The Gospel Proclamation Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, .... so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ...the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria and they brought to him all the sick .... and he cured them. And great crowds followed him ...
Gaze at Jesus Jesus, the God Man, launches out to begin His public ministry. The two key words in His discourse appear to be, “Repent” and “Kingdom” (vs. 17, 23). These two key words appear to be interconnected somehow. Let us try to enter into the mind of Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit and try to figure out what Jesus means by these two words, what is the relationship between these two words, as Jesus sees. Let us reflect ... Jesus, came into this world to proclaim a “good news” which is another name for “gospel”. Yes, it is good news and NOT a sad news, not a news that is going to bring disappointment to the listener. In verse 16, it is said “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light ... a light has arisen.” Yes, Jesus gives “light” to those in darkness. Darkness - not in a literary sense. People in darkness implies those who do not know the meaning of life, who do not know what the future holds for them. Let us reflect ... Yes, what does Jesus mean by “darkness”? For such people, the proclamation of Jesus ought to open their eyes, to see new vistas, open their eyes to see hope, give them an understanding of the bright life that awaits them. Jesus, makes people see the light in the darkness by opening their “eyes” of faith. In other words, Jesus tells them about the “Kingdom” where there is hope.
My sonship Have I seen a “great light” in Jesus, when I go through difficult situations in life?
Prayer Starter I will proclaim the decree of the Lord, who said to me, “You are my son; today I am your Father.” (Ps. 2:7)
