Advent Reader: The Same Gospel

Matthew 4:12-17

Following Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan and temptation by the devil in the Judean wilderness, Jesus hears that John is in prison. He withdraws to Galilee – His home territory in the north. An area viewed with contempt by Jews in the south because of the contamination of its population by the Gentile nations which surrounded it on three sides. It is here, in this mixed population, this “crossroads for the nations” (The Message v15), that Jesus begins His ministry. Light would come to those sitting in darkness, as prophesied in Isaiah 9:1-2.

In Galilee, He teaches in various synagogues and eventually goes to Nazareth, His home town. Here He creates a furious reaction in the synagogue and escapes to Capernaum (Luke ch 4) by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where He continues His ministry.

The message Jesus preaches? Exactly the same as John’s (Matthew ch3v2) “Repent, for the kingdom of God has come near.” The same gospel.

“This Isaiah-prophesied revelation came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: ’Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.’”(The Message v17) The same gospel

Wake up! You’re in darkness! You need to come into the light! The same gospel.