When God brought His people into the Promised Land of Israel, they parceled out the land by tribe, descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob. The descendants of two of his sons, Zebulun and Naphtali, were given land on the west and northwest side of the Sea of Galilee, the area where Jesus would one day live out much of His earthly ministry.
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Jesus to this region.
1…The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali…in Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:1b-2 (NKJV)
The presence of Jesus would bring a divine light into this spiritually dark region. The thing about darkness is that it quickly dissipates whenever light is present. Even a single candle has a tremendous effect upon a dark room.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel, in which this region lie, was no stranger to darkness, a consequence of the poor choices the kings and people there had made. We, too, may live or have lived in such a dark place, rejecting God and His divine warmth and love, living only to survive, rather than to enjoy and thrive in a godly life.
It is often into the darkest places where God will bring His greatest light. His presence brings with it healing, restoration, forgiveness, freedom and an unconditional love that touches every part of our soul.
Jesus came to earth to fulfill the Old Testament law that people were, and still are, unable to keep on their own. One time, some religious leaders brought before Him a woman caught in the act of adultery and asked Him if she should be stoned to death, as a strict application of Moses’ law would require.
Jesus acted at first as if He did not even hear them, instead writing something with His finger in the dust of the ground at their feet.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” John 8:7 (NKJV)
One by one, the woman’s accusers were convicted of their own sin, and beginning with the oldest, turned and walked away, until all were all gone. Jesus asked the woman if any were left to accuse her, and she responded, “No”. Jesus then told her that He, too, would not accuse her, and to go and sin no more. Afterwards, He taught His disciples about the “great light”.
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJV)
A Great Light had indeed come into the woman’s life that day, and into the hearts of her accusers, as well. We have all broken the laws of Moses at one time or another, and are deserving of death. The light of Christ has pardoned us of our sin because of our faith in Him, and His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. It is only right that we forgive others their transgressions the same way that God has forgiven ours. That brings His true divine light into our portion of the world.
Without God in our lives, there is only spiritual darkness. Many false gods will come along and promise to light our way, but only God’s true Light will give us real life, eternal and full.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 (NKJV)
Reflection
What darkness threatens me in my own life today? Where do I have loneliness, fear, anxiety, confusion, depression, or despair?
Lord Jesus, shine Your light and love into my life today. Scatter the darkness that threatens to bring me down. Lift away the burdens of despair and help me to follow You along a journey of joy, walking in the Light of Your Word. You are the true light of the World. Heal our brokenness and restore us to a full and satisfying life in You. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Have a beautiful, blessed day in the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 