QT: Jesus & The Nations Matt4:15–16 Week 33: 09/08/2023. Wed
Jesus & The Nations
https://www.esv.org/Matt4:15–16
Week 33: 09/08/2023. Wed
Congrats on arriving at another National Day. In a multi-cultural place, reaching out to the nations required less of overcoming distance.
Matthew 4:15–16 “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.” (ESV)
Even though Jesus grew up in a mostly non-Jewish area in the north of Israel then (Galilee), He reached out to non-Jewish people too. He interacted with people in Tyre and Sidon, pagan cities near the Mediterranean coast (Mark 7:24). He also reached out to both men and women who were non-Jews.
Jesus ministered to a Roman centurion by healing his servant (Luke 7:1–10), raised the only son of a widow in Nain (Luke 7:11–17). Reaching out to the nations is necessary because Jesus depicted a day when the nations would come before Him to face the final judgment (see Matt 25:31–46). Therefore, the commission of making disciples of all nations becomes God's mercy and warning to the nations.
Those who have followed the Light would be equipped to shine the path bright for others. On this day, we thank God for the opportunities that we have to shine, the resources we have to do good, and the freedom we have to just do what God wanted in a small place like this beyond Galilee of the Gentiles. Would you respond by being a light sent by God to whatever dark corners that only you can reach?
