Strategically Placed

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Strategically Placed.
Christine DiGiacomo
Today at 1:39 PM

Strategically Placed. Matthew 4.12-17

It was not an accident that Jesus settled in the region of Galilee, setting up headquarters in Capernaum; it was strategic.

Where you live and work, who your neighbors are,

is no accident either—you are strategically placed.

Following Matthew’s account of Jesus’ fasting and temptation in the wilderness, he writes, “Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he departed to Galilee.”1 (In truth, nearly a year had passed between Matthew 4.11 and 4.12--John was in hot water because he had called Herod out for seducing his brother’s wife and taking her as his own wife. Matthew will later give us more details about John’s imprisonment3) But for now, why would Jesus leave his hometown of Nazareth and travel some 20 miles to Galilee?

From the accounts of Jewish historian, Josephus, Galilee was not large, but contained some 204 villages, all with no less than 15,000 residents4; so Jesus went to preach, to touch, and to appeal to a very densely populated region. John the Baptist had preached to these people, but was now imprisoned unable to reach them any longer. Jesus goes.

In addition, Matthew makes it clear that it was also to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”5 Key: It was no accident Jesus was in Galilee and Jesus was strategically placed—the Light coming into the Darkness.

One thing is certain--Jesus did not wake one morning and say, ‘Today I think I should like to see something different; I’m kinda tired of being around home anyway, so heading to Galilee for some fishing sounds like a good change of pace.’ We must never lose sight of the fact that everything Jesus said and did was by intention. He said, I do nothing on my own initiative … I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.6 Truly,

Jesus only said and did what the Father gave him to do.7

[You know, I sometimes pray accordingly. For instance, before a big meeting or a radio interview, when I am leading a Bible study or prayer group—I pray, ‘God, help me to say what you would have me say—nothing more, and nothing less. Help my words to be honoring.’]

Jesus knew what he was doing when he went to Capernaum, and made it the headquarters of his ministry. Two of the great international trade routes passed through or by the Galilee: the Via Maris traveled from Egypt along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea up into the Galilee and beyond into Syria, Mesopotamia and Asia Minor, and the King's Highway came out of Mesopotamia through Damascus and passed to the east of the Galilee, with many minor routes crossing over to join the Via Maris. Jesus didn't have to work to find people to hear His Gospel message -- crowds of people traveled these trade routes, especially at the time of the prescribed Holy Day festivals.8 Strategic.

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”9 Jesus’ message picked up where John’s left off—“Repent!” The Greek word meant ‘change your mind,’ ‘change your direction’. John the Baptist had gone before Jesus, telling the people to repent, and get ready.

Jesus now steps into his earthly ministry, by saying, ‘yes, Repent; turn your direction from the way you have been going.' Instead of going away from God, walk toward him.’ I am the one Isaiah was talking about—I am the great light!

Indeed Jesus is the Light in a world that can often seem so very dark. If you’ve found him, if he has changed your life, you are the only one in your position to share that light with those around you. Yes, you my friend are strategically placed—there is no greater joy, no greater adventure than sharing that Light.

Christine
PastorWoman.com

1 – Matthew 4.12

2 - really interesting piece about the area: https://stepharieger.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/the-jesus-trail-40-mi...

3 – The early days of Jesus’ ministry are recorded in John chapters 1 -4

4 – William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew: The New Daily Study Bible, Volume One.

5 – Matthew 4.15-16

6 – John 5.19

7 – John 12.49

8 – Agape Bible Study.com

9 - Matthew 4.17