“When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.
Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along 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 is near.”
Matthew 4:12-17.
This is the scenario. Approximately thirty years have passed since the birth of Jesus. John the Baptist has been put in prison and Jesus went to live in Capernaum in what Matthew tells us is the area of Zebulun and Naphtali.
This Matthew notes this fulfills the Prophesy from Isaiah.
Jesus would spend much of his ministry in this area an area with a large gentile population.
Some commentators note that the reason this area is said to be living in darkness is because it was quite removed from the influence of Jerusalem and they had a large gentile population.
Matthew who’s gospel points to the universal message of Christ, notes that Jesus starts with the same message that John the Baptist was preaching, “Repent for the kingdom of God is near.”
The message of Jesus is indeed a universal message. A message as relevant today as it was then.
Mankind whether we want to believe it or not is in a fallen state. Crime abounds in our society. There is massive inequality even starvation and suffering. Why? Because man has wandered far from God.
There is by far enough resources in the world to eliminate suffering and starvation. The problem is there is not the political will.
Not only that, men filled with evil intent terrorist, tyrannical dictators, government officials who are less than honest, prevent the spread of what is good and what is just. No one can stop them.
I believe the only solution to the worlds problems is the Love of Christ.
I believe the further away from God society wanders the worse off our society will become. Governments today give billions of dollars to private corporations to create jobs. Yet our society stays the same. The poor remain poor, the rich remain rich and if some analyst are to be believed the middle class is getting smaller.
As Christians we have the solution to all of man’s problems, the Love fo Jesus, the Love of God.
The Talmud has a message that I believe is for not only Jews but Christians and non-believers alike it states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud
All people everywhere will one day stand before God and eventually be judged. And while it will be our faith that saves us. It will be how we treated our fellow man that will determine our reward.
Think about it.
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