light

 This week we begin worship with:

Matthew 4:16-17

”. . . the people dwelling in darkness

    have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

    on them a light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Jesus had completed his time of testing (Matthew 4:1-11), and John had just been arrested (Matthew 4:12).   It was at this moment that Jesus began to preach.

Our passage is Matthew's explanation that the ministry began in Capernaum and was the fulfillment of Isaiah's great prophecy concerning the birth and ministry of Christ (Isaiah 9:1-7).

His 'preaching' did not have three points, it did not have a joke, it did not have a heart tugging story.  It had one very bright light.  He said "Repent" (metanoeō).  His presence, His love, His words, all illuminated the darkness into which they had fallen.  

We say when a new actor gets their breakthrough, that they step into the lime-light.  Not so with Jesus, He is the light.