When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
As we come to the end of the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas, we have all seen a Christmas play or a nativity set with the Three Wise Men - who came riding on camels from Persia to visit baby Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem the night he was born. Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
If you think about it, we’re all like those wise men, searching for the guidance. The wise men followed the Star of Bethlehem, which served as the guiding light in their lives. We are all searching for a “sign” from heaven, but we who have the Word of God to guide us don’t need stars from heaven.
The wise men also brought gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While we would not bring those same gifts in today’s day and age, we can offer many other gifts – time, talent, and treasure. After all, God gave his very best to us.
As you go through this week, reflect on how you can follow the light of Christ as your guide in life and give your very best to Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment