The people that sit in darkness have seen a great light.
By Fr. Felix (African Times Guest Writer)
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Matthew (4:-12-17, 23-25) first
introduces us to Galilee, characteristically quoting the scriptures to
show that they are being fulfilled, and in what way. Galilee is called
‘Galilee of the gentiles’ only in this passage, and it was not a
particularly notable feature of Galilee. Archaeology shows that
Jewish observance was strong in the region. Contemporary
literature shows that there was a lively tradition of prayerful
charismatic rabbis with a warm devotion to the Lord. Jesus begins
his ministry by proclaiming the imminence of the Kingdom of God,
which will be the subject of all his activity. Then he begins to form
the new Israel by calling his team together. The Christian
imagination tends to combine this scene with the scene with the
Baptist in the Jordan Valley in the gospel of John, which gives at
least Peter and Andrew some knowledge of Jesus. But today’s
narrative must be heard on its own, and the staggering factor is that
this is the first time at any rate the sons of Zebedee have set eyes on
Jesus. As he passes by he calls them, and such is the electrifying
power of his charismatic personality that they simply drop
everything and follow this total stranger – immediately, as the
evangelist stresses each time.
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