. . . 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.” 

Matthew 4:16 

Matthew 4:12-17; Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 5:13-16

Recurrent Thought

      As a Christ-devoted follower I am the light of the world; therefore, I must shine. I am a city on a hill; I am a beacon of light for all to see.

Jesus is the bringer of light into the darkness of humanity. He wants you to do the same. This text makes us to see as prophesied,  Jesus Christ brings changes wherever he goes. However, we also know that Jesus has also called and challenged every Christ-devoted follower to be the light of the World. 

Background to His Movement

• When we harmonize the Gospels, there are few activities that should be put between the end of His Temptations and His preaching in Galilee. 
• He had already been introduced by John the Baptiser at the River Jordan (John 1:29) and thereafter led into the wilderness to be tempted. 
• On his return he returned into Nazareth where He read his Manifesto in the Synagogue (Luke 4: 18ff) and later on rejected by the People of Nazareth (Luke 4:29). He lest Nazareth. Christ will not stay long where he is not welcome.
• During this time he also hears that John the Baptiser has been beheaded. He decides to go into seclusion 
• He then moves from Nazareth to Capernaum, a Lakeshore, by the lake of Galilee (Gennesaret, Tiberias). 
• He makes this his place of dwelling. We are not told whose residence he used. He sets up his headquarters of his early ministry phase. From here he later on gets most of his disciples from within this region
• Nazareth rejected him, Capernaum celebrated him. We must know that If some reject Christ, yet others will receive him, and gladly welcome him.
• And by sheer numbers Nazareth was a very small town, while Capernaum was a thriving town with crossroads to it. 

Prophetic Background to His Movement 

• Mathew 4:14-16 quotes Isaiah 9:1-2 which spoke of the people of Israel under the captivity of the Assyrians (2 Kings 15:29). It was a terrible time for Israel, a dark time.
• The lands of Zebulon and Naphtali where northern regions that became the passage for the marching Assyrian armies when going to conquer Samaria and Jerusalem
• In this fulfillment, Mathew stresses the latter part of the Prophecy which speaks of the return of the light of liberty and prosperity to those countries that had been in the darkness of captivity, and applies it to the appearing of the gospel among them.
• When we look into extended passage in Isaiah, we find a messianic chapter where a Messiah is prophesied to be a deliverer, who brings the light into the worst times of Israel and predicts that he would be the son of David who shall usher in the Kingdom of God. 

His movement brings prophecy into fulfillment revealing Him (Jesus) as person with the capacity to bring light, deliverance and liberty to the land encompassed by darkness.

Out of this Passage we want to outline Three Elements to sharing the Light of the Gospel in the places of our dwelling.

1. Notice People Everywhere Dwelling in Darkness, 
   • The prophecy states that the people living in these regions lived in darkness; at this stage it was darkness of heavy slavery
   • These people are described as living dangerously. They were in the region of shadow of death, which means being in great danger. 
   • The people who dwelt in darkness also likely loved darkness and they could have chosen darkness instead of the Light.
   • Many who live in the dark are willing ignorant People. But worse still are people who sit in darkness in the midst of gospel-light all around them.
     
     The Reality of our Times
      
   • Similarly, most people we dwell among, are in deep spiritual darkness. Those without Christ are in darkness. 
   • The metaphor in the text is very compelling! Imagine People dwelling in darkness itself. The Region is full of darkness.
   • Where we live is full of darkness; The people we live among are full of darkness.
   • The darkness is expressed in all forms of activities, you and I are witnesses to the debauchery of the dark in our times.
   • The Sad reality is that the darkness we see shall grow worse. The Scriptures prophesies of the wickedness of the last days (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
2. Notice the Difference Christ Brings to Situations of Darkness
   • Because Jesus came and dwelt among them, they saw a great light which revived them.
   • This is the light of the Gospel, because Jesus preached the message of repentance.
   • Notice that Light leads to discovering things, it is directing; so is the gospel it makes you discover Jesus, discover  his grace and mercy for You. It also makes you discover yourself .
   • This light is great, it is not a small but powerful light changing the very core of one’s life.
     
     You too are the Answer
      
   • Just as Jesus brought the difference where he dwelt. You too must bring the difference in your community (friends, family, etc)
   • People living in darkness in your region must see a great light.
   • Jesus is the greater light, you are a lesser light, which is nevertheless a powerful light for it draws from the Light of Jesus
3. Notice that the Light is Presented through the Words of the Gospel
   • Jesus preached the message of the Kingdom; the same one John the Baptiser preached.
   • Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; Remember whatever the era or season, the substance of the gospel remains the same.
   • The Message literally means “The Kingdom of God is at hand, at the door.”  It is announcing that the  the active reign of Yahweh has come; and it has come through Jesus.
   • This was his first message and it was the same for the apostles. By the way, this is what they preached often. They spoke of how to enter the kingdom of God.
   • We have the same Gospel; The kingdom of God is at hand, let the people repent, turn around and find mercy. 
     
     You too should Preach the Gospel of Repentance
         
   • Don’t dwell on your Opinions, instead, persuade people to repent and turn to God.
   • The message carries the power of the Great Light. Within its simplicity, the Gospel contains the power to change lives.
   • Within the Gospel comes the power to impact your any person, and all communities.                                                        

Altar Time

• As I am a light to my community, to my friends, and relatives, Lord, Let me Shine.