getting dark

Thursday January 30^th, Matthew 4:  12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 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." 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  This message, repent for the kingdom is near, is the message we as the children of God are to bring to the world.  God is never far off, God is never outside of our reach and more importantly, we are never outside God’s reach.  The presence of Christ is good news for the world.  In times past, Zebulun and Naphtali were given the good news in Isaiah that their time of shame and exclusion was over.  The darkness they considered a way of life had come to an end and in them, and even through them, light would shine.  Jesus works like that.  It is not the bright shining lights of the world that bring the good news, but the dimly burning wicks that have been brought to light by the love of God.  Today that same good news comes to those whose lives are down trodden, and the message is to stand up, rejoice, the kingdom is near and the darkness is over.  It is sometimes hard to see the light when you are busy shining your own light, but don’t worry, the batteries will soon give out and you too will fall into darkness, it is then that you too will be able to see the glory of God.