Matthew 4:13-16…Ready

Matthew 4:13-16…Ready

 Leaving Nazareth, (Having been rejected by His own towns people.-Luke 4:14-30) he went and lived in Capernaum, (A fishing village on the Northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Adopted by Jesus as home base for His ministry.) which was by the lake (Galilee) in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. –(A region of land allotted to Two of the Twelve Tribes of Israel as they entered the promised land.)14 to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: (700 years earlier. Isaiah 9:1-2) 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, (Galilee) along the Jordan, (beyond the Jordan-K.J.V. Either “Perea” or the “Decapolis”-[Grk.-“Ten-cities”] Galilee of the Gentiles. —(Non-Jews living in the northern part of Galilee, chiefly the cities of Tyre & Sidon.) 16 the people living (settling, residing, abiding. Denotes the whole course of one’s life, in which every action is a step towards that everlasting state to which we are journeying.) in darkness (Spiritual darkness, sin, hopelessness, ignorance, despair, depravity.) have seen a great light; (Christ, God’s truth, grace, mercy, forgiveness, Salvation, hope, eternal life.) on those living in the land of the shadow of death (Eternal death/damnation, God’ judgment/wrath) a light has dawned.” (Dawning of Christ’s ministry and Saving work.)

Continued From Book

“Displays the Saving light of Christ in seeking & rescuing those who are lost in the darkness of sin and hopelessness.”⇔ So what will you do with Jesus, the light of the world? Will you trust in Christ’s death on the cross that can defeat the true darkness of sin, death, and hell. Or will you stay in the dark, too embarrassed in what Jesus might find; “I don’t want the light touch that! It’s too much. Too humiliating, Too shameful, Too disgraceful”. (cf. John 1:4-9, 3:19, 8:12, 12:46, 14:6)

“Teaches no matter how dark and bleak things look, we have the light of Christ to give us hope.” ⇔ Christ’s Light does not dispel the darkness completely, it just gives us hope amidst the darkness. That darkness isn’t the only way. We can follow a different path of peace in the midst of this dark world. Everyone who chooses to accept Christ’s Divine Light in their lives will never despair of any darkness we see around us. We may suffer from the darkness, but we know through Christ we can overcome it. We can overcome the darkness of ignorance by living in the light of His Word and truth. We can overcome the darkness of sin and evil by living in the light of God’s goodness. We can overcome the darkness of hatred and violence by living in the light of divine forgiveness and mercy. We can overcome the darkness of death by living in the light of Christ’s resurrection and victory! (Note: God’s light doesn’t make the darkness any less dark; it just conquers every shadow with something brighter. Christ’s light gives us whole new perspective on the world and our hope for the future. For those of us who believe and follow Jesus Christ as the Light of the World we will never be afraid of darkness again! That with Christ Jesus there’s always a brighter day ahead!) (John 1:4)

“Displays the Saving light of Christ for the lost and forsaken who were thought to be beyond all hope.” ⇔ God shines His light on those that the world might consider god-forsaken. God shines His light on those that the world might suppose had been given up on by God, and for good reason. They are committed sinners—that is when they sin, they go all out. They have hardened their hearts and thumbed their nose at God. Yet they were not given up on by God, and saw the bright light of Jesus and were Saved! I have seen Satanist and devil worshipers who were thought to be given up on by God, who brought into the Saving light of Christ. I have seen drug addicts and alcoholics who were thought to be given up on by God who brought into the Saving light of Christ. I have seen homosexuals, pedophiles,  and lifelong criminals who were thought to be given up by God who brought into the Saving light of Christ. I have even seen atheists who denied that God existed, who ended up finding Jesus, because they caught a glimpse of Jesus’ light.

“Displays the piercing power of Christ’s light in getting to the darkest corners of our lives.” ⇔ Jesus is not afraid to enter the darkest places of our hearts. Just as Light permeates into every crack and crevice, so too Jesus pierces the dark corners of our lives. Where there’s gloom and despair, Jesus radiates hope and joy. Where there’s guilt and shame, Jesus radiates grace and forgiveness. Where there’s doubt and confusion, Jesus radiates hope and truth. Where there’s anger and hate, Jesus radiates peace and love. Where there’s bondage and addiction, Jesus radiates freedom and deliverance. Where there’s pain and suffering, Jesus radiates healing and wholeness.

“Teaches if were to receive the Saving Light Christ, we need to see our lost and hopeless condition.” ⇔ As we read these words, “People living in darkness have seen a great light” and “Those living in the shadow of death a light has dawn”. Do we understand the burdens we all carry because of our sins? Do we understand our need to be Saved. That we all part of the human condition, living in the darkness of sin and shut out of God’s good and loving presence. If you don’t see yourself living in sin and darkness, you won’t see a need of a Savior or understand your desperate need for God.

If you don’t see yourself living in sin and darkness, you won’t see a need of a Savior or understand your desperate need for God.

“Teaches how we can’t get out of the darkness on our own, it takes an outside source to help us and His name is Jesus.” ⇔ We can’t fix ourselves or dispel the darkness on our own. Like a flashlight, our actions can sometimes cut a small beam of light through the darkness. But our actions can never remove the darkness completely. Moral and Social reforms can help society, but it will never dispel the darkness. Recovery programs (AA/Twelve steps) might get you clean and sober, but it won’t dispel the darkness. Prisons can try to reform and rehabilitate a criminal, but it can’t dispel the darkness. Having a positive and optimistic attitude is good. But positivity can’t dispel the darkness. Coming together to work for the common good is a great idea, but it won’t dispel the darkness. Going to therapy and counseling might be good for your mental health, but it can’t dispel the darkness. Going to Church can be spiritually uplifting and give you a sense of belonging, but it won’t dispel the darkness. Doing good deeds of charity and volunteer work can be good for the community, but it won’t dispel the darkness. The reason why positivity and hard work can’t dispel the darkness is because nothing we do can take away our sin problem inherited from Adam & Eve. The only hope we have is in Jesus who came to carry out God’s Saving plan by bringing forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Who has become our righteousness, our peace, and our joy.

“Calls for sharing the light of Christ with those who are lost in darkness. Will you bring the light of the Gospel into the darkest corners of someone’s life.” ⇔ Someone who is struggling with sin, addiction, and depression. Letting them know they can be healed and set free by Jesus. In all our endeavors, let us seek to reflect the light of Jesus in the dark corners of someone else’s life. Whether it’s just a get-well card to a sick friend, a phone call, a smile in line at the grocery, being a mentor for a student, attending a graveside service in support of a grieving family. As you go out into the darkness let the light of Christ go with you through your forgiveness, through your little acts of kindness and love. Will you pray, Lord, make me an instrument of your light. Where there is darkness, let me shine light; Where there is hatred, let me shine love; where there is injury, let me shine forgiveness; where there is doubt, let me shine faith; where there is despair, let me shine hope; where there is sadness, let me shine joy. Amen!

Even today, maybe you feel like your life is empty and hopeless. Maybe your wondering if there is ever going to be a way of this pain, this suffering, this darkness. If you’re here today there’s good news! Jesus is waiting to bring light and hope into your life. He didn’t just do this for people 2000 years ago. He is still in the business of turning peoples’ lives around today.

“In context Isaiah speaks about the dark days ahead for the northern kingdom of Israel who will be exiled and taken into captivity by the king of Assyria for their unfaithfulness to God in turning to pagan idols.-(2-Kings 17:1-6) But Isaiah also speaks of a bright future of salvation and deliverance where they would be led out of captivity and returned to Israel. Matthew sees the ultimate fulfilment in Jesus’ Galilean ministry.

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches how we can face and overcome anything with God’s light. When there appears to be no future and no way out, God gives the comfort of His Gospel. With Jesus in our lives we can overcome even the darkest times and worst conditions. Know that even when there’s darkness all around, Jesus will shine a light to give us a pathway through it. Even in suffering and hardship, Jesus will shine a light to give us hope. Even when questions remain, Jesus will shine a light to keep us believing and trusting. When you’ve gone over to that dark place and think there’s no way back , say a prayer: Jesus, light of the world, shine on us, shine on me and lead me to a better and brighter way.

Teaches how Jesus is a great light that can drive out the darkness of the world around us. Jesus can drive out the darkest events of natural disasters, earthquakes, famines, and diseases. Jesus can drive out the devastating events of war, murder, divorce, cancer, abuse. Jesus can even drive out the darkness in our own hearts be it sin, guilt, anger, hate, fear, doubt, grief, sorrow, bitterness, etc.

Teaches how Jesus is our only path to right thinking and right living. As we open the doors and receive Jesus as the light of life. We begin to see life differently. Jesus drives away the darkness of wrong thinking, and lets us see things more clearly. Jesus shows us what we ought to be, and how were to live. Jesus shows us where bad things are so we can avoid them. Jesus shows us the right way to go. With Jesus you’ll find a correct perspective for your distorted views. Where the Gospel of Christ prevails, spiritual life is inspired, and the moral disorders of the soul give place to health and vigor.

Warns how without Christ’s light to lead people they can walk in immorality, that they don’t know that what there doing is evil and wrong. (4:13-16)

Teaches how when we invite the Lord into our lives we can face things with joy and courage no matter how dark things get.- (4:13-16)

Displays the good news how in Christ we can drop our disguises and pretenses. We don’t have to pretend that we’re perfect any longer. We can stop playing the game, and we can simply thank Him for taking the time to come into this world to rescue us. (4:13-16)

Displays the mercy of God in Saving the heretic, legalist, and the self-righteous. Those who have fallen into error. Though they may have denied the Deity of Christ, though they may have doubted the inspiration of Scripture, though they have denied the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Though they may have fallen into many traps and pitfalls of false doctrine, legalism, work-righteousness, yet the Divine light can find them and bring them out of it.

Teaches how the greatest remedy for the griefs and sorrows of life is found in Christ Jesus and the Gospel.

–Capernaum- A fishing village that laid on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. The city would be adopted by Jesus as home base for most of His ministry. Though the precise location of the city is unknown, most agree that the remains of the 3^rd century Synagogue excavated at “Tell Hum” was build on the original site. Ancient remnants of a early Church was also found there. Capernaum may have been chosen because places like Jerusalem, though ideal, being the center of government, center of power, and the center of religious influence, it would make it a harder place to break through the religious mindset. Capernaum was a place where there were farmers and fishermen, not theologians. Capernaum was probably chosen because it would allow Jesus to remain largely outside the orbit of Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. There were also many advantages for Jesus choosing this area.   Capernaum was a strategic location, being a major trade route, by land or by the Sea [Galilee]. Capernaum was also made up of different spheres of society and industry, so it offered plenty of people both Jews and Gentiles the opportunity to hear Jesus’ message. It was also the home and work place of many of Jesus’ future disciples; Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew the tax collector. Many high ranking Jewish and Roman officials also resided in Capernaum, including Jarius a Synagogue ruler who’s daughter Jesus raised from the dead-(Mark 5:41-42 ) A Roman Centurion officer who’s servant Jesus healed.-(Matt. 8:5-13)

-Darkness-Meaning: Not a literal darkness, that they couldn’t see where they were going, or they just didn’t get a lot of sunlight there, but more of a moral and spiritual darkness. Throughout the Bible, ‘darkness’ is a symbol for all that is sinful and evil in the world. Darkness signifies a state of ignorance, like a veil, darkness continues upon our hearts until the light of the Gospel of Christ shines into our minds. Darkness brought us under the wrath and judgment of God. “The wages of sin is death.”-(Rom. 6:23) Darkness also represents Satan and his kingdom. Satan is called the “Prince of darkness”.-(Eph. 2:2, 6:12) Darkness is the state of the world inherited from Adam & Eve when they rebelled against God. When Adam sinned, mankind and all of creation was plunged into a world of deep darkness, forever separated from God. We see the effects of darkness in war, crime, violence, poverty, corruption, drugs, sickness, and death. We see darkness in broken homes and families, in domestic violence and spousal abuse. We see darkness in a world of immorality and depravity, and many other kinds of evil. We see darkness in a culture that thinks homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion, profanity, disrespect for authorities is “O.K.”  We see darkness in ourselves. In a heart that is filled with envy, strife, anger, hatred, greed, pride, selfishness, bitterness, and lust. We see darkness in cults and false religions; Scientology, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism, etc. We see darkness in wrong thinking. It’s the Darkness of thinking you’re free, when you’re not. It’s the darkness in thinking your fine that there’s nothing wrong with you, when there is. It’s the darkness in thinking sin is normal. What was once unacceptable just 50 years ago is considered to be perfectly acceptable and normal today. It’s the Darkness in thinking you can solve your own problems and save yourself if you try hard enough. It’s the darkness in thinking you can overcome your problems through earthly solutions – government, money, science, technology, innovation, intellect – but these all fail. It’s the darkness of convincing ourselves that people are naturally good; that things will get better. Walking in darkness has consequences. If you walk in “darkness” long enough it will eventually take hold, and once it does it’s hard to break free. If you don’t know Christ Jesus you’ll always be in the darkness, forever groping and grasping, stumbling and searching, looking for something and someone to fill the void. We will constantly try to fix ourselves and fix life by things that do not get at our real need! The saddest thing is that most people are insensitive to their sad and ruined state—and they’re going to stay in the dark forever—unless God’s light shines on them. If you still think your human brokenness, sin and sadness, flows merely from bad luck, bad upbringing, bad genes, bad chemistry, and bad circumstances, then Jesus will not be much of an answer for you. Jesus said; “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”-(Mark 2:17) Jesus is saying if you think you are “OK” I can’t heal you! He can’t do anything for any of us until we are awakened to our desperate need of Him.  But if you truly understand that your personal brokenness and inner dissatisfaction are caused by sin and a broken union with God, then Jesus is the best news you could ever hear! It is people who realize they are in darkness to whom Jesus is a great light! (Note: This attitude of desperate need is NOT just for those who come to Christ for the first time. We must recognize our need to continually feed ourselves on Christ, to continually seek His light, to draw upon His guidance and direction every day. It is abiding IN Jesus and His Light that darkness is expelled, sin is overcome, and our brokenness is healed.)

-Light- meaning: Beyond the physical and natural elements of light as in the sun, moon, and stars. Or the artificial light of lamps.  Light in the Bible symbolizes spiritual illumination and truth. Light encompasses all that is pure, holy, and good. Light is often seen as a symbol of hope, goodness, wisdom, and knowledge. Light characterizes God Himself, the source of all truth.-(1-John 1:5) God is not just a light or a kind of light; He is light itself.-(cf. John 1:5) All light comes from God. At the beginning of creation God created the light to dispel the darkness and chaos over all the earth.-(cf. Gen. 1:3-4) Our future residency with God in Heaven will be full of light.-(cf. Rev. 21:23, 22:5) Light also uncovers and reveals what is hidden.-(1-Corn. 4:5) We shouldn’t think of Christ like a flashlight that shines in your face to blind and embarrass you. Christ’s Light is not a condemning light. It’s not light which shows us our misery only to leave us without hope, or shows us what we ought to be, but gives us no power to attain it! Christ comes as a Light that reveals the love, mercy, and pardon of God. Christ comes as a Light through the Cross that gives us hope. Christ  comes as the light of life. That we might have life, and have it more abundantly.-(John 10:10) Christ comes as a Light of Salvation by shattering the darkness of sin and death through His life, death, and resurrection, “Because I live, ye shall live also.”-(John 14:19) We turn from Darkness to Light by repenting and receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, that we are sinners who need to be Saved. (Note: Though the Light of Christ’ work is not yet complete. Salvation is that first glimmer of light from around the corner of a dark tunnel. As the carol goes, “Radiant beams from His holy face is the dawn of redeeming grace.” The light has dawned, but the day is not here yet. Soon, and very soon, God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We still walk in the land of deep darkness, waiting, longing, hoping for the light, our final redemption and resurrection of our bodies. Amen!)

Note: Some see the term “living in darkness” as those who have resigned themselves to their fate. They “sat in darkness,” out of despair; they had striven for the light, but had not found it, and so they gave up all hope. Their disappointed hearts told them that they might as well spare those fruitless efforts, and therefore sat down in hopelessness. Why should they make any more petitions? If God would not hear their prayers, why should they pray any longer? Others see “living in darkness” as those that have reached a state of insensibility and indifference, that they’re fine just the way they are. Some are comfortably slumbering in ignorance. They don’t really want the light of Christ because His light wakes them up and makes them aware of some things they perhaps do not want to be made aware of. (Very often what people need the most is what they want the least.) Some have decided it’s easier to live in the darkness and not have to endure all the work and struggles that goes along with being a Christian. Others have allowed their spiritual eyes to grow so accustomed to the darkness they think it’s the “New normal”. That the dark all around them is the way things are supposed to be. People have gotten so used to that kind of faulty reasoning in our society that they have deluded themselves into thinking that sin is subjective. Right and wrong are defined by whatever works for you. What you see as sin, may not be what I see as sin.

Notice how in the passage of Isaiah it is written as an accomplished fact, as if it had already happened, “have seen a great light”, of course, there were many centuries of darkness ahead. Even after that Light of the Gospel dawned on this world, there is still plenty of darkness around us. So, this text is a call to faith and hope. Even during the calamity that lasted for years, Israel trusted in God and never lost hope. By returning Israel from Exile, God has “enlarged the nation.” And by sending His Son to be the Savior of the whole world, God has enlarged the Gospel to include all people from every nation and tribe. This isn’t a “maybe” from God. This is an assurance. God is saying to them—and to us—that our hopeful future in Christ is already complete. The victory is already won. God isn’t asking them or us for anything; He’s telling them what’s coming. All we have to do is see it by faith. The eye of faith sees what God is doing behind the present bitter hardships, circumstances, and trials. It sees the light in the darkness. We have two options. We can look at our world, seeing the darkness, find only hopelessness and shattered dreams and conclude that God has forgotten us. Or we can look at our present darkness and remember God’s past mercies, His present grace, and His future promises. Yes, there is real darkness. But behind even the darkest of nights stands the bright light of Jesus Christ.

Note: Why God begins to work on a persons heart and life when it is the darkest is hard to say. Perhaps when it is darkest that people most need to see the light, as when their sitting in the darkness of fear, conflict, depression, defeat, and confusion. And it is precisely when life is hard and the night is darkest that we start to lose hope and are tempted to give up, and that’s when God comes. The first work of God in our hearts is to make us aware that we need something more than we have. God reveals Himself to those who see that something is wrong, something is missing, not just out there in the world, but in us! God reveals Himself to those who thirst for more, to those who realize the darkness of life without Him. (You may have to wait awhile, but you can trust that the night is over and the dawn is coming! That the light shines brightest in the area of greatest darkness.)

Note: A question arises, What difference has Jesus made on the world. If He is truly the “Light of the world” why is there still so much darkness in the world. Why hasn’t the world changed in the last 2000 years since Jesus’ coming? A valid question that demands an answer. Yes, the world is still full of darkness. Just look at the news every day, and we can read about bombing and killings, about hatred and evil, about greed and suffering. The bibles doesn’t promise us a Utopia, where they’ll be peace and good will towards man. In fact Jesus Himself taught that there would be many wars and tumultuous times in the future.-(Matt. 24:6) He warned His followers that they must be prepared take up their cross, to suffer and die.-(Matt. 16:24) Even Jesus would Himself grow up and experience all the darkness, hatred, ignorance and violence of the world, and would suffer terribly by it, to the point of death, even death on a cross. So, Jesus never promised that the world we live in would become a better, more peaceful, more beautiful place in the future. But rather Christ does promise us that as the Savior of the world, He offers a sign of hope to the world that the reign of darkness is coming to an end! Yes, there is still darkness and violence and much evil occurring each and every day in the world around us, and it will continue and even get worse until the Second Coming of Christ. Yet we know that even though we are in that difficult yet hopeful period in between Christ’s first and second Advent. The Good News is that God has come among us, and given the world hope! For everyone who chooses to accept this Divine Light in their own lives, will never despair of any darkness we see all around us, because we know that the darkness shall never prevail. And until that time, we will engage against the darkness. We may suffer from the darkness, but we know through Christ we can overcome it. Therefor we can embrace the light and hope and love in this world even in the midst of darkness!

Note: In the end, there are only two groups of people in this world. There are those who need Christ and those who don’t. If you’re doing just fine on your own; if you win victory after victory with no trouble at all; If you think you can overcome any problems on your own; if you see your future is so bright, maybe the Gospel isn’t for you. Maybe you need to first experience the darkness. But if you feel the darkness; if you are weary and need rest; if you mourn and long for a better life; if you’ve tried and always failed; if you sin and see yourself in need of a Savior; this Light is for you. Or maybe your searching for something, maybe its purpose, meaning, and direction, or trying to escape something, maybe its an addiction, bad habit, abusive relationship, etc. Jesus is for you. That if you would just come to Christ and say; “Jesus show me your light, show me your real, that I can look too you to Save me from my sins”, He will Save you right now!

        WAYS JESUS IS A LIGHT….

• Jesus brings Salvation & forgiveness to the world

• Jesus brings new life and new desires

• Jesus brings freedom from guilt and shame

• Jesus brings holiness and righteousness

• Jesus brings a love for God and others

• Jesus brings guidance and direction

• Jesus brings healing and wholeness for all that is wrong with us

• Jesus brings freedom and victory over sin

• Jesus brings change and transformation

• Jesus brings wisdom and understanding

• Jesus brings peace and joy

• Jesus brings hope and encouragement

• Jesus brings purpose and meaning

• Jesus brings fulfillment and a rewarding life

        WAYS TO SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

• Bear witness, testimony, share the Gospel

• Tell people how you got Saved

• Pray for the lost

• Invite people to church

• Support missionaries, charities, out-reaches

• Serve others, do volunteer work

• By a good example to others

• Encourage and support others

• Show love for others in word & deed

• Tell people about the other great things God has done in your life

• Do what is good and right, even when it hurts

• Be loving, kind, and generous

        SERMON IDEAS….

• Talk about the invention of the lightbulb

• Talk about the cosmic display of light in the Universe,  lunar eclipses.

• Talk about dark winters where there’s little light

• Talk about the celebration of the birth of Christ

• Talk about the importance of Lighthouses

(For more Applications get the whole Book) 

(All material is copyrighted and may be used for preaching, teaching, and instructing. And not for publication in any form without the written permission of the author.)