"Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." (Matthew 4:12-16)

In the movie “Amazing Grace,” William Wilberforce is found by his butler lying in the wet grass looking at flowers, bugs, and the sky.

His butler asks, “You found God, sir?”
Wilberforce responds, “I think He found me.”

Wilberforce had it right. The Son of God can and does “spring up” in the most unlikely of places and in the most unlikely of people.

Jesus is the true light that springs up by the sovereign power of God.

The Gentiles in Galilee were not looking for Jesus but He sprang up there! That is why it is called grace! Jesus is light to those who need Him. The truth is, the people at Nazareth were in just as much darkness as those in Capernaum. They just didn't know it.

Life without Christ is darkness. But when Jesus sovereignly “springs up” in the heart of one of God’s children, Light now dwells where there was once utter darkness!

The gospel brings life and immortality to light. This does not mean it gives life. It sheds light on the life of Christ already in the person. It is the knowledge of Christ that is the true light of understanding and peace.