This passage talks about a coming king that is in the family line of David. A familiar theme of a contrast of light and darkness is continued here. The prophet says, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined" (Isa.9:2 NRSV). God is again at work. In Genesis we hear the story of creation and the first words of God are "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3 NRSV). There is something of comfort in the presence of light in the middle of darkness. When we enter a dark room the first thing we do is look for the light switch and we feel better right away if the light comes on and get anxious if it does not. The presence of God in our lives can be like that light.

Jesus Begins His Ministry (Matt. 4:12–23)

Jesus begins his ministry in the region around the sea of Galilee. He is in the area that is mentioned in our Hebrew scripture reading this week from Isaiah. The writer of Matthew points out that this fulfills the prophecy. Matthew says, "He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 'Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned'" (Matt. 4:13-16 NRSV).

As I said earlier, light is a common theme in the Bible. In the next section of our passage, we hear about Jesus calling Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. When Jesus calls, these men leave everything and follow Him. That takes a lot of confidence in someone to walk into the unknown at just their invitation. They must have seen that light mentioned by the prophet in his eyes. We need to keep looking for that light.