Arise, Shine

Isaiah 60:1-3 “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.”
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Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”… 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
 
WE shift briefly from Luke to see how Matthew also affirms Isaiah’s Messiah prophecies. This is a clear image of light, isn’t it? The star viewed in the eastern regions of the Middle East pointed to a light that had come over Judea. Why was this special? After all, one could say there are many bright “stars” at different times in the heavens.
   However, isn’t it possible to understand God created a special light to literally fulfill Isaiah’s words? After all, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3). Surely, with a word he could have placed a bright light in the Judean sky to urge the world to the King. Or perhaps at the dawn of creation he formed a bright star to be in place at his appointed time. Yes, Glory be to God. The Bethlehem Star is a physical revelation of God’s plan to save the world. One day Jesus would personify the light as he declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Both the star in the sky and the Lord on the earth proclaimed it is time for mankind to rise – to stand – and to seek the Lord’s glory that rises upon you. In response, people of all nations are coming to see the Christ, the supernatural Light, who overcomes and dismisses sin’s darkness. Throughout the globe and across generations, God declares his salvation plan is being fulfilled: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).  
   This is God’s gracious, loving blessing of salvation come to mankind. With joy the Magi discovered and worshiped the Christ; I pray you are as they. Seek Jesus. Worship the him. Be his light.  
 
Prayer: Holy Father, you set before us the Light of the World. May we daily worship him with joy and thanksgiving. Amen.