Mat 4:12-17; Christ Entering the Darkness to Save Brutes.

Tuesday March 5, 2024

Idea: Christ went into the dark places in order to save those who sat in darkness (brutes, monsters, rebels, wretches) and to give them a kingdom of light.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Matthew slightly alters the prophecy.

Isa 9:2

The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.  

Mat 4:16

"THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,

AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,

UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED."

There are distinct verbs used in the NT for walking and sitting. Matthew chooses “sitting.” The Hebrew in Isa 9:2 means to walk or to live.

Matthew chooses a slightly different image – sitting: spiritual darkness is so thick that it immobilizes (sluggish solitude). Believers can get stuck in this darkness. It seems that he is trying to emphasize the condition of immobilization.

If you realize that you have been born into the darkness, and that your life, and your family, or upbringing, or society is low, or poor in spirit, rejoice for the light has come to you.

If you have Him through faith, then you are the light. If you have Him through faith, but are still enslaved to the flesh and the world, you are living in the way of darkness and not yet walking in the light. The longer you wait to worship Him, the longer your heart lives stained with darkness: self, world, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, proud pride of the self-life.

If you have Him and you are by faith, worshiping Him and walking in the light, then you will always be surrounded by darkness that will tempt and test you – but like Christ in the wilderness, you will overcome.

Mat 4:12-17.

Context of Isa 9:1-7

Ahaz must make a decision (Isa 7:10-16; trust God or Egypt?).

Judgment is coming (Isa 7:17-8:8; darkness or deliverance).

Remnant must remain faithful and seeking (Isa 8:17-22).

There is a glorious hope – the birth and reign of the Davidic King (Isa 9:1-7).

The remnant, caught up in the toils of national calamity, have been walking in darkness though they seek the Lord’s face (8:17).

The darkness-light motif points to the creative work of God, in this case, making men and their world new (Gen 1:2-3; 2Co 4:6). 

Isa 9:1-7; the fundamental expressions of light and joy are related to a three-fold explanation in vv. 4, 5, 6; opening with “For.” 1) Liberation, 2) entering into the fruits of a victory already won, 3) birth of the child. 

The people enter the battlefield only after the fighting is done (Isa 9:5). 

The remnant must keep seeking the Lord and expecting Him (eyes on Him and heaven).

Priorities and disciplines on a daily basis.

Psa 139.

The light of Christ went into the darkness of Galilee. The light of Christ has shown in your heart. 2Pe 1:19; 2Co 4:6.

Do you love the things of God more than the things of the world?

Do you love God more than your flesh?

Let the light rise in your heart through faith.