Luke 1: 67-79
Introduction
When we welcome a guest to our midst, we smile and say out
loudly “Welcome!” But in Chinese saying, it is “欢迎光临welcome the arrival
of the light”.
Why do we say “welcome the arrival of the light 欢迎光临?” Probably because, since ancient
times, people have yearned for light and rejected darkness. So unconsciously
they use the term “arrival of the light 光临” to express their joy at someone’s
presence.
In ancient times, people were indeed terrified by darkness because
there was no electricity yet, so no electric produced lights to chase away the
darkness after sun set. Nights were long and agonizing.
Interpretation
What does the Bible say about how things began when God
created heaven and earth?
Genesis 1:1–2 says: “In the beginning God created the heavens
and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep
waters, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.”
Written thousands of years ago in the Middle East, people of
that time deeply feared darkness and the great waters above the abyss — these
brought immense destructive power, causing people to lose direction and even
their lives.
But God’s Spirit hovered over the waters, calming the waters,
subduing them — meaning subduing the power of evil in that cultural background.
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the
light was good, and separated light from darkness.
By the way, darkness was not completely eliminated but separated
from light. So metaphorically speaking, evil or disasters still persist till
today in the whole human history.
At that time of creation, God had not yet made the sun, the
moon, or any of the light-bodies — where did the light come from? It was
because God’s presence brought light. God Himself is light; and Jesus is the
light of the world!
Today as we celebrate Christmas, we speak of Jesus’ birth as “God’s
light arrives” — He came into the world to illuminate its darkness, bringing
hope and salvation to us!
In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah once wrote:
“Nevertheless,
that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. In the past, the land
of Zebulun and Naphtali were humbled, but there will be a time in the future
when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the
Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light
will shine. 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. ” (Isaiah 9:1–3)
旧约圣经《以赛亚书》记载：『从前上帝使西布伦地和拿弗他利地被藐视，末后却使这沿海的路，约旦河东，外邦人居住的加利利地得荣耀。在黑暗中行走的百姓，看见了大光；住在死荫之地的人，有光照耀他们。神会使这国民众多，使他们喜乐大增；他们喜乐起来，好像收割时候的欢喜，又像人分战利品那样的快乐。』（赛9:1-3）
More than seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah
spoke this prophecy — at that time the people of Israel were oppressed and defeated
by the Assyrian army, and the nation was on the verge of destruction.
Why were God’s people being attacked?
Because they did not follow God’s path. They sinned and
turned away from God. Their society was filled with injustice — the rich
exploited the poor, violence and tyranny prevailed, the weak and vulnerable
were oppressed, orphans and widows suffered. Rulers and judges were corrupted. They
had violated the covenant with God in Sinai.
In the end, God judged Israel, allowing foreign enemies to
invade, their homes destroyed, lives and possessions lost.
From ancient times until today, whenever people abandon the
true God and reject the true Light, they live in the darkness of sin and death
— filled with suffering and despair, life gradually wasted away.
Look at our world today: how are our lives and how are our
societies faring? Are we living in light and happiness, or in dark misery?
We’ve seen some countries in just thirty years go from
prosperity into decline; though they still have laws and security, corruption
runs rampant; ordinary people face insecurity and oppression; human trafficking
and organ harvesting appear repeatedly; terrorists violently attack innocent
people; unjust systems widen the rich-poor gap, and powerful oppress the weak.
Society may seem much more “advanced,” but stress and
pressure on life have increased — inflation, intense competition and feeling unsecured
over future. As a result, young people resist marrying or having children; many
pursue an idle “lying flat” lifestyle as a silent protest. Besides, some
foresee looming great-power conflicts and fear that a third world war is close
at hand.
The Bible emphasizes that the root of all problems is sin —
the evil that binds humanity tightly: jealousy, arrogance, pride, greed,
selfishness, ruthless competition. Every person — whether a commoner, a
multi-millionaire, or a nation’s rulers — can be deeply trapped by these.
We are not able to save ourselves; all we can do is sink
deeper into hurt and self-destruction. What more to say, everyone of us is
living towards death, and succumb to the fear of what would follow after death?
Despite all these horrible scenarios of being, Bible tells us
that God is full of love and mercy — He wants to bring salvation. God raised up
salvation in ancient times for the Israelites, and He still brings salvation to
us today, because He is the God of redemption.
The prophet Isaiah made a promise: this land of Galilee will
one day receive honor and glory. That promise was fulfilled in history after
Israel was destroyed and later revived. But Isaiah’s prophecy had multiple
fulfilments — ultimately it was fulfilled in Jesus.
Seven hundred years later, New Testament author Luke cites
this prophecy — but included the emphasis of God’s mercy:
“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the rising sun will
come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow
of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78–79)
Luke points out: God, in His compassion for sinners, sent
Jesus to save those living in darkness. The ancient prophecy was fulfilled in
Jesus’ arrival.
After Jesus was born, He began His gospel ministry in Galilee
(Matthew 4:12–25). Jesus traveled around, preached, healed the sick, cast out
demons, forgave sins, helped people escape the power of sin; He taught truth
and led people to live in light.
Jesus not only healed and saved people in this life — He
willingly was nailed to the cross by sinners to bear the punishment for
sinners. He bore the sins of the world, and died the sinners’ deaths. He also rose
from the dead so that those who trust in Him may have sins forgiven, obtain
eternal life, and dwell in paradise with God.
Application
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) And
to His disciples He said: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
Jesus promises that those who follow Him will first receive
the “light of life”; secondly, they will become “light of the world.”
Jesus has been born into the world, and come into our lives
to meet us. His light shines upon our lives — how should we respond?
We should recognize that we have thus far lived in darkness,
with many ugly sins and weaknesses in our hearts. Now we want to accept Jesus
as our Savior, receive His light. Then Jesus will save us from darkness and
sin, bring us to God; as a result, we are able to turn away from sin, break
free from sin’s bondage.
If you have not yet accepted Jesus as the Savior of your life
— accept this light now! Even if you live surrounded by darkness, fearfully
lonely in the sea of people — Jesus can give you a meaningful, abundant life.
Secondly — for those who have already accepted Jesus’
salvation and decided to follow Him — Jesus will make us reflect His true light
before people. When others see that our life has changed after following Jesus,
they will know that Jesus is the true and living God; and they will desire to
accept His salvation and bring glory to the Father God.
For Christians, children of God, as we journey with Jesus each
day, we may still fall into temptation sometimes. However, Jesus is faithful to
save us to the end. He has sent the Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit will
shine light on us, empower us give the strength to repent and turn away from
sin. Therefore, children of God, come to the presence of God, seek the anointing
of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and live a glorious life.
Conclusion
The Lord Jesus came into the world, to save humanity from sin
— from darkness into light; from despair into true peace. Jesus is the light of
the world. Today let’s welcome Jesus, welcome the Light 欢迎光临！
The true light of Jesus Christ is here to illuminate our
lives, allowing us to live in brightness. And through us, the world may see
that light — so that those still living in darkness may see dawn and come into
the light.
