Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches
January 2, 2005
“Lord, Shine Your Light on Me”
Isaiah 60:1-6
INTRODUCTION: Today’s scripture speaks of a prophecy that has been unfolding throughout history and which is still unfolding. To the people of Isaiah’s day, the prophecy seemed a long time in coming, but God was working out many details leading up to the birth of Jesus and the epiphany--the appearance of His light breaking into a darkened world. This Jesus who already existed with God before the foundation of the world, made His appearance in human flesh and revealed God to us. Let us look at how this prophecy gave hope and light to a darkened world.
I. Hope for a Darkened World: The prophet Isaiah looks to the future glory of Israel, a reflection of the Lord God himself. He calls them to arise and to shine for their light has come. Although darkness covers the whole earth now, he was telling them that it would not always be that way. Although the impenetrable darkness had enveloped Israel when she was not obeying God, they were encouraged to lift up their heads--to arise. In this prophecy there is a spotlight shining on Zion’s hill for all to see. People would be attracted to this light and be drawn toward it. They are encouraged to look toward this day when the streams of people would come from the far corners of the earth. People would come bearing appropriate gifts and find their place of worship. Those coming would include both Jews and Gentiles alike. Whereas before Jerusalem reflected the judgment of God, then it would reflect His grace and His favor. The prophet called the people not only to arise but to shine with this divine glory, the Source of which was God Himself.
The unfolding of this prophecy in their day was only partial as it is in ours until Christ comes back again and God’s final plan has unfolded. It is true that they returned home from captivity and the Persians helped in the rebuilding of the walls to the city; but the full impact of this light had not come yet. Fulfillment of it was beyond the Old Testament era. Perhaps to have the vision of hope was enough for them at the time as they waited and held these things in their hearts. It was a turning point for them. When the Jews returned from captivity, they had a measure of light, gladness, joy, and honor and were made to rejoice in His goodness. They had a small portion of this light but more was to come. When the Jews were settled again in their own land after the captivity, many other people joined them, but it does not appear that there ever was any such following to them as would answer the fullness of this prophecy. This looks to the time when the Gentiles would be brought into the church--flocking to Christ and coming by faith and hope. The gospel church is referred to as Zion and Jerusalem. In this sense all believers are said to come to it.
Hebrews 12:22 says, “You have come unto Mt. Zion to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” This serves as a key to the prophecy of people coming to Mt. Zion and Jerusalem.
II. Light Appearing in a Darkened World: The epiphany of the light finally came in the New Testament era. People reacted in different ways to the light just as they do today. There was apathy among the Jewish leaders who didn’t bother to check it out. There was hostility from Herod. The light was a threat to him and it troubled him. The Magi showed an eagerness to find and worship Jesus in spite of their limited knowledge. All of these people had scripture to inform them, but all did not receive the light once it came. People reacted in different ways just as they do today. Many did not think they needed the light. People did not consider the light of Christ when making their decisions. Neither do they today.
Story: Making Decisions in the Dark
Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to call on his best girl. “Why,” he exclaimed, “when I went a-courtin’ I never carried one of them things. I always went in the dark.” “Yes,” the hired man said wryly,” and look what you got!” Source unknown
The Magi or wise men, thought to be astrologers from Persia, responded to the light of the star and went to the capital city first looking for Jesus because it seemed to be a fitting place for a king to be born. They asked the question, “Where is he who is born king of the Jews that we may go and worship him?” (Matt. 2:2).
It is interesting to note that these wise men from the east recognized Jesus as the long awaited Messiah by these two things in their question:
1. Where is he that is born king of the Jews?
2. for we have seen his star and have come to worship him.
They recognized that he was born a king--it was not conferred upon him at some later time.
Another interesting thing here is that a visit to royalty was a time to pay homage or respect, but the wise men recognized deity and came to worship him. What a contrast of the wise men and the leaders who did not take the time or go to the trouble of even going to Bethlehem.
Some time had elapsed since Jesus’ birth. He may have been around two years old by that time. The wise men had traveled a long distance, but it made no difference that the journey was long. Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus were settled in a house by now. Months had passed. The wise men were still seeking Him. They weren’t groping in darkness for they said, “We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him” (Matt. 2:2). How did they know the star represented the Messiah? These eastern astrologers studied the ancient manuscripts, they knew about Old Testament prophecies, or maybe God just told them.
These men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh--expensive gifts worthy of a future king.
Some said:
gold is a gift fitting for a KING
frankincense--a gift fitting for a PRIEST
myrrh--a gift fitting for a BURIAL
When they got there, they worshiped him and “opened their treasure” to Him. Scripture says that “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21). I believe that this was a time when these people who had traveled so far for such a long time opened their hearts to Jesus the bearer of light into a darkened world.
What, then does this say to us who live in the 21st century?
III. Shining Forth in a Darkened World: Does Isaiah’s prophecy still speak to us?
Arise, Shine for thy light is come.
Paul and the myriad of others down through history tell us that we are included in the light. Paul wanted to make the message plain to everyone. He wanted to shed a flood of light on what had earlier been hidden so that no one would need to be in the dark anymore. This mystery now available to all had for long ages been hidden that not even the angels knew it.
The Word speaks to us individually as well as collectively today. YOU arise. YOU shine, for YOUR light has come. (Name)__________, Arise, (Name)_________Shine. YOUR light has come.
I Peter 2:9 says that we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
II Peter 1:19 says, “we have the word of the prophets and you will do well to pay attention to it as a light shining in a dark place.”
Many people say, “I live in a world of gross darkness where crime and violence run rampant. Where is the light? I can’t see the light. I don’t see any hope.” Many people say, My life is hopeless. I don’t even have a reason to live.” Where is the light for me today?”
Jesus said, “I AM the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
He is saying, “Arise, Shine. Your light is here” To those who are groping in darkness, sad, depressed, and alone, he says, “I AM the light.”
ILLUSTRATION: It has been said that “Some people change their ways when they see the light, others only when they feel the heat.”
Have you taken the first step to Arise out of your darkness? Have you lifted up your eyes to see the hope that Jesus has brought to you personally? (Isaiah 60:4).
Many times we grope in darkness and our eyes are blinded that we can’t see or understand spiritual truths. Paul said in II Cor. 4:4 that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.”
In today’s scripture, verse 6, God who said, “let light shine out of darkness made his light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
Has the Lord broken through to you in your dark times that you can now see the brightness of his light as shown through this gospel? If not, ask Him today to open your eyes and illuminate your pathway as he did for the wise men.
Once you have come into the light as Christians and have received, where do we go from here in our journey. He says, “Arise, SHINE. You arise to receive from the Lord, but you go beyond that to RADIATE the light out to people who don’t yet know and understand. You share the light and REFLECT it to those who are still stumbling along. We can share the light for Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “YE are the light of the world...let your light so shine before men that they may see your good work and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (vs. 16).
CONCLUSION: 1. Where in the range of darkness to radiance are you this week?
2.What aspect of your Christian life has become dull and needs to shine again?
3. What areas of your life have gained new sparkle?
4. What can help you shine more brightly this week?
LET US PRAY: “Lord, we ask that you shine Your light on us today in a new way. Break into our lives with new hope, with new radiance.
We will Arise and lift our heads to seek You. Open our understanding. Cause us to want to seek You as did the wise men of old. Thank you for shining on me today.
Let us as Christians shine out into a darkened world this week. Amen
