Matthew 4:12–17
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light.” – Matthew 4:16
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Our passage today describes an early part of Jesus’ ministry. After John’s arrest (v.12), Jesus departed for Galilee and settled in Capernaum, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali—the “Galilee of the Gentiles”—fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy centuries earlier. Isaiah 9:2 goes on to say, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (NKJV). This great light is, of course, our Lord Jesus.
A few things about Galilee are worth noting. It was fertile and densely populated, but it was also regarded as a place of lesser spiritual and religious influence compared with Jerusalem and Judea. It was a mixed Jewish and Gentile region, and was sometimes looked down upon by those in the religious centre.
Yet this was the place Jesus chose to begin His ministry. In the very place associated with darkness and spiritual disadvantage, the Light of Christ began to shine. Our Lord offered His light and direction to people living in darkness.
We who were once in darkness but now have seen the light should ask ourselves: in what area do we need our Lord’s light to shine more into our lives? How can I also bring this glorious light to those who need it? Lord, Sanctify and use me.
The 1st piece of light offered by our Lord Jesus is seen in v. 17: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. When you hear the word “repent”, what comes to mind? Is it someone crying over their sins? Someone ashamed of what they have done? Someone apologising to God and admitting their failure? If so, my dear brother or sister, our understanding of what Jesus meant by “repent” may be incomplete.
The Hebrew word for repentance is Shuv (verb) or Teshuva (noun), both of which carry the primary meaning of a change in direction: “to return, to turn back or to go in another opposite direction”. There is little emotion attached to the word. The implication then is that repentance is not primarily a feeling: it is a decision to move in a new direction; in this case, the direction that Jesus and His light are pointing us toward. The Greek word used in Matt 4:17 (metanoeite) carries a similar meaning: “change your mind,” with little emotion attached. To change our minds and follow the direction of the light that Jesus is revealing to us, instead of following our old ways.
Please excuse the pun, but in light of this understanding of the word “repent,” we need to recognise that repentance is not about how sorry you are, but about what direction you are walking in your life. As Christians, we therefore have to ask ourselves earnestly and honestly: Since becoming a Christian, have I been walking in the light of Jesus? Has my lifestyle or direction changed as the Bible dictates it should? Or have I been sorry to God on multiple occasions but not changed my direction in life? A change in the direction of their life is the key characteristic in a person who has repented.
God and Jesus call the whole world to repent. It starts with us, then with the people around us.
Prayer:
Dear Father, we thank you for sending your Son, our Lord Jesus, to Earth to show us the light of your ways. Please continue to sanctify us so that we might be vessels fit for use in your kingdom. Help us to discern the need for the light of those around us, and be willing to be an instrument for you to bring your light to them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Click to read passage
Our passage today describes an early part of Jesus’ ministry. After John’s arrest (v.12), Jesus departed for Galilee and settled in Capernaum, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali—the “Galilee of the Gentiles”—fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy centuries earlier. Isaiah 9:2 goes on to say, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (NKJV). This great light is, of course, our Lord Jesus.
A few things about Galilee are worth noting. It was fertile and densely populated, but it was also regarded as a place of lesser spiritual and religious influence compared with Jerusalem and Judea. It was a mixed Jewish and Gentile region, and was sometimes looked down upon by those in the religious centre.
Yet this was the place Jesus chose to begin His ministry. In the very place associated with darkness and spiritual disadvantage, the Light of Christ began to shine. Our Lord offered His light and direction to people living in darkness.
We who were once in darkness but now have seen the light should ask ourselves: in what area do we need our Lord’s light to shine more into our lives? How can I also bring this glorious light to those who need it? Lord, Sanctify and use me.
The 1st piece of light offered by our Lord Jesus is seen in v. 17: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. When you hear the word “repent”, what comes to mind? Is it someone crying over their sins? Someone ashamed of what they have done? Someone apologising to God and admitting their failure? If so, my dear brother or sister, our understanding of what Jesus meant by “repent” may be incomplete.
The Hebrew word for repentance is Shuv (verb) or Teshuva (noun), both of which carry the primary meaning of a change in direction: “to return, to turn back or to go in another opposite direction”. There is little emotion attached to the word. The implication then is that repentance is not primarily a feeling: it is a decision to move in a new direction; in this case, the direction that Jesus and His light are pointing us toward. The Greek word used in Matt 4:17 (metanoeite) carries a similar meaning: “change your mind,” with little emotion attached. To change our minds and follow the direction of the light that Jesus is revealing to us, instead of following our old ways.
Please excuse the pun, but in light of this understanding of the word “repent,” we need to recognise that repentance is not about how sorry you are, but about what direction you are walking in your life. As Christians, we therefore have to ask ourselves earnestly and honestly: Since becoming a Christian, have I been walking in the light of Jesus? Has my lifestyle or direction changed as the Bible dictates it should? Or have I been sorry to God on multiple occasions but not changed my direction in life? A change in the direction of their life is the key characteristic in a person who has repented.
God and Jesus call the whole world to repent. It starts with us, then with the people around us.
Prayer:
Dear Father, we thank you for sending your Son, our Lord Jesus, to Earth to show us the light of your ways. Please continue to sanctify us so that we might be vessels fit for use in your kingdom. Help us to discern the need for the light of those around us, and be willing to be an instrument for you to bring your light to them. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.