From Matthew 4:12-18 / A Great Light! – Because Matthew is always aiming on proving Jesus’ Messiah-ship, more than the other Gospel writers, he demonstrates how Jesus’ life and works fulfill prophecy. This passage contains the 7th out of nearly 20 direct references in Matthew to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. And here he cites that famous chapter where we also find the words: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isa. 9:6-7) Note that this “great light” is nothing more and nothing less than Jesus’ presence among them, and His preaching the message of the Kingdom. ‎The light was not IN them, though it was among them and they could see it. As is often said by Mark Ward, “edification requires intelligibility”and so it is even with the Son of Man. Jesus simply dwelling among them in this dark region brought no saving light, apart from His preaching to repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And while in our day, preaching is often looked down upon as a poor means of communication, it is the means the Master appropriated for Himself, sent His disciples out to do, and is still His appointed means to bring light into darkness. Mere symbols cannot do it. If one were to present a cross to the native tribes of an un-reached people group – it could have no effect upon them unless the meaning behind the Cross is explained. We cannot merely “live” Christ, we must preach Him; make His person and work known. Declare His deity, proclaim His perfections, make the case for His substitutionary atonement, and call men to repent of their sins – especially of self-righteousness, self-sufficiency and rebellion against His right to rule and reign over them. As was the watchword of Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle: “We preach Christ, and Him crucified.” And when we keep to that, those who dwell in darkness, will indeed see a great light.