Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....November 14, 2022
Advent is a celebration of hope concerning the arrival and appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This message looks at some of the symbolism and prophecies related to Advent. This sermon can also be used for Epiphany.Today marks the official first day of Advent. Advent is a celebration of hope concerning the arrival, or appearing, of the Messiah who was foretold by the prophets of old; the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who appeared on the scene bringing salvation from our sins.
In Titus chapter 2, we read, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men . . . looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people” (Titus 2:11, 13-14). Though this text is a reference to Christ’s Second Advent, or His return, it gives us an idea of the expectation which surrounds His appearing.
Again, Advent is a celebration of hope concerning the arrival and appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With this understanding in mind, let us now stand in honor of God’s Word, as we read Isaiah chapter 60, verses 1-3 and verse 6:
Verses 1-3 – Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising . . .
Verse 6 – The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.
This passage is a prophecy about the arrival of the Messiah; but it also refers to the visit of the Wise Men. When we look at the account of the Magi, found in Matthew chapter 2, we read where King Herod plotted to have Jesus killed; and the text says that “he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under” (v. 16). Based on what I just read, scholars will say that Jesus was somewhere around the age of two at the time the Magi arrived. Matthew chapter two also refers to Jesus multiple times as “the Child” (vv. 8-9, 11, 13-14, 20-21).
The account of the Magi chronologically falls a couple of years after the birth of Jesus; and as a result, some denominations will only preach about the Magi after Christmas, around the beginning of the New Year, in a season they call Epiphany. However, the word “Epiphany,” similar to the word “Advent,” means “arrival” or “appearing.”
The chief image of Epiphany is the star in the East whose light guided the Magi to find Jesus. But we also celebrate light during Advent, as we light a candle each week anticipating the arrival of Jesus Christ who is the light of the world (John 8:12). The prophecy about the Magi, in the book of Isaiah, is one that portrays an eager expectation, so I have no qualms in sharing it in connection with Advent. This week we’re going to learn from Isaiah’s prophecy why we must celebrate the appearing of the light of Christ; and also learn why we must look to that light for our existence.
Let’s begin by reviewing verses 1-2 of Isaiah’s prophecy: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”
In Matthew chapter 2, verse 2, the wise men inquired of King Herod, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:9-10 tells us of the Magi, “When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
Matthew tells us that a star arose and eventually moved to shine over the place where the young Christ child lived with His parents. Isaiah’s prophecy was shown to be fulfilled in Matthew. When Isaiah said, “Arise, shine,” perhaps it was in reference to the star arising and shining; the star which arose in response to an ever greater light; for His light has come – the light of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Isaiah 60, verse 2, tells us, “For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”
This verse tells us that Jesus Christ will shine forth the glory of the Lord in a world of darkness. So, what exactly is meant by the statement “darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people?” What darkness? Well, darkness is used as metaphor for evil. Darkness is seen as representing evil, whereas light is seen as representing good. So, what brought about this point of view?
Light is life to many creatures here on earth. Without light plants would not grow. Without light humans and animals would be blind and trip over things, and possibly walk off of the edge of a cliff. In total darkness a person can’t see what’s before his or her eyes. Also, if we didn’t have light we would be deficient in certain vitamins that are necessary for our bodies to function properly. These are only a few examples that have resulted in darkness being associated with evil.
The darkness, or evil, that Isaiah spoke of that covers the earth is “sin.” Go back just one chapter in Isaiah, to Isaiah 59:2, and he defines the darkness of sin. Isaiah says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Sin results in separation from God. All people are in darkness and living in separation from the Lord; for Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
We’re all spiritually lost until the light of God shines upon us. His light is found in the face of Jesus Christ, according to 2 Corinthians 4:6, which declares, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
When you drive down the highway during the day, and someone has his or her bright headlights on, it’s no big deal, but when night comes, you about run off the road! When you’re staring at a computer screen it might hurt your eyes after a few hours, but watch what happens when you turn out the lights. Your eyes start hurting pretty quickly! When you’re sitting in an auditorium watching a show and someone opens a door, watch where all the heads turn!
You see, while we’re sitting in the light, we don’t notice the intrusion of another light, but when we’re in the dark, any little bit of light catches our eyes. This is how Jesus is in a world of darkness. People can’t miss Him. They may choose to ignore His light, but they know He’s there. And He stands as a beacon that will guide us to the light of God the Father in the kingdom of heaven.
In Luke 1:78-79, Mary said of Jesus’ birth, “The Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Jesus is the Dayspring of the world. He is the light in the east over the horizon, as the first rays of morning break into the darkness of night.
In Luke 2:30-32, Simeon said of Jesus, “For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Jesus is a light prepared for all people. No one is turned away. If we do not draw towards the light, it’s simply because we love the darkness more, and have chosen to ignore Jesus.
Those of us who have received Jesus Christ are supposed to reflect His light unto others. We didn’t follow a star to church. We attend services because someone else spoke the Word of God to us and pointed us to Jesus. We’re at services because a friend or a co-worker, or a pastor spoke a word of Christ to us.
As the prophet Daniel said, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Dan 12:3). Each of you are stars, guiding others to the place where Christ is located. Philippians 2:15 says that we should be “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as [stars] in the world.”
“You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), Jesus said to His disciples and to each of us as a part of His Church; a city set high on a hill; a beacon beaming out into the streets and homes, reflecting the light of Christ, drawing all people to worship the one true God in the light of His Son.
We’re to be like a light house set on a hill, small yet bright, guiding people through the fog and the storm, shining into the darkness, guiding the nations to where Christ is located to save them. Therefore, “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Many people are on a quest for light, but they’re looking in all the wrong places. Some people will get into the New Age movement, and others will check out some other religion. Some will actually see the light of truth in Jesus, and yet turn their back to Him because they love the darkness more.
If you, or someone you know is searching for the light, then look no further. The authentic light and the genuine truth is found in the face of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus will give eternal life to anyone who acknowledges Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the light of the world that will guide us to eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
Those of us who’ve already found the light of Christ are called to shine forth His light unto others and help turn them to discover the source of our light, which is Jesus Christ. If Jesus is willing to call us the light of the world, and equate us with the light found in Him, then we need not let Him down. Amen? We need to live up to the standard of the high calling that we’ve received in Jesus. Let your light shine this week for someone to see:) I love you all.
.