Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we begin our Christmas series, Emmanuel, where we're reflecting on the promises regarding God coming to us in Jesus. At present, I'm only posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Today, from Isaiah 9:1-2, and its fulfilment in Matthew 4:12-17, We reflect on how Jesus offers light and grace for those in the place of darkness - salvation is by grace.
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‘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 honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan — The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ (Isaiah 9:1-2)
‘When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali — to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”’ (Matthew 4:12-17)
Isaiah 9 is set during a time of great distress for Israel. The northern tribes, especially Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee, had experienced devastation due to invasions, particularly from Assyria in 722 BC. These regions were among the first to suffer from foreign domination, leading to a sense of gloom and despair.
In the prophecy of Isaiah, it is revealed that this darkness and gloom is because God’s discipline was upon them. Their spiritually dark condition, leading to God’s judgement, is well summed up from these words of the previous chapter:
‘When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?’ (Isaiah 8:19)
In Matthew 4, we are seeing an example of Jesus’ fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2. Jesus is compared to a light that shines on people in the darkness and the shadow of spiritual darkness and oppression. God is making a gracious promise that those who had rebelled against Him would feel the light of His grace. Whereas, ‘In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali…’ because of their sin, now God is, in Christ, giving grace to those in their sin.
Today, let’s remember again that all of us, in the darkness of our sin, have been gifted with grace. If we are Christians, it’s certainly not because we were ‘sweetness and light’! We are saved by grace. Jesus came by grace. As we can have no power to cause or stop the sun from rising, so our salvation, and the light that Jesus gives, was beyond our power. So, today, let’s throw off any sense of gloom. Let’s remember and celebrate His mercy to us.
Let’s pray to together
“Lord Jesus, I thank you for the light and life that you have given to me. I deserved Judgement, but you have come to me by your grace. Help me to enjoy your grace more exuberantly. Help me to bring your light to those who are in darkness. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
Due to the Christmas break, I haven’t produced a study for Community Groups. If, however, you do decide to meet together, please choose one of the devotionals and discuss this together.
Note
Our Christmas Morning service will be at 10:00 for an hour.
We don't have a service on the 29th, but a church family walk from Wimbledon Windmill. Meet at the windmill at 10.30am, and either join in with the walk, or the café will be open to enjoy a nice coffee and a chat with others.
Sunday services will be back as normal on Sunday 5th January.
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