Cross in front of Founders Hall

Day

1

A Light Shines in the Darkness

Lent 2021

Read Matthew 4:12-25

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “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.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

There is something about darkness that creates a universal understanding. In movies it is used to connect to our emotions of fear, panic, or sadness. It communicates the presence of evil, death or guilt. The Bible reminds us Jesus is the Light of the World, the great light shining into darkness. Where do you need that light to shine in your life? What relationship, what sin, what hurt, what sorrow, what fear needs Christ to be at work? Today ask God to be at work in that area of your life. He has, Called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Prayer

Jesus Christ, as the Light of the World you cast out all darkness, shine in my life today. Amen.

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