A Light from Galilee

Isaiah 9:1-3 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 – 2 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. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
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Luke 1:26-27 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
 
THE word “nevertheless” to begin Isaiah 9 points to a new, restored life from the dark conditions at the end of Isaiah 8. There the prophet describes the dark gloom over a people disobeying and negating God. “Nevertheless” is God’s promise he will act to reveal his Savior in spite of his people’s sin.
   That salvation will begin in the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. These are two of Israel’s 12 tribes who settled north of Jerusalem. Their disobedience toward God for centuries caused many Gentiles to inhabit and rule the land.
   But God has a plan for this dark, disobedient land. In the future he – the LORD –  will honor Galilee of the Gentiles. How will God honor this lost land? He will bring the Light of the World (John 8:12) to lead them out of darkness.
   The Light of the World is born in Bethlehem, but he will live in Nazareth, in Galilee. His ministry will be primarily in Galilee. He will do most of his recorded miracles in Galilee. The Sermon on the Mount, the Transfiguration and thousands fed will occur in Galilee. And even at Jesus’ resurrection, the angel instructs Mary, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:7)         Jesus restored Peter in Galilee. (John 21)
    Do you know Jesus is your Savior? Rejoice, then, that the Light has come into your personal darkness to welcome you into his salvation. Born again in Jesus, you, too, become the world to display Jesus’ life-giving power to redeem sin. Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   
 
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Father, to send your Light, so we are not lost in darkness. Amen.