The Light Has Come

 

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.