Opening Prayer
Lord, convert us. Let us see light in Your light (Psa 36:9). Amen.
Text: Matthew 4:12-17
Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Devotion
Galileans were despised by the other Jews, but Jesus makes His home among them and there reveals His glory by preaching and doing miracles, for they were the most ready to receive His grace. It is a blessed change, when someone comes out of darkness into the light, and when the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2), Jesus Christ, rises on those who sat in the death’s dark night (Isa 9:2). If you are living unconverted, then it is dark in your heart. Sin is darkness, and it rules in you. In our country the light is shining, God be praised. The Sun of Righteousness is risen over our people. The Gospel is preached. Jesus is here. By His name knowledge of God, forgiveness of sin, love, and joy go forth, and this Sun of Righteousness gives its rays to us all, just like the sun in the sky. But it is intended to shine in our heart. What good is sunlight to the blind? They walk completely in darkness. So also do you, as long as you walk with an unconverted heart in the service of sin, if you do not see your own unhappy condition, and do not see God’s great grace and mercy. Life is here, but you do not know it. The pearl lies before you, but you tread it under foot. The table is set that satisfies our soul’s hunger, and the fountain that quenches our thirst forever flows forth. You pass by it, groping after the enticements of pleasures and letting the devil lead you to the poisoned waters of death. And what wretchedness lives within you! But you are dreaming in the sleep of sin. If only you could hear this! God’s Spirit speaks to you and says: “Repent, wake from sleep, and arise from the dead, then Christ will shine before you.” Truly, He is here and preaches for us. This is His voice: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And by the power of the Word, you can be converted. Why else has He given us the light, except that we should see? The sun is arisen over our fields so that we can walk by its light. The kingdom of heaven has come to us so that we can be converted. If we reject this our time of visitation, then it will be said: “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to hell” (Matthew 11:23).
Closing Prayer
O dear, gentle God, convert us, and we are converted. Save us and we are saved. Show us our sin, and reveal to us Your grace. Take from us all self-righteousness and all dead faith. Give us humility in our heart and true living, saving faith in You. Amen.
Hymn
There many shall come from the east and the west
And sit at the feast of salvation
With Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the blest,
Obeying the Lord’s invitation.
Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!
But they who have always resisted His grace
And on their own virtue depended,
Shall then be condemned and cast out from His face,
Eternally lost and unfriended.
Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!
O may we all hear when our Shepherd doth call,
In accents persuasive and tender,
That while there is time we make haste one and all
And find Him, our mighty Defender.
Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!
Landstad: There many shall come L 216:1-3 ELH 200:1-3 tr. P. Strømme;
tune: Der mange skal komme