Inspired by . . . Jesus Christ the Light of the World

Inspired by . . . Jesus Christ the Light of the World

"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." (Mat 4:16)

Matthew's gospel, his account of the Good News of Jesus Christ, declares this truth. In this verse, Matthew is quoting from Isaiah 9, verse 2:

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." (Isa 9:2)

When was the last time you had to wait for something? And even then, how long did you wait?

This side of the cross and in this culture of instant gratification, I think it is impossible for us to truly understand what the coming of the Messiah meant to the Jewish people.

When Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple it was the first word from God since the prophet Malachi, 400 years before! We can almost forgive Zechariah for doubting the celestial creature.

Four hundred years!

Yes, this was something to get excited about!

The songs of Mary and Zechariah further on in the first chapter of Luke give us more context as to the wonder of what was about to take place.

Perhaps Zechariah's doubt gives us a hint of why God sent John the Baptist as a herald, announcing Jesus before He arrived on the scene. To prepare their hearts to believe.

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." (John 1:6-8)

And so Jesus comes proclaiming that He is the Light of the world. The apostle John gives witness, saying, "In Him was life, and that life was the light of mankind."

This Light is the awakening of our spirit to the saving grace of God. Everything we know of the Divine, every spiritual joy and comfort beams directly from the Son.

Daniel says of God, "He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." (Dan 2:22)

And the writer of Hebrews declares:
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," (Heb 1:3)

Yet, despite all the miracles, all the signs and wonders and scriptures fulfilled,
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." (John 3:19)

We rejected the Light: Jesus Christ, scorned and rejected by mankind.

So did the Light go out?

No! Hallelujah! It did not! It became brighter still!

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)

Despite our rejection, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Anyone who receives Him, who hears His word and believes in the name of Jesus Christ will have life eternal.

Everlasting life - everlasting Light!

"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there." (Rev 21:23-25)

For this, we wait.

Blessings on your Advent,