In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus begins His ministry:
13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum (the village of the Comforter). We are told the people in this area were in spiritual gloominess and darkness which would lead us to believe there was no apparent hope for change. Where was the best place for a Great Light to be illuminated? One of great darkness. In addition we must note that Jesus began calling His disciples from this very location:
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Matthew quoted the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 9:1-2 concerning the establishment of the Kingdom government in verses 15 to 17. A government is a means of administering the intent of the ONE who established it in order to maintain lawfulness, rights, and prosperity for all. The intent is the key point of a government and whether the citizens will embrace the government or oppose it.
Jesus began setting up the Kingdom of GOD in an area of great darkness. He was not consumed by the darkness but exposed the darkness for what it was and His Great Light began to change the landscape. He called upon average fishermen to arise out of the darkness and join Him. This should encourage each of us that our past and/or present situation is not our destiny. At any moment our calling may be either activated or increased to a greater degree. We must not let the darkness surrounding us deter us from moving up higher. The day before Jesus called these men they were not anticipating the activation of their calling. They were simply doing what the knew to do… fish. They were carrying on with a popular vocation of the day but within 24 hours, their lives would change forever.
What were the qualifications of these men? They responded to the Great Light called Jesus. They were not lawyers, doctors, or scholars but were average people like you and me, Yes, average people can accomplish great things when FATHER’S Divine Intent enters the scene. Is darkness becoming greater and covering the earth with lawlessness? Good news, a Great Light can dispel great darkness in an instant for it overcomes darkness.
James and John were mending nets when they were called. The nets were broken and needed maintenance thus they were busy fixing the tools of their trade. We too must not let the small things do undone for in the midst of focusing on the small things, we may receive an unexpected empowerment. These men dwelled in the area of the Comforter as a subtle indication of ultimately being led by the Holy Spirit. We must be sensitive as well when that day arrives for the Great Light to shine upon our purpose. Let us not disregard that still, small voice but increase in sensitivity.
A great darkness precedes the Great Light. Be not dismayed with the current circumstances but prepare yourself for the Great Light to be illuminated across the land.