Anchor My Faith

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Scripture: Matthew 4:13-17; Mark 1:15

Having been rejected by his hometown people, Jesus moves on to other villages with his message of who he is and what he has come to accomplish. “And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled” (Matthew 4:13).

After being forced out of Nazareth, Jesus went and lived in the city of Capernaum, which was located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. However, the exact location of this ancient city is not certain. This location will remain the base of operations for Jesus and his new hometown for the duration of his ministry in Galilee.

That which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah is reference to Isaiah 9:1 – 2 (ESV): “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

Matthew did not write the very words of Isaiah, but gives the sense of what Isaiah wrote: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16 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” (Matthew 4:15).

The people of the region were living in spiritual darkness, but with the coming of Jesus a great light has come to them. It was in this region that Jesus grew up and in that region he did most of his preaching and performed most of his miracles. With the presence of Jesus and his ministry, a light has dawned on those who were dwelling in the shadow of death.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying (Matthew 4:17), Mk 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”’ (Mark 1:15) “From that time” marks a significant turning point in the ministry of Jesus. It indicates that the preparations for his ministry are complete and now he will build on the ministry of John the Baptist who proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Prayer

Father, when Jesus claims to be the Messiah, he is rejected by those who knew him best. They seem to reflect what Paul said in Romans 3:10 – 11 (ESV): “None is righteous, no, nor one; no one understands; no one seeks God.” Even though the light is shining upon them, they reject it and drive him away. People are the same today. Father, unless you touch one’s life that one will not first seek you.