Go! And Shine the Light of Christ
Isaiah 60:3 (NLT): “All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”
Introduction
Imagine for a moment a darkened stadium. The power goes out. Thousands sit in confusion, waiting in silence. Suddenly, a single torch is lit. The flame is small, but every eye in the stadium fixes on it. That one light becomes the focus, the hope, the guide in the midst of darkness.
In a world filled with spiritual darkness, God has called His people to be light-bearers, and Isaiah gives us a vision of this: nations streaming toward the light of God’s glory. This is not our light, but the light of Christ shining through us.
Today, we are going to explore this verse in the context of God’s grand plan of redemption. We will see how Isaiah points forward to Christ, the true Light of the world, and what it means for us today to live as those who shine His light in a darkened generation.
The Text in Context – Isaiah’s Prophetic Vision
Isaiah 60:3 (NLT): “All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”
Isaiah was writing to a people who had experienced exile, despair, and hopelessness. Jerusalem was broken, the temple destroyed, and the people scattered. Yet in Isaiah 60, the prophet looks beyond their immediate despair to the glorious future God has promised. He envisions a time when the glory of the Lord will rise upon His people, drawing nations and rulers into that light.
The Hebrew word for light here is ???? (’or), meaning illumination, brightness, or dawn. It speaks not only of physical light, but of God’s presence and salvation breaking into human darkness. The word for radiance is ?????? (nogahh), meaning splendour, shining brilliance, the glow of divine glory.
Isaiah is not simply speaking about the rebuilding of a city. He is pointing to a Messianic hope: the Light of God revealed fully in Jesus Christ.
Point 1 – Jesus is the Light of the World
John 8:12 (NLT): “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”
When Jesus declared Himself the Light of the World, He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. He didn’t just bring light—He is the light. The Greek word for light here is f?? (phos), meaning not just illumination, but the very source of life-giving truth.
In the Old Testament, light symbolised God’s presence: the pillar of fire guiding Israel, the Shekinah glory in the tabernacle, the lampstand in the temple. Now Jesus is the embodiment of that light—God with us.
When you follow Jesus, you don’t stumble through the dark halls of despair, sin, and confusion. His Word lights your path, His Spirit guides your steps, His presence dispels your fears.
John Piper once said, “When Jesus claims to be the Light of the world, He is saying, ‘I am the truth, I am the way, I am the life, and outside of Me all is darkness.’”
As your pastor-heart, I must echo Piper’s point: there is no other light that can guide us to eternal life. Not philosophy, not religion, not self-help—only Jesus.
A lighthouse on a rocky coast does not remove the rocks or calm the waves, but it provides the light to guide the ship safely to harbour. Jesus doesn’t always remove our storms, but He is the light that guides us through them.
Point 2 – The Nations Are Drawn to Christ
Revelation 21:23–24 (NLT): “The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.”
Isaiah’s prophecy looks forward to this eternal reality. The nations will come—not to Israel’s greatness, not to our churches’ buildings—but to Christ Himself.
The Lamb—Jesus—is the light of the New Jerusalem. All who are saved will walk in His eternal glory. This is the fulfilment of Isaiah’s vision: kings, rulers, and people from every tribe and tongue streaming to the Light of the Lamb.
This should give us courage in mission. Sometimes we look at the world and think the darkness is winning. But Isaiah reminds us that nations will come to the light. Our task is not to manufacture the light, but to reflect the light of Christ faithfully.
Tim Keller once said, “The gospel is not just the ABCs of Christianity but the A to Z. Everything in the Christian life is driven by the gospel.”
Friends, if the nations are to be drawn, it will not be to our cleverness, our programs, or our traditions—it will be to the gospel light of Jesus shining through His people.
Think of moths drawn to a flame. They cannot resist it. So it is with the gospel light—when Christ shines, hearts are irresistibly drawn to Him.
Point 3 – We Are Called to Shine His Light
Matthew 5:14–16 (NLT): “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Jesus declares that His followers share in His mission: we are light-bearers.
The word “shine” in verse 16 is ?aµp?? (lampo), meaning to radiate brilliantly. It’s not about us generating the light—it’s about reflecting Christ’s light to others.
This means our words, actions, and attitudes must display Christ. Are people drawn closer to Jesus by the way we live? Does our radiance point them to the Saviour?
Max Lucado said, “A small candle can do what the sun cannot: it can shine in the darkness.”
Church, you may feel small, unnoticed, unimportant—but your light in Christ can pierce the darkest corners of your workplace, your family, your neighbourhood.
The Gospel Call – Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Isaiah’s prophecy finds its ultimate fulfilment in the cross and resurrection of Christ. On the cross, darkness covered the land (Matthew 27:45). But three days later, the stone was rolled away, and the Light of the World rose victorious.
This is the gospel:
Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3).
He was buried, proving His death.
He rose again, conquering sin, death, and darkness forever.
To walk in His light, you must repent of your sins, turn from darkness, and trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Call to Action – Responding to the Light
Friends, the nations will come to the light of Christ. Kings will bow before Him. But the question is: Have you?
If you are a believer: Go! And shine His light. Don’t hide your faith. Live boldly, speak courageously, love sacrificially.
If you are not yet a believer: Come to the light of Jesus today. Step out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Charles Stanley once said: “God will never direct you to be prideful, arrogant, or unforgiving, immoral or slothful. He will direct you to shine with humility, love, and service because that is the light of Christ.”
During World War II, blackouts were enforced in London. No street lamps, no house lights, nothing visible that could guide enemy planes. Yet, even a single candle accidentally left in a window could be seen for miles by those flying overhead. That tiny flame could reveal a city.
Beloved, your life may feel like one small flame in a dark world. But if Christ is your light, even the smallest glow can lead someone to the Saviour.
Benediction:
Go now, as children of the Light. Let the radiance of Christ shine in your hearts, in your homes, and in your communities. May nations see His glory through you, and may kings be drawn not to your name, but to the Name above every name—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
