Isaiah 60:1-6. Light is shining in darkness!! 9/1/11
{1) "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 arm. {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.
These verses have, I believe, great significance for us all today. Here we have a very apt description of the scene of life for our western world at this time. Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over peoples. This one sentence adequately describes the situation of life for so many who are living in our a world that promises them so much, but has left them hurting, alone and without meaning and hope.
We as a world have lost our way as we continue to grope around in our own self-importance and self-gratification. We don't have any real and lasting sense of direction and purpose, except to follow these promises of our world, even though we can see the impact that it is having on so many lives. Yes, on the surface, we are full of confidence and bravado; but for so many, it belies what is inside. We are a world and a nation of hurting, lonely and depressed people.
As we look closely at what is going on around us, we see that we are continually ‘shooting ourselves in the foot’ as we try to fix our problems and hurts with a few more dollars and a lot more technology. Think about it, we believe that divorce is the answer to our marriage difficulties, but end up ruining the lives of our children, as well as leaving ourselves more lonely and hurt than before. Abortion is seen as an easy solution to an unwanted pregnancy that is the result of chasing after a few fleeting moments of pleasure. But then the woman sadly suffers untold psychological problems for the rest of their life. Here again I could go on with one example after another.
The point being, that time and time again, in an attempt to solve our problems, we fail; and in turn create even further difficulties for ourselves. We do so, because we have forgotten; - one - that it is people and relationships that matter more than anything else. Secondly - but most importantly, we have left God out of our lives, or relegated him to only a very small part of our lives. We have forgotten or failed to heed what God has to say about life and how we are to live and treat each other and our world. We have thought of ourselves and our achievements and thinking, too highly so that we fail to regularly turn back to God for forgiveness and help. That is why we find that more and more we are finding life to be dark and gloomy. We are groping around in the dark for our answers, and making things even worse for ourselves.
Sadly, in our world today there are far too many who, though they have started out as Christians, now think that they have outgrown their need for God. Yet it is interesting that now they seek their help and answers in all sorts of weird places; horoscopes, clairvoyancy and tarot cards are all the rage; eastern meditation and devil worship is on the increase; new age positive thinking has crept in everywhere, even in the church. And again, I could go on. More and more we are winding ourselves down and down into moral and spiritual decadence, depressive loneliness and hopelessness. We have lost our way. Thick darkness is over the peoples.
However, thankfully, that is not the full story - there is hope. The Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Through the doom and gloom of existence, there is a piercing light shining into this self-same world. In the midst of all of this darkness in life, we are given a whole new perspective that does change things, if only we would allow it. Because of Christmas there is a bright star hovering over us, lighting up our way and giving new hope for the future, if only we would take notice of it.
In Jesus Christ and his death on the cross there is now one who gives meaning, hope and direction to all of life. We now know that we are loved - that someone does care. We are valuable in the sight of God, no matter who are and how miserable our existence might be. The failures, sickness and death of this world is not the end; broken relationships can be mended - forgiveness is possible. No matter how troubled or difficult our life is, God is prepared to stick by us through it all. Above all, eternal life with God, is there for us now, because of Jesus’ death on the cross. So we can now live at peace with God and have the best of everything in heaven. In and with the Lord Jesus, this is all possible. And it is this that is the light that now shines over us.
However this light not only gives us a new way to look and think with regard to our relationship with the Almighty God, but it also now illuminates a different way of approaching life here and now. Jesus has also showed us the way to live with God, others and ourselves. He has given us answers to such things as divorce, abortion, the environment and many other things. He has shown us that it is possible to think and act in a way that is not centred on self, first, last and only. It is possible to love and be considerate of others. We can forgive one another, because God has forgiven us.
As a result of the coming of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that he has won for us, we can now have a better idea on the importance of money, pleasure and material things. We are able to see that they are not as important as a good relationships with God and our fellow human beings. We can approach life in a whole new way because Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. There is a brightness there now for us in the midst of the darkness of this world.
So there is no need for us here to go about being gloomy. Yes, we can and must realistically look at life and recognise the problems that are around us, and name them. But we can at the same time go forward with hope and certainty through the difficulties of a sinful world. However, we don't need to follow the crowd, groping around in the darkness. We have every reason to be positive and confident about life, death and salvation. Christ has illuminated life for us, revealing all that is necessary for us to get through the turmoil of this life and to gain eternal life with our gracious God.
But here again we are realistic enough to know that we do not have everything within ourselves to help us, but that we need our Lord’s help all along the way. We also know that, even as Christians, not all of our difficulties and hardships will be taken away from us, or that we will not avoid facing death; but together with Jesus Christ we are given what is needed in order for us to get through it all. It is only as we acknowledge the presence and help of the Lord Jesus that our way is lit and the darkness is dispelled.
Then having this awareness of the Light, we are called to arise, shine, for our light has come - the glory of the Lord is shining over us. The call is for us as people who are Christians to now reflect the glory of Christ to those around us. It is through our witness that others will come to see the light of Christ and perhaps find meaning and hope for their own life; that they too may find the answer to everything - Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
If we are going to do anything to help our nation and our world through these troubled times, then we need to first have a closer relationship with God ourselves. For us the light increases as we spend time in personal devotion and our Divine Service, worship times. The more we allow Christ to have the focal point in our lives, the more he will be reflected out to those around us. And it is through that witness alone that our world has any hope of improvement. We are to reflect that light of Christ - to let his light shine, to those around us.
That really is the central message of our text; to let The Light shine. Not that we are to be the light - nor to ignore it - or to keep it to ourselves; but we need recognise that the light of the glory of Christ has risen over our lives and our world. He has done so much for us. It is He who has enlightened life for us. So let us not go back to groping around in the darkness. Christ has made so much difference. There is now meaning and purpose to life; there is peace, joy and hope for us all. There is light in the midst of the darkness, so let us all enjoy and reflect this for our own benefit and for the good of our world; But above all to the glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
{1) "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 arm. {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.
These verses have, I believe, great significance for us all today. Here we have a very apt description of the scene of life for our western world at this time. Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over peoples. This one sentence adequately describes the situation of life for so many who are living in our a world that promises them so much, but has left them hurting, alone and without meaning and hope.
We as a world have lost our way as we continue to grope around in our own self-importance and self-gratification. We don't have any real and lasting sense of direction and purpose, except to follow these promises of our world, even though we can see the impact that it is having on so many lives. Yes, on the surface, we are full of confidence and bravado; but for so many, it belies what is inside. We are a world and a nation of hurting, lonely and depressed people.
As we look closely at what is going on around us, we see that we are continually ‘shooting ourselves in the foot’ as we try to fix our problems and hurts with a few more dollars and a lot more technology. Think about it, we believe that divorce is the answer to our marriage difficulties, but end up ruining the lives of our children, as well as leaving ourselves more lonely and hurt than before. Abortion is seen as an easy solution to an unwanted pregnancy that is the result of chasing after a few fleeting moments of pleasure. But then the woman sadly suffers untold psychological problems for the rest of their life. Here again I could go on with one example after another.
The point being, that time and time again, in an attempt to solve our problems, we fail; and in turn create even further difficulties for ourselves. We do so, because we have forgotten; - one - that it is people and relationships that matter more than anything else. Secondly - but most importantly, we have left God out of our lives, or relegated him to only a very small part of our lives. We have forgotten or failed to heed what God has to say about life and how we are to live and treat each other and our world. We have thought of ourselves and our achievements and thinking, too highly so that we fail to regularly turn back to God for forgiveness and help. That is why we find that more and more we are finding life to be dark and gloomy. We are groping around in the dark for our answers, and making things even worse for ourselves.
Sadly, in our world today there are far too many who, though they have started out as Christians, now think that they have outgrown their need for God. Yet it is interesting that now they seek their help and answers in all sorts of weird places; horoscopes, clairvoyancy and tarot cards are all the rage; eastern meditation and devil worship is on the increase; new age positive thinking has crept in everywhere, even in the church. And again, I could go on. More and more we are winding ourselves down and down into moral and spiritual decadence, depressive loneliness and hopelessness. We have lost our way. Thick darkness is over the peoples.
However, thankfully, that is not the full story - there is hope. The Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Through the doom and gloom of existence, there is a piercing light shining into this self-same world. In the midst of all of this darkness in life, we are given a whole new perspective that does change things, if only we would allow it. Because of Christmas there is a bright star hovering over us, lighting up our way and giving new hope for the future, if only we would take notice of it.
In Jesus Christ and his death on the cross there is now one who gives meaning, hope and direction to all of life. We now know that we are loved - that someone does care. We are valuable in the sight of God, no matter who are and how miserable our existence might be. The failures, sickness and death of this world is not the end; broken relationships can be mended - forgiveness is possible. No matter how troubled or difficult our life is, God is prepared to stick by us through it all. Above all, eternal life with God, is there for us now, because of Jesus’ death on the cross. So we can now live at peace with God and have the best of everything in heaven. In and with the Lord Jesus, this is all possible. And it is this that is the light that now shines over us.
However this light not only gives us a new way to look and think with regard to our relationship with the Almighty God, but it also now illuminates a different way of approaching life here and now. Jesus has also showed us the way to live with God, others and ourselves. He has given us answers to such things as divorce, abortion, the environment and many other things. He has shown us that it is possible to think and act in a way that is not centred on self, first, last and only. It is possible to love and be considerate of others. We can forgive one another, because God has forgiven us.
As a result of the coming of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that he has won for us, we can now have a better idea on the importance of money, pleasure and material things. We are able to see that they are not as important as a good relationships with God and our fellow human beings. We can approach life in a whole new way because Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. There is a brightness there now for us in the midst of the darkness of this world.
So there is no need for us here to go about being gloomy. Yes, we can and must realistically look at life and recognise the problems that are around us, and name them. But we can at the same time go forward with hope and certainty through the difficulties of a sinful world. However, we don't need to follow the crowd, groping around in the darkness. We have every reason to be positive and confident about life, death and salvation. Christ has illuminated life for us, revealing all that is necessary for us to get through the turmoil of this life and to gain eternal life with our gracious God.
But here again we are realistic enough to know that we do not have everything within ourselves to help us, but that we need our Lord’s help all along the way. We also know that, even as Christians, not all of our difficulties and hardships will be taken away from us, or that we will not avoid facing death; but together with Jesus Christ we are given what is needed in order for us to get through it all. It is only as we acknowledge the presence and help of the Lord Jesus that our way is lit and the darkness is dispelled.
Then having this awareness of the Light, we are called to arise, shine, for our light has come - the glory of the Lord is shining over us. The call is for us as people who are Christians to now reflect the glory of Christ to those around us. It is through our witness that others will come to see the light of Christ and perhaps find meaning and hope for their own life; that they too may find the answer to everything - Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
If we are going to do anything to help our nation and our world through these troubled times, then we need to first have a closer relationship with God ourselves. For us the light increases as we spend time in personal devotion and our Divine Service, worship times. The more we allow Christ to have the focal point in our lives, the more he will be reflected out to those around us. And it is through that witness alone that our world has any hope of improvement. We are to reflect that light of Christ - to let his light shine, to those around us.
That really is the central message of our text; to let The Light shine. Not that we are to be the light - nor to ignore it - or to keep it to ourselves; but we need recognise that the light of the glory of Christ has risen over our lives and our world. He has done so much for us. It is He who has enlightened life for us. So let us not go back to groping around in the darkness. Christ has made so much difference. There is now meaning and purpose to life; there is peace, joy and hope for us all. There is light in the midst of the darkness, so let us all enjoy and reflect this for our own benefit and for the good of our world; But above all to the glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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