...two things stood out for me.
first, the theme of obedience that leads to fullfillment of yet another messianic prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2). and the second in verse 17, "Jesus began to preach and to say Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand..." which sounds familiar to what John, who is now in prison has been preaching in order to "prepare the way"... for Jesus!
what does this passage reveal about God?
that when we are obedient and in line with His will, we can be used mightily of God
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Helen, your attention back to the theme of obedience had lead me to think harder on its importance and its necessity in our relationship with God. Without it, we cannot please God, we cannot worship God properly, and nor can we repent properly. I am beginning to realize that there is a crucial relationship between obedience and repentance and repentance and obedience. There is a mysterious harmony between the two. True repentance brings about true obedience yet the act of repentance is an act of obedience of turning from wickedness and turning to God. Can the call to repentance be a call to obey the Lord our God? And why? So that we may please God the Father, worship and give glory to Him properly and as Helen pointed out, to be usable for mighty deeds for the Lord.
I really can't help say how God's words are so important. Jesus knew what God wanted him to do and what those old words saying. Isn't it amazing how old the prophecy is? Like Jesus completed God's will through following those old words, don't we really need to read God's words to know what God wants us to do?
As I think about the words Jesus started to preach, it reminds me of the urgency to repent. As Lynn states, the act of repentance goes hand in hand with obedience. One can not happen with out the other. So knowing that there is this urgency, you would think you would be repenting all the time. But if you can not commit to obeying the Lord, then the act of repentance can never really happen.
Thanks for the post Helen and the comments everyone :)
thank you, helen, for an insightful reflection in which you point out the relationship between obedience and the fulfillment of prophecy.
i was actually struck by the prophecy itself, which states,
"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"
(v 16).
i think we're the people "living in darkness . . . in the land of the shadow of death".
we don't like to think of it this way, but anytime we turn away from God and live in defiance of His Word and what we know to be right and true,
we are dwelling in the land of "darkness and shadows". when we live in this kind of darkness, we've no idea how serious, how urgent our spiritual condition is.
Jesus urges us to turn from the darkness to the Light.
the way to do that is to "repent". the matter is urgent because "the kingdom of heaven is near" (verse 17).
true, genuine, heartfelt, ongoing repentance is the requirement. as wretched a process as it is, repentance is the first word of grace.
Thank you for your comment.
Jesus preached people to repent. Repentence is not just feelng sorry about what you have done, but true repentence brings about deliberate act of turning away from one's sin and turning to God. We can truly repent when
we see God's holiness and righteouness. We see ourselves and know who we are in light of Who God is.
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