December 1, 2004

THE GREAT LIGHT

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Matthew 4:16, NIV).

The metaphor of light is repeatedly employed in the Scriptures to represent Jesus Christ. As the "Great Light," He is the focus of the everlasting gospel. He gives light and life since He is the original source of both. Ever since the entrance of sin, the human race has lived in the suffocating darkness of sin and the somber "shadow of death." But in the fullness of time, Jesus, the "Great Light," came to dispel the darkness and liberate the human race.

Since the blazing angelic light that announced the nativity, the world has been illuminated by the life-giving light of the "Great Light." Those who once lived under the tyrannical rule of the prince of darkness can now rejoice in the transforming light of Jesus. Light has always been the symbol of the divine presence (see Genesis 1:3). When Jesus came on His mission of redemption, He boldly proclaimed Himself to be the light of the world (See John 8:12; 9:5). This is essentially the message of the Christian gospel, that the "Great Light" has come and that those who accept the light and walk in it have life eternal.

As lesser lights, we must follow the "Great Light." "Jesus is the great light which lights up every man that comes into the world. All heaven is interested in the conflict that is going on in this world between truth and error, light and darkness. The great Source of all light is constantly shining, and those who will catch His rays, and will reflect them upon others, will be light-bearers in this darkened world."--Australasian Union Conference Record, May 6, 1907.

My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to walk in the saving light of the "Great Light" through this world of spiritual darkness. Amen.