Light/Christ Series

Light/Christ Isaiah 9:2

During this season of Advent, we’ve spent our time focusing on the prophets of the Old Testament as they foretold of the coming of the Messiah. Interestingly, there are 2 Hebrew words for prophet: one is nabi: to bubble over. They would get a word from God and it would bubble over to the audience the prophet was called to give it to. The other Hebrew word is roeh: seer. God gifted these great individuals to be able to see into the future, even if dimly, to get a partial glimpse of God’s great plan of redemption for a broken and fallen world.

The great 7th century prophet Isaiah got a glimpse of the coming of Jesus the Messiah. He saw enough of it to consider it good as done. That’s what faith does: it considers the promises of God so true as to consider them a done deal.

Let me read it to you: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” Isaiah 9:2

Let’s talk about darkness for awhile. Scientists describe darkness as the absence of light. The more absence of light there is, the more darkness there is. Generally, there are shades of darkness caused by varying degrees of light. For instance, as the sun sets and its light is obscured by the horizon of the earth, it begins to get dark. But darkness in the city isn’t all that dark. There are street lamps and car lights. Even inside our houses, all the lights may be out but there are night lights and electric clock lights and porch lights so that it’s not totally dark. I think the most darkness I’ve ever been in above ground was in Africa. We were out in the middle of the Mosai Mara bush, no civilization for miles and miles. Inside the compound there were lights from a generator after the sun went down. We were safe because they had a high voltage electric fence around us to keep us from the lions and tigers and bears—Oh my! But at midnight they turned off all electricity—except for the fence! As I lay there, I became aware of two incredible realities: one was how thankful I was for the electric fence! On the other side of the fence I heard lions roar and jackals squeal. The only protection were the 6 strands of wire 18” apart making a 9’ barrier. The other reality was how dark it was. No lights within 100 miles or so. Pitch black.

But then laying on my back out in the middle of the compound I stared at the stars—I’ve never seen so many. The blackness, darkness, highlighted these sparkling, celestial orbs shining at us from millions and billions of light years away. I couldn’t see anything around me, but I could see so much above me.

Then the sun came up and I could see the structures in the compound, and other people, and…the electric fence!

Prior to Jesus, the world was in darkness. Yes, there were some lights shining much like the stars I saw in Africa. There was the light of the 10 commandments that gave us insight into the moral character of God. There were the lights of the prophets as they pointed to both the justice of God and the redemption of God.

But then Jesus came into the world. And just like the sun popping up over the horizon, He revealed the personal nature of God and the wonderful plan of God.

Yet darkness still exists in our world. People still live in ignorance of the gospel of God and his plan to redeem and restore broken people. There are some man-made lights. All religions promise light—but they’re man-made; human attempts to reach God. There is materialism and sensuality and ?? that promise to be light to the soul—but they too are man made lights that eventually burn out.

But Isaiah said there was a great light that would dispel the darkness. Jesus ascribed that designation to Himself. In John 8:12 Jesus says, ““I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Jesus doesn’t say He is A light; He claims to be THE light; the light that pushes back the darkness; the light that shows the way; the light that brings light. Have Him, and you have the Light. Have Him, and life begins to make sense. Have Him and experience a life that overcomes darkness.

That’s what we believe. That’s what we celebrate. John 1:4 says, “That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not—and cannot overcome it.”

Light the candle…light the candles…Silent Night