Matthew 4:12-25
Wednesday, 2 March 2022
“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”- Matthew 4:16
The ministry of Christ Jesus begins on a dramatic note with a reference to Isaiah 9:2- a prophecy about the Messiah. In Isaiah, the promise was of the light of deliverance that would come, particularly in the dark regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, living in the darkness of sin and ignorance— looking forward to the birth of the Messiah. Here Matthew points to the fulfilment of the prophecy in Christ, appearing to a people who “sat in darkness”- in the miserable state of sin and ignorance, the shadow of death- light dawned on them! What a picture of the powerful ministry of Christ Jesus in the world!
A few more connected powerful phrases, images are seen in the Scripture relating to Christ the Light:
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Jesus declared it Himself in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world.” In the Genesis account we read of darkness hovering over the surface of the deep and God’s powerful words: “Let there be light” that physical light separated the light from darkness (Genesis 1). In the New Testament, Jesus came as light into this dark, fallen world of sin, reeling under its effects, to dispel darkness! John wrote in John 1:5 [NRSV] of Jesus: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Christ the Light of the world dispels darkness! In explaining His work Jesus said: “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)
THE TRUE LIGHT
John in introducing Jesus stated: That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1: 9). Light is equated to truth. See what John writes in 1 John 1:5-6: “… God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” So walking in darkness is not walking in truth. Jesus who spoke of Himself as “the Truth” (John 14:6) brought the light of truth. John 3:21 says: “But he who does the truth comes to the light…”
THE LIGHT OF LIFE
Jesus emphatically stated: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) In nature, we see that light is important for life. Sunlight is the source of many vital things for life to exist. In the imagery of Jesus as the light of life, we can understand that in Him we receive the very birth of eternal life, the sustenance of it and the guiding light to traverse this dark world until we reach eternity. In Malachi 4:2, we read of the “Sun of Righteousness” rising with healing in His wings. Another prophecy of Christ Jesus who vindicates those who have been made righteous in Him.
John wrote in John 1:4 of Jesus: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus in coming into the world as a human being, gave His life as a substitute for man, to ransom him from sin so that he can receive everlasting life! Jesus life brought life to man –at his reach so he can walk out of the shadow of the darkness of sin and death. It is freely available even today to those who reach to take it from Him, in trusting Him as the Light of life!
Dear reader/listener, have you had an encounter with the True Light? He wants to fill you with His life-giving light- in order that you will receive His abundant life in you which will extend to eternity. Would you?
Think on: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. “ (Ephesians 5:8)
Comments