Read:
Reflect:
The first thing God created was light (Genesis 1:3). Plant life, animal life and human life cannot survive without it. Light, in its various forms, is powerful because it dispels darkness; whether it is physical, mental or spiritual. Light is life-giving and it can shine into the smallest and most unlikely places. This is particularly evident in Matthew’s account of the way the ministry of Jesus was launched, without great acclaim and fanfare.
When John was arrested Jesus retreated to the more remote town of Capernaum. This was in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, two of the lesser tribes of Jacob and far from Israel’s key center in Jerusalem. Zebulon was the sixth and last son of Leah, and Naphtali was the second son of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. One would not expect the Messiah to show up in these insignificant territories which also had a large Gentile population. Yet Isaiah had prophesied that in exactly these regions where people were living in darkness a great light would shine (Isaiah 9:1-2); and as Matthew understood it, that light was Jesus (vv 15-16). Sometime later Jesus himself claimed:
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
But what kind of light was Jesus and what kind of darkness would he dispel?
Perhaps the initial answer is found in v 17; From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Like John the Baptist (3:2), Jesus called for repentance because the kingdom of heaven had arrived. No doubt this meant that people should turn from their personal sins and failures and appeal to God for forgiveness. However, there was a wider meaning to this repentance. Since Jesus was bringing the reign of God into the world people would need to give up their old ways and embrace his. They would have to abandon their militaristic efforts to overthrow the Roman occupiers and adopt Jesus’ way of peace and reconciliation with God and man. What this meant in more detail is spelled out in the rest of Matthew’s Gospel, and particularly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). For Jesus, bringing the kingdom to earth involved a path of suffering that eventually led to his death on the cross and resurrection to new life. And, compelled by love, he did that for us. As saint Paul so eloquently put it: Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2).
So the light that Jesus was, and brought into the world, was overwhelmingly powerful. It could overcome the darkness of hatred, corruption and rebellion. It was capable of blotting out the stains of sin and guilt with loving forgiveness, both personal and societal. It shone new life into human society with brilliant energy so that people could live in freedom and unpolluted joy. It transformed people into a new creation that could itself become a renewing light to the world. So that Jesus could say to all his followers:
14 You are the light of the world…16 let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Respond:
In grateful response to the wonderful light of forgiveness and renewal which we have
received, let us reflect on the commission Jesus gave us to be his lights in the world. What gifts and abilities can we contribute to the work of the kingdom rule of Jesus? Remember what he said:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)