November 28, 2004

THE GALILEAN

"Meanwhile Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when a serving-maid accosted him and said, 'You were there too with Jesus the Galilean' " (Matthew 26;69, NEB).

Because of His longstanding association with the people of Galilee, Christ eventually earned the familiar title, "The Galilean." He was brought up in Galilee and spent most of His life in that region.

The region of Galilee became the main scene of our Saviour's activities. The records of Jesus' ministry indicate that, He "went throughout Galilee teaching... preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease" (Matthew 4:23, NIV). He conducted at least three extensive missionary tours throughout Galilee where multitudes flocked to see and hear Him. Capernaum, one of the cities of Galilee, became known as "his own town" (Matthew 9:1, NIV). It was from this center that Jesus set out on each of His evangelistic tours throughout the towns of Galilee. With such a background in Galilee, Jesus became known as the "Galilean."

But who is this remarkable Galilean? He is more than a great and good man. He is the Son of God and the Son of man. He is the Messiah, the Redeemer of the world. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29, NKJV). This Galilean is the Lord of history and the hope of the world; He is the soon-coming king. With Mrs. C. H. Morris, author of the song, "The Stranger of Galilee," may we also claim Him as Saviour and "love Him forever, the Stranger of Galilee," Of the Galilean, Ellen White wrote, "They heard His teachings, and witnessed the exhibitions of divine power in the miracles which he performed; and day by day their faith increased, that this unassuming Galilean peasant was indeed the promised Messiah, who should restore the kingdom to Israel."--Signs of the Times, January 8, 1885.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I have been captured by the power of the great Galilean, I accept anew the "Stranger of Galilee." Amen.