THE URGENCY OF THE MOMENT

     Throughout all of Jesus life there seemed to be an urgency in His ministry. He lived as a man who did not have time to waste.  I am often reminded of some of Jesus first words in Luke when He asked Mary and Joseph, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” The King James translates it as, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business.” His whole life was marked by this statement.

     As we look at our passage today we now sense that same urgency brought up shortly after John had been arrested by Herod. The messenger would soon be silenced but His Proclaimed One would now go forth. The land of Israel and we ourselves would now hear the message of the King. There is NO TIME to waste.

Matthew 4:12 ( ESV )

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¹²Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.

• Now-After the temptations and the baptism Jesus now becomes the focal point as John is arrested by Herod for his proclamation of Herod’s sin.
• Arrested-Matt. 14:3-4 This passage deals with John’s arrest.
• Galilee-Jesus now goes north after John is arrested. This was the frontier land b/w Israel and the external world. (Imagine the Wild, Wild West.)

Matthew 4:13-16 ( ESV )

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¹³And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,

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¹⁴so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

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^{15 £}“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

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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.”

• Nazareth-He would be rejected here. Luke 14:16-30
• Capernaum-Capernaum was by the northern end of the Sea of Galilee and it was an important trade area. 4 or 5 of His disciples would come from this area. It was also an area largely frequented by the Gentiles.
• Zebulun and Naphtali-When He went here He offered hope to an area influenced by false worship and demons according to Is. 8:19-22. A light would come into this area though whose name would be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:1-7 Jesus now appeared to them.

•     Naphtali-This  N. outpost of Israel could now hear and see. These who once were the forgotten  

        ones.

•     Galilee of the Gentiles-Called this because of the influence of the Gentiles in the area.

•     Dwelling in Darkness-Is. 8 Spiritual darkness in life and soul. (During the time that Isaiah made

       this prophecy Ahaz was king. Israel was looking for guidance from anyone but their God.)

•     Shadow of death-This phrase is used in Ps. 23:4 but also tells us of the spiritual condition of the

        people. Eph. 2:1-4

•     Dawned-The Messiah’s glory was now upon them.

Matthew 4:17 ( ESV )

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¹⁷From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

• From that time-In the midst of the darkness, hope now goes forth, as the Light of the World was now walking among them.
• Repent-John the Baptist message is now central in Jesus teaching. He disciples would preach this as well. Luke 24:27

APPLICATIONS:

1.       No matter how dark a place or a person might seem to be without hope. We can go forth proclaiming boldly that Jesus saves.

2.       Are you and I living as though there might not be a tomorrow? I guess what I am asking is, “Lord, do I see the urgency of the moment when I look into the eyes of those that I know are lost?” They are living in the shadow of death.  Do I live to proclaim?

MY TWO GIRLS

THE EVIL TWINS!!