Matthew 4:12-17 – The Message

I was looking at my map of Israel “during” the time of Jesus. Jesus is said to have traveled from Galilee to where John was baptizing people on the Jordan River. Jesus then went into the desert to be tempted. Both locations may have been very close to Jerusalem since John baptized many from Jerusalem, and Jesus was taken by Satan to the top of the temple mount. Regardless, Jesus may have been nearby when John was arrested. When this event occurs, Jesus moves back to Nazareth in Galilee and from there He travels to Capernaum.

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-2 (NIV)

Matthew again shows how prophecy is revealed in Christ from Scripture. Quoting from Isaiah 9 verses 1 and 2, Matthew shows how this place was chosen by God for the “dawning” of the Light. John the apostle called Jesus the true light that gives light to all men (John 1:9). The dawn of a day is seen as a new beginning or the start to something new. Many people sing about new days and new seasons in their lives. Jesus was exemplifying this by fulfilling Scripture.

The dawn of a new age was happening in the midst of those who heard John preach and now Jesus. The time of sacrifice was coming to an end as Jesus was preparing to become the final sacrifice for all. Soon people would be able to approach God through the Son. A new ministry and a new way of life were emerging.

In Capernaum, Jesus had access to a sea port for quicker travel, access to larger more receptive crowds (the people of Nazareth rejected Him), and a place to recruit His apostles. From this town, Jesus would preach repentance, the very words echoed previously through John.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Using these words shows that God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday and today and will be tomorrow. His message has been made clear since the first man sinned:

• Repent – reconsider your ways and begin to think differently about your moral obligation to your relationship with God
• Kingdom – the realm of God exists all around us and Christ is the royal representative
• Heaven – all power, all joy, and all eternity is offered to those who accept it; this is what heaven represents
• Near or at hand – God drew close to us so that we can draw close to Him; He is not a distant God; He is ever present to those who receive Him (Revelation 3:20)

1. Are there areas in your life that need repentance?
2. How aware are you of God’s surrounding kingdom?
3. How does the gift of heaven affect how you live?
4. How close have you let Jesus come to you?