January 4

Darkness Had No Vote

The world likes a gentle Jesus who never disrupts plans. A Jesus who affirms, soothes, and leaves people exactly where they are. But the Jesus of Scripture does not wait for comfort or consensus. He walks straight into darkness and demands a decision. Matthew 4 does not open with a sermon about self improvement. It opens with movement, urgency, and confrontation. Jesus steps onto the stage of history and nothing stays neutral after that.

Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard John the Baptist had been imprisoned, He withdrew into Galilee and settled in Capernaum by the sea. This was not retreat in fear. It was fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah had said that the people who sat in darkness would see a great light ~Isaiah 9:1-2. Darkness is not ignorance alone. It is rebellion, blindness, and self rule. Jesus does not negotiate with it. He shines into it. Light does not ask permission. Light exposes.

From that moment, Scripture says Jesus began to preach, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” ~Matthew 4:17. That is not a motivational slogan. Repent means turn. It means abandon your way of thinking, your self trust, your excuses. The kingdom of heaven being near means God’s rightful rule has arrived. You are no longer the highest authority in your life. Neutral ground is gone.

Many people claim to admire Jesus while resisting His first command. They want forgiveness without repentance, grace without surrender, heaven without submission. Scripture will not support that illusion. Jesus did not say, “Feel better about yourself.” He said repent. The call is not to improve behavior but to change allegiance. Pride hates that. Flesh resists it. But truth demands it.

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon Peter and Andrew casting a net. Ordinary men. Working men. Not scholars. Not religious elites. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” ~Matthew 4:19. And Matthew records that immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Immediately. No bargaining. No delay. When Christ calls, the issue is not understanding everything. The issue is obedience.

He called James and John the same way, and they left their father and their boat. That costs something. Following Christ always does. Anyone promising a Christianity that never disrupts relationships, priorities, or plans is preaching a different message. Jesus does not fit into a corner of life. He claims the whole thing. He is Lord or He is nothing at all.

Matthew then shows what this kingdom looks like in action. Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction among the people ~Matthew 4:23. Teaching reveals truth. Preaching confronts the will. Healing displays authority. All three testify to who He is. Not a moral teacher. Not a healer for hire. This is the King announcing His reign.

Crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Some came desperate. Some curious. Some hopeful for miracles. But crowds following Jesus does not mean hearts surrendered to Him. The same crowds that marveled would later cry for crucifixion. Proximity to Christ is not the same as submission to Christ.

This passage forces an uncomfortable question. Have you truly repented, or have you only admired Jesus from a distance. Have you followed Him, or merely added Him to a life you still control. The kingdom of heaven being at hand means delay is rebellion. Refusal is not neutral. Silence is an answer.

Jesus still walks into dark places. He still calls ordinary sinners to leave nets behind. He still commands repentance before comfort. Scripture says, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” ~Hebrews 3:15. There is no promise of tomorrow. There is only the call today.

Matthew 4 leaves you standing at the same shoreline as Peter and Andrew. Nets in your hands. A voice calling. You will either drop what you trust and follow Christ, or you will cling to what cannot save you. The light has come. The kingdom is near. Repent and believe the gospel, or turn away and remain in darkness. Scripture allows no third path.

Genesis 8:1-10:32
Matthew 4:12-25
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23

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New Testament: Matthew 4:12-25

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ~ Matthew 4:17

Note that Jesus message echoes John the Baptist’s preaching exactly.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. ~ Matthew 4:23-24

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