YOUR EVERLASTING LIGHT

 

January 9, 2025

Isaiah 60:1-6

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

2 See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

and his glory appears over you.

3 Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
6 Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense

and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

__________________________

Matthew 2:1-3

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, 

during the time of King Herod, 

Magi (wisemen) from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, 

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? 

We saw his star when it rose 

and have come to worship him.”

__________________________

Let your light come, O Lord, let it shine on me this day;

let your glory rise upon me. Amen

Our Bible readings above are two key readings used during the season of Epiphany. Remember what we said yesterday that Epiphany is the season of revelation, unveiling, that answers the question Who Is Jesus? 

Isaiah 60 speaks of a time when God will rise like the sun over Israel: his glory will appear and nations and kings will be drawn to the brightness of the light.

In Matthew 2:1-3, we are told that the light of Isaiah's prophecy is given to the Wisemen through a Star, and in response to this star the Wisemen journey to Bethlehem to pay homage to a newborn king.

In these details we are invited to see that the new empire is revealed as a realm for all people, "the nations" will come to the light. When we put the details of Isaiah 60 and Matthew 2 together they teach us that, Jesus is the glory and light of God that appeared, fulfilling Isaiah's vision of a kingdom characterized by peace, righteousness, salvation and praise.

Listen to this part of Isaiah's prophetic teaching. The time will come he says when,

The sun will no more be your light by day,

nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,

for the Lord will be your everlasting light,

and your God will be your glory.

Is 60:19

Think about what this is saying, one of the promises we have to look forward to in Christ is to dwell in a new heaven and earth with Him as our light. Can you imagine this? On that day, we will see clearly and respond with our whole heart to His will for us. The reality is that we are even now beginning to walk in this light, each time we grow a little more in our love for God and our love for our neighbor. Isn't that what Jesus was saying in John 8:12? “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

LET US PRAY

Like the wisemen of old, O God, I am overwhelmed with joy at the presence of your incarnate Son, and like them I kneel before you this day to offer my gift, the gift of myself. Amen.