December 23, 2021 – Isaiah 9:1-2 & Matthew 4:12-17

Another prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2, which I missed:

“When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulu nand Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles—

the people living in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.’

From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near’” (Matthew 4:12–17).

I am reminded, once again, that Jesus came into the world, primarily, for one reason: to save his people from their sins, to bring those in darkness into light, to announce the kingdom and fill it with his people.

The people who in darkness walked

have seen a glorious light;

the heav'nly dawn broke forth on those

who dwelt in death and night,

who dwelt in death and night.

His righteous government and pow'r

shall over all extend;

on judgment and on justice based,

his reign shall have no end,

his reign shall have no end. --John Morison (1781)