#1206. The people walking in darkness (25/12/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue our Christmas series, Emmanuel, where we are reflecting on the promises regarding God coming to us in Jesus.

Happy Christmas! Today, from Isaiah 9:1-2, and its fulfilment in Matthew 4:12-17, We reflect on the nature of the darkness that Jesus frees us from.

Isaiah 9:1–2 Matthew 4:12–17

To watch this devotional, select the link below

https://youtu.be/pMQfsHVkgDc

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)

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)

Matthew 4:12–17

In our last devotional, we saw how this fulfilment of OT prophecy was an act of grace toward people in their sin. We saw how the people of Isaiah’s day had rebelled against God and, therefore, were in the ‘gloom’ and ’distress’ brought on by God’s discipline. Today, I want us to focus a little more on what’s meant by ‘darkness’.

1. Who are in darkness?

Galilee, at the time of Jesus, was a despised place. It is called ‘Galilee of the Gentiles’ (of the nations) because of its mixed population of ethnic groups and religious practices. However, this dark and mistrusted place is chosen as the first place for Jesus’ light to shine in order to show that His grace is for sinners and for those whom many would judge as undeserving.

However, we must not misunderstand this prophecy as meaning that the people of Galilee were particularly ‘dark’. Rather, this is a message for all people. Everyone is in spiritual darkness. All have sinned and rebelled against God. No one is worthy of God’s grace, but, the Christmas story, and Jesus’ ministry beginning in Galilee, shows that God invites everyone in to His love and forgiveness through Christ.

The coming of Jesus by John, is described as Him coming into a world of darkness:

‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:5)

John 1:5

This world is summarised as ‘darkness’. This sounds a bit harsh! However, from God’s perspective, every aspect of creation, and every person, has been infected by sin - this is the doctrine of ’Total Depravity’, and means that everything is affected by sin. This world, and we ourselves, whilst still bearing much beauty, are afflicted by darkness, leading to the sin and suffering that we experience.

2. What is spiritual darkness?

Our sinful condition is summed up: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ To ‘walk’ in darkness is to live in rebellion to God. Ephesians speaks of this sinful lifestyle:

‘As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.’ (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Ephesians 2:1–3

Before Jesus gave us His forgiveness and new birth, we ‘followed the ways of this world’ and were ‘deserving wrath’. As Jesus broke into the darkness of the people in Galilee, so He has broken into our darkness. This Christmas, let’s be reminded that God came to save people in the darkness of their sin, not those who were worthy of His grace. Whatever gifts we may receive today, the greatest gift is light to us in darkness!

Let’s pray together

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for your grace. I’m unworthy of your love and salvation. I’ve sinned against you and have fallen short of your glory. But I thank you that in your love and grace, you forgive and cleanse people like me. May your grace cause me to glory in you and your cross. Amen.”