A Great Light

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”  Isaiah 9:2

It is sad to think about all the people of the past, present, and future who live their lives in darkness when the Light is so near to them.  The people back in the days of the prophet Isaiah were walking in darkness facing a future of gloom and despair because God would be punishing them for their idolatry by allowing the king of Babylon to capture the people of Jerusalem (II Kings 20:17).  But all was not lost in that the captivity would not last forever nor would it be as bad as that of the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulon, part of the northern kingdom of Israel, who were taken by the Assyrians.  The land of Galilee was located in this same area, which was the land that would be honored with the birth of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He would also preach in this same area, the prophecy of which was fulfilled according to Matthew 4:13-16.  In these verses, Jesus quoted the same verse, Isaiah 9:2, which is highlighted above.

All the people who wandered around in the dark without hope would have this great Light to shine upon them, but the Light for them was in the words of the prophets who directed and comforted the people of Judah and Israel.  They would not be privileged to be in the generation in which Christ was born, but they did have that hope that the Savior would soon come.  This promise of a Savior was made to Israel, who will one day recognize Christ as the Messiah.  God will bring them a harvest of love and care, and they will rejoice because their difficult days will be over.  God will break the yoke of the oppressors off the necks of the children of Israel.  For now, though, as we sometimes see on the news, Israel, from time to time, is attacked by her enemies and defends herself against them.  There seems to be no peace for that small area of land in the Middle East, but one day that will change.  While most battles are fought with a lot of confusion, noise, and bloodshed, the battle to break the yoke of sin and Satan will be done silently.  This is done by the Spirit working like fire upon the hearts of men and women.  Many have to wonder, considering the precarious position in which Israel finds herself among so many enemies, if peace will ever come, but know for sure that it will when Christ returns to reign victorious over the world.

How will this be accomplished?  Isaiah prophesied of Jesus who would be born in the future of Isaiah’s day.  Isaiah was so sure of this promise that he wrote as if it had already happened.  The Son of God would be born to a virgin and given to us as our Lord and Savior.  He is called Wonderful for He is both God and Man.  Webster’s Dictionary defines “wonder” as a person or a thing that causes astonishment and admiration.  I am afraid that we misuse the word “wonder” as we also misuse the word “awesome”.  These descriptions should only be used to describe Jesus and not a new car or a haircut.  Jesus is also known as Counselor, or Mediator, and He is our Advocate before the Father.  He is also The Mighty God, all God and all human, full of strength and power.  Jesus is also known as The Everlasting Father, another proof of His divinity.  And probably one of the most comforting of His names is Prince of Peace.  Without Him, there is no peace.  I think this is why so many folks cannot find the peace that they seek because they are looking in all the wrong places rather than leaning on the One whose peace is perfect.

When Jesus Christ returns to set up His kingdom, it will never end.  It will be perfect because He is perfect.  All His judgments are just.  Jesus’ zeal, that is His ardent devotion to His cause has made Him dedicated to carry out His mission, which for now is saving all those who come to Him in repentance and faith, and in the future, returning for His bride, the church which is made up of all believers who have trusted Him to save them.  So, when you see a nativity scene, in person or in a picture, considering the preceding facts, Jesus is certainly more than a Baby in a manger.  King Herod tried to destroy Jesus.  Many today are still trying to destroy Him or at least destroy His influence, but they will never be successful.  And on that, we can find comfort.