Blue Jews lived down in Jerusalem and Judea, and they looked down on those in Galilee, with their history, and the mixed population of Gentiles of Jews. And was therefore still known as Galilee of the Gentiles. And it would have seemed odd to any self-respecting Jew, that the Messiah should come from up there – from Galilee. It was expected that the Messiah would appear in Judea, somewhere a bit more pure and holy than Galilee.

But Matthew reminds us - not so. Actually the Old Testament prophesied - Isaiah the prophet - 750 years beforehand, prophesied that it would be in this very place, Galilee of the Gentiles, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, the place of darkness, the region under the shadow of death. In this very place the light would shine! They would see a great light! Which is why Matthew writes:

Matthew 414 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles

16 the people dwelling in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

on them a light has dawned.

In other words, Jesus grew up and initially ministered in these very same areas, that were foretold 750 years before would see a great light! And Matthew is also declaring

that this great light, this hope, that they have been waiting 750 years for, has now come! Isn’t that marvellous! Isn’t that wonderful! The light has dawned! Now that’s good news. Not just good news for Galileans. not just good news for those in Zebulun and Naphtali, in Nazareth and Capernaum, but that’s good news for Afghanistan! For Libya! For Yemen! For Japan! Good news for all those who dwell in darkness today, in the shadow of death.

But what about us in Australia? Austrlia is no Afghanistan, Libya or Somalia. In fact the United Nations says that Australia is the 2nd most livable country in the world! I mean, we have it all. A developed country – high standard of living. Democracy and freedom. Great education system, great climate. Beaches, great lifestyle. No wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, oppressive dictatorships. Certainly not a land dwelling in darkness and under the shadow of death.