Jesus’ Preaching Fulfills the Prophet Isaiah

This meditation is based on a passage for April 23, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Matthew 4:12-17

Reflection and Question: In Matthew and Mark, Jesus withdrew into Galilee as a response to John’s arrest; in Luke, the Holy Spirit returns Jesus to Galilee after He withstands the devil’s temptation. Only Matthew connects Jesus’ home in Capernaum with the prophecy of Isaiah, in which Galilee is made glorious by light shining in darkness. While the Judean King Hezekiah is probably the historical subject of Isaiah’s vision, Matthew is suggesting to his Jewish listeners that Isaiah was describing Jesus. Then Jesus preaches John’s message of repentance. How is Jesus a light in the darkness?

Prayer: Spirit of the living God, You inspired Isaiah and Matthew to assure us that light dawns when we stand under the shadow of death. As that light, Jesus calls us to repentance, which we do now. Open to us Your kingdom which has drawn near. Amen.