June 28, 2001

A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES

"I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6, NKJV).

It was the Feast of Tabernacles, and Jesus stood in the court of the women at the temple (see John 8:20). To celebrate the feast, brilliantly lighted candelabra were burning in memory of the pillar of cloud by day and the fire by night. Looking at the spectacle of lights, Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world" (verse 12, NKJV).

In today's portrait, Isaiah describes Christ as "a light to the Gentiles" that would bring "salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6, NKJV). This is good news for the Gentiles who were once aliens to God's commonwealth, without God and without hope in the world (see Ephesians 2:12). No wonder the Gentiles were so jubilant about the gospel. "Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord" (Acts 13:48, NKJV). This title gives a world view to the mission of the Messiah. Not only did He come to restore Israel, but to bring eternal salvation to all--Jews and Gentiles alike.

As the light to the Gentiles, Jesus became the originator and initiator of the church's global mission. The great commission is proof of this fact (see Matthew 28:29). He is the divine Revelator, revealing to all the way to salvation. He came to earth to turn men and women from darkness to light (see Acts 26:18); to deliver us from the power of darkness (see Colossians 1:13), and to bring all who believe and receive this light into the everlasting kingdom of light. "Christ came to our world to manifest God to men... He is the true Teacher sent from God. He was the One chosen to reveal God's character to the world. He is the Bright and Morning Star. He is the Sun of Righteousness, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel."--Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, p. 268.

My Prayer Today: Lord, dispel the darkness of sin from my life through Him who is my light and salvation. Amen.