January 6, 2010

• Epiphany: we are made a light to bring salvation to the ends of the earth

  (January 6 in the liturgical calendar is the Feast of Epiphany.)

  The prophet Isaiah, inspired by the Spirit of God, wrote of God's Servant Jesus Christ  seven hundred years before the Incarnation. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be a light for the nations, i.e.-that God's gift of salvation would extend beyond the Jewish nation to all nations of the earth.

  Isaiah 49:6 He [the LORD] says:
  It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
  to raise up the tribes of Jacob
  and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
  I will make you as a light for the nations,
  that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
  
  Indeed He says,
  'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
  To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
  And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
  I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
  That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'
  

  In fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesies (see also Isaiah 9), Christ Himself came into the world as the light of the world and a light for the nations.

  John 8:12. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

  Matthew 4:12 Now when he [Jesus] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.
  13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
  

  15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
  the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
  16 the people dwelling in darkness
  have seen a great light,
  and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
  on them a light has dawned.
  

  
  

  

  
  Years later the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah's words from Isaiah 49 – but please notice the difference:

  Acts 13:47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
  "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
  

  Indeed Christ has come to be the light of the world and the light for the nations, yet...

  we are to be a light to all nations, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

  How are we to be a light to all nations? We are commissioned by Christ and empowered by His Holy Spirit to take the message of Jesus Christ, the true Light, to the ends of the earth in word and deed.

  Notice that this is not a suggestion, it's a command...

  We're to be a light similar to John the Baptist and the apostle Paul...

  He was a burning and shining lamp...John 5:35a.

  
  

  But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:16-18.

  The Lord Jesus Christ tells us...

  You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven... Matthew 5:14-16.
  

  And the apostle Paul reminds us of our calling...

  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life... Philippians 2:15-16.
  
  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:3-6.

  When was the last time you gave God thanks and praise for His grace
  which opened your eyes to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ?

  What are you doing with that light?
  
  Are you putting your lamp on a stand or under a bushel?
  
  What keeps you from shining as a light in the world?

  Are you ashamed of Jesus Christ and His Gospel?

  What is your attitude toward Christ's commission to be a light for all nations?

  Do you really care about those who are walking in darkness?

  
  
  May our God give us grace to examine ourselves.

  ---

  Related posts:

  • Turn off your lights?
  • Feast of Epiphany/Bible Reading-II Corinthians: manifesting Christ to the world
  • Bible Reading: Things To Look for in a Church: What We Find in Solomon's Temple, #7: Missionary Zeal
  • Postcards from England: do you care?
  • We are the salt of the earth; sprinkle us out in the world.
  • God reveals Himself to some but not to all, yet we are sent to proclaim Christ to all
  • the commission is given to all
  • do the work of a WHAT? eee - van - gel - ist! eeek!
  • God uses men with "no outstanding abilities"
  • Bible Reading-Mark 4: (6) Kingdom-Obsessed People persevere in scattering seed
  • Letter 6 on assurance and fighting for joy (and the Gospel and revival)
  • using my talent (Bible reading - Matthew 25)

  • 8:35 AM
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