Overcome the Darkness

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 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.” (Matthew 4:13-16)

After John the Baptizer was jailed, Jesus began his ministry by picking up John's mantle, calling for repentance. But when Jesus proclaimed that the kingdom of God had come near he was speaking both literally of himself and figuratively of the effect his ministry would have on the world - on the places of darkness that would be revealed and changed by the light of God's love. This light would bring justice, peace and new life to those living on society's margins as a result of poverty, disease, and divisive governing. Jesus had to go to the very places where his message would seem the most threatening in order to illuminate the darkest places.

We are called to shine the same light on the dark places of our society and world. Where justice is still a dream, where food deserts make wholeness impractical, where schools and churches are not safe havens, where choosing homelessness is more viable than finding community - in these places the darkness encroaches, threatening to overtake the Light. But the dream lives, the Light shines, and we have the power to repent - changing our hearts and minds - ushering in the kingdom of God. We must shine the Light with our actions, our voice, and our vote.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Ph.D.