The Ministry of Jesus Begins
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Verse 15 refers to Isaiah 9:1-2
1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
2 The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
What is darkness? How can we describe it to someone who doesn't understand it? The definition of darkness is the total absence of light. Have you ever been in total darkness? Your eyes are wide open but you can't even see your hand in front of your face? What's worse is when you are disoriented in that total darkness and can't find a door or light switch. I had that happen one time. Panic sets in.
If we don't have Jesus in our life, we are living in darkness, we are living in sin, and that is a dark, lonely, disorienting place to be. When we invite Jesus to be a part of our life, the darkness flees. There can't be an absence of light if the Light of the World is in you.
He is the illumination, the brightness, the shining light, the gleaming brilliance. He guides us and lights the way. Jesus shows us who to be and how to live so we no longer have to live in the darkness and sin that once engulfed us.
If you feel like you are in the darkness, if you are having trouble finding your way, turn on the light that is Jesus and see where you should be.
Blessings, Cecilia
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