2. The Light of the World Shines in Galilee

Starting in Galilee

Matthew 4:12-17

Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. ¹³Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

¹⁵“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, ¹⁶the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”

¹⁷From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Luke 4:14-15

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. ¹⁵He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, ¹⁵and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”

Key Verses:

V16 – “the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron, because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke away their chains. (Psalms 107:10-14 WEB)

“I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations; to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison. (Isaiah 42:6-7 WEB)

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you. For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
(Isaiah 60:1-3 WEB)

NOTE:

THE TIMING:

Jesus didn’t begin his ministry until John had finished preparing the way. Just as one does not eat until the meal is prepared, or one does not build a house until the foundation is laid, or one does not drive on a road until the roadwork is finish.
God has perfect timing. If Jesus had started too soon, that would have confused and divided the people. John’s mission was to get the people ready for Jesus – not to be his rival.
Jesus started when he heard John was imprisoned, to carry on where John left off. The people were ready for him.
John had made people aware of their sins, but Jesus came to save us from our sins. But first we must repent.

THE PLACE:

It was not his home town of Nazareth, where he was rejected.
It was Capenaum, Galilee – a seaside town by the Sea of Tiberias, bordering Naphtali and Zebulun – where he made his headquarters.

THE PROPHECY