You Have Time to Read the Bible: Brighter and Brighter! | Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 3:16-17, 4:1-2, 12-17

Today we’re going to continue on our theme of how Jesus is the light in a dark world. Are you in a dark time in your life right now? Jesus is the Light, and with Him, times of darkness do not last forever.

Show Notes:

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Transcription:

It’s that time of year where it seems darkest, even though it is getting brighter and brighter every single day. Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host, and you and I are getting closer to Jesus, the light of the world. Seven minutes at a time. Every weekday you and I are opening up God’s Word. I believe this is going to make 2024 our brightest year yet. Today we’re going to continue on our theme of how Jesus is the light in a dark world, perhaps in a dark time in your life right now. Would you join me in Isaiah chapter nine? Isaiah was a prophet again, one of God’s mail carriers. When God had a message, he tapped the shoulder of a prophet, tapped on their heart and said, I want you to share this. And boy did God have a message for Isaiah and for you and for me. Isaiah nine now, beginning in verse one.

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

I want to pitch a small tent before we go on reading the promises of God. I love how Isaiah wrote that the time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. Perhaps that’s something you need to hear right now, right in this moment. Times of darkness do not last forever and even in the darkness that is so often when Jesus Christ shines the brightest, reach out for him. He’s there. Verse two now.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

We’re going to talk about who made this happen in moments, but first, oh, I’ve got the good chills because you know how you and I just read that times of darkness must end? But also the Lord’s government someday when he sets it up, will never end. It’s peace will never end. That’s something I want. Don’t you? Peace, a just rule that never ends. Yes, please. Right. Okay. I want you to join me now in Matthew chapter four [three] because we are going to see the fulfillment of the promises that you and I just read about from the prophet Isaiah. Maybe the word Galilee rang out a little bit for you, like a little bell in your mind, you might think of the sea of Galilee. Galilee was a place where Jesus did most of his ministry on this planet. So join me now in Matthew chapter three, beginning in verse 16. I want to take you to the moment when Jesus is baptized by his cousin, we call him John the Baptist.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Wow, we’re learning so much about Jesus today, aren’t we? He is so loved and because of him we are so loved. Well, after that marvelous moment, kind of that mountaintop high, Jesus was taken to a valley. Join me now in Matthew chapter four, beginning in verse one.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

Now, because this is the Bible for Busy People, we don’t have time to dive into this scene, but let’s just say Jesus won. He resisted the temptation of the devil, which means you and I can too. And then angels came and attended him, which I always thought was such a beautiful thing. Verse 12 now, in Matthew chapter four, we pick up the story.

When Jesus heard that John,

John the Baptist.

…had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Indeed. So what did we learn about Jesus today? He’s the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the fulfillment of every promise of God. Until tomorrow, you are really loved.

Thank you for making time for the Bible, for Busy People today. If being part of this community is a blessing to you, it’s super easy to share this podcast with someone you love. We’re all about spreading the hope of Jesus like butter. So, if you’ve got a moment to write a review, boy, we’d really appreciate that. Maybe you need a little prayer today, or you are ready to take that next step with God. I invite you to check out our show notes. You’re going to find lots of encouragement there. This podcast is one branch on a tree called Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and thrive in God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.