Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 NRSVue
12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles— 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”,
23Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, people possessed by demons or having epilepsy or afflicted with paralysis, and he cured them. 25And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”
Reflection on Matthew 4:12-17,23-25
Inspiration from 2026-01-07 Daily Prayer
It had been foretold that the people who lived in darkness would see a great light, and Jesus was now going to spell out in clear detail what this light would consist of. As the work of Jesus begins to grow, we notice something stirring within the onlookers who hang on his every word. Grey embers of faith are beginning to feel a gentle breeze blowing in their direction. Almost without their knowing it, a spark of hope is being reignited. Ask that the spark of anticipation may also be given to you.