(Please read the Scripture passages first, before the homily.)
Why did Jesus go into Galilee after John had been arrested? It is not a strange question if you consider that no prophet had come from Galilee in over 700 years or that John had been preaching there before Jesus did. To make a long answer short, Jesus went to Galilee in order to continue the work of John.
Matthew presents this picture of Jesus. It is the picture of a man who is trying to know what God wants him to do. We come to this passage in the Gospel already knowing the complete picture. On another hand, we come to this passage after we have experienced personally the same quest to know what plans God has for us. It is a human picture, showing a human side of the divine person of Jesus.
We have this passage today as an example of the Epiphany or revelation of the Lord Jesus. This passage, is a Christmas-Epiphany passage. The infant born of Mary in Bethlehem, the One whom the magi-kings came to visit, is the same one who went into Galilee after John was jailed. This divine, all-knowing person also has a nature that seeks answers just as much as we have to look for answers.
When Jesus entered Galilee, he brought the light of God’s word to the darkness of Galilee. Galilee had been the first part of the Promised Land to go into exile centuries ago. It was the first place Jesus brought the light of God’s word. He may have gone out of respect for John, but preached the word of God effectively. Jesus may have been questioning how or where he should go, but his going to Galilee was marked with success.
Jesus’ divinity shows a spark of humanity in this passage. Today, may our humanity show a spark of divinity to others. May our seeking lead others to find what God has for them. May our words and work glorify the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, who humbled himself for our benefit. May our questions find answers and lead us to where God wants us.
(This homily is based on an article by Jerome Murphy-O’Conner in the Biblical Archaeology Review, February 1996.)