Arise and shine! This is the promise that the long night of darkness has finally ended and the joyous rays of morning have arrived.
They are the words Israel needed to hear. Exiles are
returning to Jerusalem, and the passage reminds them that the wonderful
presence of God is about to change their darkness into light.
They are words everyone needs to hear. Everyone finds
themselves in dark situations and dark moments. The Bible says Jesus is the
Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. My friends, the Light of Jesus will
always dispel the darkness that engulfs this world.
The Light of God is glorious and we as Christians have to
reflect His light into the world. Some weeks ago we looked at the text in
matthew on letting our light shine before men so that they may glorify God. In
that message I told you how God revealed to me that we are not the light but
that we are just reflecting His light. The word was to the Israelites just as
to us today. Why should they shine the light? Because there is deep darkness.
I. THE SOURCE
OF DARKNESS - VS. 2
Have you ever been in a place where there’s no light
whatsoever? I shared with you how I used to get terrified with my younger
brother in the dark and no one is able to go close the windows.
Today the prophet Isaiah tell us about the darkness of
this sinful world. Without the light of God there is nothing you can do good in
your own understanding. If Jesus did not come there’s nothing we could do in
our own knowledge. Jesus is the light of the world and only in Him can darkness
disappear.
Illustration of
walking in the dark
Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable
consequences. Say moving without seeing where you are putting your feet in the
bush with harmful objects around and even snakes and scorpions. It will be
better to stay where you are until light comes than to make a step. How does it
look like to be dating in the dark? You see a man in the dark he is always Mr
handsome, a woman in the dark is always miss beautiful. You can be terribly shocked
during the day with whom you were dating in the dark.
That is how it looks when you make decisions based on the
worldly standards. Because everybody is doing something does not mean it is
right? You may just be making decisions in the dark just because you have not
sifted those actions through the word of Light.
II. THE SOURCE
OF THE LIGHT - VS. 1&2
But in his words, we have the words of God giving us
encouragement. As we live and work in this dark sinful world, we are not to be
overwhelmed by the darkness, because God sends his light into the world; a
light that shines out of the darkness and a light that shines out for all. The
kingdoms of Judah and Israel at the time of Isaiah were living in darkness. A
darkness that surrounded them spiritually and was darker than the deepest cave
you would ever tour on this earth.
There are many today who are living in darkness,
spiritually speaking. Friends, if you are living in darkness, understand what
the light does:
Ÿ
The light removes darkness
Ÿ
The Light reveals danger
Ÿ
The Light shows the path before us
In John. 8:12 Jesus says, " When Jesus spoke again to
the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will
never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (NIV)
III. THE FORCE
OF THE LIGHT - VS. 1&3
We are reflected light. Just as the sun is the source of
light and the moon reflects light from the sun to the earth, Jesus is our
source of light and we are to reflect that light to others.
1 PETER 2:9 tell us, “But you are not like that, for
you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own
possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called
you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (NLT)
EPHESIANS 5:8-9 emphatically states, “For you were once
darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (NKJV)
The New Living Translation says it this way: “For
though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from
the Lord, and your behavior should show it.”
This is why Jesus tells us to follow Him, and why we are
told to be holy, and why we are told to do His will and obey His commandments. We
are the Jesus that people will see. They will base their thoughts about
Jesus by how we conduct ourselves, or what kind of light we reflect. We
should reflect the glory and light of Jesus we love. Listen friends, the further that we get away from the source
of light, the dimmer our reflection will be.
Understanding that we are reflected light should help us understand why we need
to diligently work to stay near to Jesus.
Conclusion
Are you walking in darkness this morning or have you come
to the light of the Lord? Are you close to Jesus this morning or have you
slipped so far away that your reflection of Christ has grown dim? Notice in
verse 3 Isaiah is referring to the powerful influence the Israelites would have
on those around them. What level of influence do you currently have for Jesus?
Let me challenge you to Rise and Shine! By coming to
Christ, the darkness of sin and despair will be dispelled by His glorious
light.
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