A Great Light Has Dawned

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, Light has dawned.” 

(Matthew 4:16)

Jesus had just spent forty days and nights fasting in the desert wilderness. Satan, having come to Him three times to try and tempt Him, had failed to do so. Then Jesus' angels came to Him and served Him.

Thus, Jesus began His Galilean ministry.

The first thing it says of Jesus after this is:

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

I love the Word of God. It makes all things so simple.  

Jesus didn't go out and hire a business manager and professional musicians, scout out suitable venues or amphitheaters, and arrange for various food vendors. He didn't have evangelistic programs printed up and signature cards for new believers. 

No, He went out, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and He preached; saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (or, has come near).

How rare it is that anyone still does this today.

We think we need to practice "friendship evangelism"—which basically means, get to know someone first, build a good relationship with them, then spring the gospel on them. You'll have less chance of offending someone with the gospel if you've taken several weeks, or even months to build a good friendship with them first. Or, so people seem to think.

But Jesus and His disciples didn't do this.

They simply preached the Gospel as they went along. They weren't trying to be politically correct.

Preaching repentance is something you hear less and less of these days. Many people will say, "We're just supposed to love people."

One guy I know said to me, "All I'm commanded to do is love my fellow man."

However, that is not all Christ commands His followers to do.

The Word could have stated, "And from that time Jesus went out and just began to love His fellow man."

But the Bible never states that or teaches it.

Another friend of ours once said to me; "It's the Holy Spirit's job to convict people. We're just supposed to love them."

That is also not quite accurate. 

The apostle Paul wrote to one of his disciples:

“Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” (Titus 1:9)

The Holy Spirit lives in us. He speaks through us as we speak the Word to people. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to preach, and speak the Truth in love, This is how God gets His message out to people who need to hear it. Once His message has been received by a person, then the Holy Spirit will convict their heart about it, as they openly receive it.

“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

So what does it mean to repent?

It literally means to turn from your sin, and turn and go the other direction, towards God. And to change your mind, and think differently afterward.

"Change my mind about what?" you may ask.

To change your mind that you don't need God or need saving. To change your mind that you are okay without Him. To change your mind if you think you're not a sinner, and that you haven't broken God's laws.

Paul the apostle wrote:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

As well as:

“There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Jesus Himself said:

“No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

We all need Jesus and we all need saving. And only Jesus can save.

And He loves the whole world with a love beyond our full comprehension.

Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:16-21)

We need to share the entire truth of what Jesus said with people. Not just that God loves them. But also why He went to the cross to save them—from their sin.

Speak to the hearts and spirits of people. God can only change individuals and nations from the inside out.

All people need Jesus.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.