I am a Jesus pusher!!! 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 was going to Galilee to establish a new ministry. The people of this area are described as “sitting” in a place. It is not described in physical boundaries such as the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (Matthew 4:15) even though this was their physical location. It is described as the region and shadow of death. The Greek word (chora) translated region usually refers to an uninhabited or sparsely settled land in contrast to cultivated area or cities. In our passage this refers to a dwelling place over which there is a shadow of death. It is a dwelling place (abstract), which is not a place (concrete)! This does not mean it is not real, but it is not a description of a physical place.
In the Scriptures, there is a spiritual reality in our lives, which is referred to as a place. I cannot physically remove myself from this place. In other words, if I physically relocate, I simply take my spiritual place with me. I do not move in and out of this spiritual dwelling. It is like a gigantic bubble surrounding me at all times. It is the very atmosphere of my being. It is my “spot.” Often, I thought my personal problems were caused by my physical location; in reality, they are a result of my spiritual place. Jesus invades my spiritual dwelling; He is the light! I give Him the right of way in my dwelling place. I am a Jesus pusher!!!