By Oyesomi Rotimi Michael
Many would have wondered why Jesus decided to meet the Apostles or Disciples in Galilee? Why not any other place? Is there any significant reason for this chosen point of meeting? Why did Jesus choose Galilee as His last place of appearance, fellowship, conversation, instructions, and discipleship training for the Apostles or Disciples?
Let's check out some BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE & RELEVANCE abou GALILEE, both in the Old and New Testaments.
👉 GALILEE was mentioned SIX TIMES (5 in the historical books, 1 in the Major Prophets) in the Old Testament book of the Bible; and a close study of these places where it was mentioned, showed that it was a GREAT CITY, a well established city, a city mentioned by the great Prophet Isaiah in one of his prophecies regarding the COMING MESSIAH. (Joshua 20:7; 21:32; I Kings 9:11; 2 Kings 15:29; I Chronicles 6:76; Isaiah 9:1)
👉 In the Old Testament, and when the land was shared among the children of Israelites; God asked Joshua to set aside KEDESH IN GALILEE as a CITY OF REFUGE, where anyone who runs thereto after he or she had mistakenly or unintentionally committed MURDER, would be temporarily rescued and saved from being killed by the people, and accommodated until he or she faces TRIAL, or judgment was passed (Joshua 20:2-9).
👉 In 2 Kings 15:29, GALILEE was among the cities that were taken into captivity in Assyria by Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, in the days of Pekah king of Israel. However, Isaiah 9:1 revealed how God would restore the city from contempt and captivity or slavery, and make it famous and glorious. Hence, it is a city that typifies the WORK OF SALVATION, and the REDEMPTION of humanity to God through Jesus Christ.
👉 Jesus was taken to Nazareth in GALILEE after His parents returned from Egypt, for safety from king Archelaus, son of Herod, who had initially sought for Jesus in order to kill Him. There, he grew up and lived alongside His family. (Matthew 2:22)
👉 It was from Nazareth in GALILEE that Jesus came to John The Baptist (His FORERUNNER) at Jordan River to be baptized, and thereby, being approved for His ministry by the Father. (Matthew 3:13)*
👉 Jesus later relocated to Capernaum also in GALILEE (a city at the border of Zebulun and Naphtali), after John The Baptist was killed. This city later became Jesus' permanent residence, where several miracles were wrought by Him, and His ministry became famous and extended to other cities.Hence, it was this city that served as the FOUNDATION, PILLAR & ROOT for Christ's ministry, and in the fulfilment or accomplishment of His purpose on earth. (Matthew 4:12-17; 23-25)
👉 Apostle Peter (who later became the foremost and most influential apostle), his brother Andrew, James and John (sons of Zebedee), were all discovered and called into discipleship and apostleship at the SEA OF GALILEE; with Peter, James and John later becoming the THREE INNERMOST COUNCIL of our Lord Jesus Christ, having been the EARLIEST SET OF DISCIPLES, who witnessed the beginning and expansion of Christ's ministry on earth. (Matthew 4:18-22)
👉 From research, majority of *Christ's childhood, youthful stage and adulthood; alongside his ministerial messages, teachings, journeys, assignments, discipleship trainings, healings, miracles etc.,were driven from or based in several cities in and around GALILEE. It was a city that the life and times of Jesus Christ can be traced to; and hence, *a city that carries great SIGNIFICANCE & RELEVANCE in Christianity as a religion, and also in Biblical History or Geography.
WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF GALILEE TO CHRISTIANS?
👉 It signifies a place of FELLOWSHIP & COMPANIONSHIP with the Lord. It is a place where, the MYSTERIES of the kingdom are revealed to the SONS OF GOD. It is a place full of INSIGHTS, INSPIRATION & REVELATIONS. It is a place where we enter into the HOLY OF HOLIES with the Lord. It is a place of INTIMACY & AFFECTION. It is a place of ENLIGHTENMENT & REAWAKENING. It is a place of EMPOWERMENT & REFRESHING.
👉 It signifies a place of commissioning for KINGDOM SERVICE & DUTY. It is a place where we are reminded of our responsibility and duty to EVANGELIZE & PREACH THE GOSPEL to every race, tribe, culture, tradition, nation. It is a place where we receive DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS & DIRECTIVES as soldiers of Christ on sojourn.
It is a place where we receive STRENGTH & GRACE to win souls for the kingdom. It is a place where we are FULLY KITTED & EQUIPPED to rescue people from perishing, and restore them from DARKNESS, into the marvelous LIGHT of Christ.
👉 It is a place of REMINDER, that the Son of God will return as promised. It is a place to PREPARE OUR HEART daily, for the rapture of the SAINTS. It is a place of CONSCIOUSNESS & WATCHFULNESS. It is a place where we are constantly warned of the dangers of LIVING FOR THE VANITIES & GAINS of this world.
It is a place of REASSESSMENT & READJUSTMENT. It is a place where we crucify the FLESH daily, and feed our SPIRIT MAN the more. It is a place of SELF REALIZATION & SELF DISCOVERY. It is a place where our life is MOULDED & TRANSFORMED in total conformity with God's WILL, PRECEPTS & STANDARDS. It is a place of TOTAL SURRENDER & SEPARATION to God.
✍️ GALILEE EXPERIENCE shouldn't just be a yearly event or occurrence; but rather, a DAILY EXPERIENCE & ENCOUNTER. Hence, Galilee is a place, where everyone aiming or aspiring to be EARTHLY RELEVANT for Christ, and ETERNALLY RESIDENT with Christ, must DESIRE at all cost to be at ALL TIMES.
📖 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8)
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