Jesus Ministry Begins- Be A Light
This website and the ideas therein are created by the Author and creator of Creative Journey, by continuing to use this website and the contents therein you agree to the terms of use that can be found in more detail in our disclaimer page here.Mathew 4:12-17
“Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; (13) And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (14) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, (15) The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (16) The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kindom of heaven is at hand.”
At first glance, these verses may seem like just a moment in time, describing what Jesus is doing and where He is traveling. But this is prophecy being fulfilled! Remember when we talked in earlier posts about how the bible is complete? Every event and detail is backed up and connected, bringing the Old Testament to the New Testament together.
Verse 14 tells us, “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet.”
I want to be sure you understand that as the bible was translated into the English Language, the spellings would differ slightly, but we know that the prophet the author is speaking of is Isaiah. Let’s look at the defining fact and reference to this scripture from the Old Testament, and we can see without doubt that Esaias is Isaiah.
Isaiah 9:1-2
“Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. (2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
We can see a clear mirror of verses Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 4:15-16. This shows how the prophet Isaiah foretold where Jesus would begin His ministry-in Galilee, the land of the Gentiles. In biblical terms, Gentiles are those who worship false gods or any person who is not a Jew. The word ‘Gentiles’ generally refers to pagans or heathens, summarizing all people outside of Israel. This highlights how Jesus came as a light not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecy and bridging the Old and New Testaments perfectly. Source
Every account, event, or piece of scripture in the bible has significance. As we continue to explore the book of Matthew, we will discover the events of Jesus’ ministry. At first glance, this passage may seem simple, but we know Jesus was fulfilling a prophecy that had been written hundreds of years ago. Isaiah was a man, yet He was a God-fearing man, faithful and chosen by God to record the things that would come to pass. Through him and many other prophets, God’s plan was revealed and perfectly fulfilled in Christ.
We don’t know God’s plan for us, but I’d much rather stay as close to Him as possible, so I don’t miss the turns He has prepared for me. God isn’t a dictator, controlling every move we make - He is our loving Heavenly Father who wants the best for us. He holds the map in His hands. Even when we may go through rough patches or veer off course, He’s there to guide us back, leading us into His will- the path where we’ll find the greatest blessings and truly prosper.
We don’t know God’s plan for us, but I’d much rather stay as close to Him as possible so I don’t miss the turns He has prepared for me. God isn’t a dictator, controlling every move we make — He is our loving Heavenly Father who wants the very best for us. He holds the map in His hands. Even when we go through rough patches or veer off course, He’s there to guide us back, leading us into His will — the path where we’ll find the greatest blessings and truly prosper.”
I’ve felt discouraged at times when it seems like nothing is going right. But when we choose to get into God’s Word and stay intentional about our relationship with Him, He promises to guide us through the journey. When we face hard times, we shouldn’t always see them as God’s chastisement rather as a time of refining. Just like gold is purified by fire, our faith is strengthened and our hearts are drawn closer to Him through life’s trials.
James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
About that refining point….Think of the diamond and the seed
What do these have in common?
The Diamond
A diamond hasn’t always been a clear, sparkling gem of pure beauty. It begins as a dark chunk of coal- ordinary and rough. But after years of intense heat and pressure, it’s transformed into a beautiful piece of art- the diamond. In the same way, God uses the pressures and trials in our lives to refine us, shaping us into something more precious than gold.
The Seed
A seed cannot grow on its own. It must be planted deep in the dark soil, watered and warmed by the sun. Then it begins to sprout. As the plant grows, it will face storms, heat, and even unexpected pests that may nibble a little bit of it at a time. But in time, it grows stronger, and eventually, in its season, will bear fruit. That fruit didn’t appear overnight or with ease - it took roots, stalks, and branches to develop before it could prosper and produce something beautiful.
Although I like the diamond analogy, the seed is so much more complex and relatable to our Christian walk. The seed is the offspring of a plant that came before its time. For the seed to grow, it needs many nurturing factors: water, warmth, and sunlight. To become strong, it must grow deep roots to withstand the storms it may encounter. If the roots are deep and healthy, the plant can freely grow upward and stronger, eventually bearing its fruit, flower, or vegetable in its time.
How are we compared to a plant?
When we learn about God and Salvation, we become planted.
How are we compared to a plant?
When we are like seeds, we are born into this world, but in a sense, we’re dormant. We’re aware of the things around us, yet we sense there’s a deeper purpose to our lives. When we learn about God and how He sent Jesus to be our Savior, we become planted. Once planted, we begin to grow as Christians by learning about God through His Word, joining a local church, and becoming students of the Bible. Our relationship becomes rooted in His word, and we begin to sprout a new life - the stalk and leaves that give life.
A new Christian often has a zeal to shout to the world about Jesus and His saving grace. This is when we start to bear fruit -multiplying by spreading the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ wherever we go. We drop seeds along the way; this is evidence of Jesus’ saving grace to all those around us. This is part of Jesus’ mission for us: to spread His love, hope, and share the message of salvation with all those we encounter.
Being a Christian means being Christ-like; set apart from the ways of the world, and called to be a light in dark places. Each of us has unique talents, personalities, and strengths that God can use in creative ways to connect with people in our everyday lives. Be vigilant; look for those opportunities, even if it’s simply being a kind friend to a stranger. Our world needs more kindness - let it begin with you and me.
If we create a domino effect by choosing to stop and serve - holding a door, returning something someone dropped, or just listening to someone who needs a friend- we reflect Christ’s love in practical, impactful ways. It’s often in the small things. And when we’re sensitive to God’s leading, he will show us those opportunities right in front of us.
Kindness can be contagious
Be a light in the darkness
Kindness can be contagious! Be A Light!
I challenge you to make it a point, at least once a day, or if not, at least once a week, to do something special for someone without expecting anything in return. Your kind smile, a helping hand, or simply taking the time to listen can all be ways to show Christ’s love towards others. One small act of kindness can go a long way.
When my kids were little, I would do small Bible devotions with them, and to help them stay still, I’d have them color a themed coloring sheet while I talked about God’s Word. I remember telling them one time that being a Christian doesn’t mean you have to stand in a building and shout at the top of your lungs that you are a Christian. Then I asked them to think of ways they could show Christ’s love towards others. One of their answers was to respectfully open and hold a door for someone. They were only around 7 to 12 years old at the time, so I wanted to give them simple, everyday examples they could truly understand to do.
Challenge For Today
So, I challenge you today - in fact, challenge yourself! What can you do for someone else? Showing Christ’s love often involves a selfless act, big or small. What does that look like for you today? Who can you reach out to and encourage with an uplifting verse from the Bible? Be the shining light in the darkness. Let HIS love be seen through you, one simple act of kindness at a time.
Before you spread the seed of God’s love and kindness into the world, let’s say a quick blessing upon our intentions.
Heavenly Father, we come together united unto Your throne, first asking forgiveness of our sins, help us where we fall short, and give us strength where we are weak. We ask that You be with those who need You. There are so many in need of Your comfort, and we ask that You be there for them. Father we ask that You help us find opportunities each day to reach out and make a difference in just one person’s life, help us find ways to be a Light in this dark world, may we be Your helping hand, Your act of kindness, Your ray of hope towards others. We thank You for preserving Your precious Word for us to find encouragement, wisdom, hope, faith, joy and eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ. I continue to ask Your blessing upon those who read this, I ask that You love them and continue to give them strength in their time of need, I ask that You continue to guide me to be a Light by sharing my experiences, wisdom and love on this platform, may Your voice be heard louder than my own. I thank You for my new friend and the Creative Journey community, may Your blessings continue to guide as we discover Your Word. We ask this in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Don’t miss the next bible study! Some Bible studies may take longer than others to get through, as I am led to explain in greater detail the verses that we come across. These blog posts are not created by AI or used with any AI-generated assistance. These comments are of my own and where God leads me to write. I am not a professional, just a southern wife, mother of four, and I have a desire to spread the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. I want you to know, He loves you and He desires to have a relationship with you. We are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to be lead by God and I feel that He has given me so much to share, I am not here for the fame or glory, but to get the message of Gods’ Love out to you, my new friend and so many others.God be with you!
