Advent Day 3: "The People That Walked In Darkness Have Seen A Great Light"

Scriptural Truth: Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Hebrews 1:1-2a

Prophetic Promise: Isaiah 9:1-7

Prophecy's Fulfillment: Matthew 4:12-17

They were dark times indeed. The prophets had been silent for 400 years, and massive changes had taken place politically in the nation of Israel. The Jews had finally learned their lesson with the exile and tenaciously held to their belief in and worship of the one true God in the midst of a sea of paganism. Life was anything but stable during this period. It was a period of wars, intrigues, persecutions, and unrest.

In fact, in many ways times were just as dark as they had been during the days of the prophet Isaiah, when he told Israel, "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."

Light shining in the land of the shadow of death! What a promise! But where would the light come from? According to the Scripture it would come from a child.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Those who heard and understood the message would be greatly encouraged by this news. A Messiah was coming, and the prophecy said of Him:

You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

Sadly, many misunderstood these passages to believe that the Messiah was coming with an earthly kingdom to execute vengeance upon their enemies. Instead the Messiah would enlarge the nation of Israel by extending mercy to the Gentiles. He broke the yoke of their slavery to sin, and lifted the heavy burden of the law from their shoulders. He broke the rod (another sign of authority) of the enemy of mankind - the devil.

The fulfillment of this prophecy came in Jesus of Nazareth.

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He left Judea and returned to Galilee. He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Jesus testified of Himself, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Things haven't changed that much. We still live in a world of great darkness, but Jesus is still the light of the world. Perhaps you are wondering how Jesus could be the light of the world when He physically is no longer here. He has commissioned us to carry His light:

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
Matthew 6:14-16

Make this a season to let the light of Christ shine through you like never before!

UPDATE: I just realized that Hanukkah, the Jewish "festival of lights," begins tonight at sundown! What good timing!

Questions and thoughts to discuss with your family:

1) Have you ever been camping in a place where you weren't allowed to have a fire? What was that like? Have you ever been in the dark and afraid? How did you feel when a light was turned on?

2) What is a Gentile? What is a Jew? Why is it significant that God was bringing His light to the Gentiles?

3) What do the titles of the child in Isaiah 9:6 tell us about who Jesus is? Which of the titles is your favorite? Why?

4) What is zeal? What does it mean when the Scripture says that "the zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this?" Another way of saying it is "The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!" Why would God be so eager to make sure that this happens?

5) What are some of the things that have made this a dark time? Have you done anything to contribute to the darkness?

6) Jesus told the people to repent of their sins. What does repent mean?

7) What can you do today to shine the light of Jesus?