A Light in 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 described the dark gloom over a land disobeying and negating God. “Nevertheless” is God’s promise he will one day act in spite of his people’s sin to reverse his judgment into salvation.
   Salvation will begin in the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. These names are two of Israel’s 12 tribes who settled north of Jerusalem. Their disobedience toward God for centuries caused many Gentiles to inhabit, own and rule the land. But God had 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 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 his resurrection, Jesus 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 restores Peter in Galilee. Light came into the darkness in Galilee. And we know now God’s Light has come into the world’s darkness to save sinners into life eternal.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Father, to send your Light, so we are not lost in darkness. Amen.