Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done: His Kingdom Comes
Matthew 4:12-17
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Thought for Today
Do you remember Isaiah's prophecy from Monday? He foretold of a great light that would come to Galilee, to the people experiencing great oppression. Jesus was that light. He went to this area following John the Baptist's arrest. It was heavily populated with great routes of commerce. His going there fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy and was a great location to begin His formal Ministry as The Light to the world!
His message to everyone was a call for repentance. He preached a message of turning away from sins. Sinning wasn't just NOT follow God's Law. In the Jewish culture, people took this to mean their many Jewish laws also. Jesus begins to unpack God's truth and desire. That being to have all peoples welcome Him into their hearts, to pursue His perfect ways (His Will) for each individual's life. His message was a heart matter vs fulfilling The Law. Jesus' goal was much more transformational than changing behaviors that were not in alignment with The Law. While the text doesn't include His red letter words, my guess is that He talked about Father God as our Creator and the many blessings He provides to all through His creation. That in response for these, His many gifts, we should thank and honor Him.
Do you thank Him for these regularly? We are enjoying the fruits of His Kingdom! Jesus came to reconcile us to Father God. He is the Light-To-The-World through His perfect sacrifice. Everything He did was to honor and glorify Father God. How can we, His Immanuel faith fellowship, grow in our service to Him, to share His light with others?
Prayer
Dear Abba, Thank you for life and the bounty of Your creation, all the things You provide to sustain life. Thank You for sending Jesus to affirm Your Truth, Your Kingdom and Your Will in His person. Help us to understand how we can join You in sharing His light. We love You!
Devotional Quote
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
-Jesus Christ
Quote of the Day
"Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying."
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done: His Kingdom Comes
Matthew 4:12-17
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Thought for Today
Do you remember Isaiah's prophecy from Monday? He foretold of a great light that would come to Galilee, to the people experiencing great oppression. Jesus was that light. He went to this area following John the Baptist's arrest. It was heavily populated with great routes of commerce. His going there fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy and was a great location to begin His formal Ministry as The Light to the world!
His message to everyone was a call for repentance. He preached a message of turning away from sins. Sinning wasn't just NOT follow God's Law. In the Jewish culture, people took this to mean their many Jewish laws also. Jesus begins to unpack God's truth and desire. That being to have all peoples welcome Him into their hearts, to pursue His perfect ways (His Will) for each individual's life. His message was a heart matter vs fulfilling The Law. Jesus' goal was much more transformational than changing behaviors that were not in alignment with The Law. While the text doesn't include His red letter words, my guess is that He talked about Father God as our Creator and the many blessings He provides to all through His creation. That in response for these, His many gifts, we should thank and honor Him.
Do you thank Him for these regularly? We are enjoying the fruits of His Kingdom! Jesus came to reconcile us to Father God. He is the Light-To-The-World through His perfect sacrifice. Everything He did was to honor and glorify Father God. How can we, His Immanuel faith fellowship, grow in our service to Him, to share His light with others?
Prayer
Dear Abba, Thank you for life and the bounty of Your creation, all the things You provide to sustain life. Thank You for sending Jesus to affirm Your Truth, Your Kingdom and Your Will in His person. Help us to understand how we can join You in sharing His light. We love You!
Devotional Quote
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
-Jesus Christ
Quote of the Day
"Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying."
-Martin Luther