The Light of Jesus
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash.
What does the light of Jesus shining in the darkness of this world accomplish? How does the light of God illuminate hope and restoration in this life?
In the middle of darkness and brokenness, God desires to give his light, hope and restoration to every land and nation.
Isaiah prophesied, saying, “There will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” (Isaiah 9:1, ESV).
The light of Jesus gave hope through God making Jesus’ home the land of Zebulun, where Jesus’ childhood hometown of Nazareth was located, and Naphtali, where Jesus’ adult home and ministry base of Capernaum was located.
Jesus spent eighty percent of his life and ministry in “the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations”, which was often referred to as the evangelical triangle.
The Prophet Isaiah spoke about the coming of Jesus, the hope of the nations, and the light of the northern tribal lands, saying, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2, ESV).
Jesus shines the light of hope into the deepest of darkness. The light of the incarnation, Jesus—The Light of the World, illuminates the deep darkness of every land and nation—light for the most contemptible places and people.
When Jesus began his ministry, Matthew’s good news accounting tells us “when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
‘The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.’” (Matthew 4:13-17, ESV).
May we receive the Light piercing our darkness wherever we find ourselves.
A Collect for the Eve of The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day: “O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
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Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash.
