“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined” (Matthew 4:16 NLT).
After Jesus’ baptism and 40 days in the wilderness, He didn’t return to Nazareth. Instead, He began His public ministry in a town on the Northern shore of the Sea of Galilee called, Capernaum. This was in fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah, who had prophesied that a “great light” would dawn in that very area of Israel (See Isa. 9). Jesus made Capernaum His base of ministry, calling His disciples and preaching in the synagogues of the area. Before long, great crowds were traveling to the region of Galilee to hear Him preach and to bring their sick to Him for healing.
Some time later, Jesus stood in the Temple courts in Jerusalem and announced, “I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Surely, a great light had dawned among the people living in darkness.
In September 1948, a country singer named Hank Williams recorded a song he’d written about this great Light. He wrote:
“I wandered so aimless life filed with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more in darkness, no more in night
Now I’m so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light”
Have you seen the Light?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have seen the Light. For the light of Jesus has dawned in our hearts. Now we sing of Him and tell of His wonderful gospel to all we meet. Strengthen us to carry the message of this great Light to the nations of the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.