Let in the Light - Light breaking into darkness
Isaiah 9:1-7 John 8:12
Focus: Isaiah’s prophecy wasn’t just about eternity. It was about Jesus’ light shining on earth NOW as it is in heaven.
I. Isaiah & Jesus
As we read today’s lesson, I could almost hear music! (organist plays “For unto us a child is born…”) These words have a way of transporting us…and suddenly it’s Christmas! Even without the music of Handel’s Messiah …Isaiah’s words push us forward. Many early Church Fathers called Isaiah, the 5th Gospel, because he pointed so powerfully to Jesus! I think it’s hard for Christians, like you and me, to read Isaiah 9 and not think of Jesus.
II. Darkness and Light
Isaiah writes a magnificent poem, that begins: ”The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…” Originally, this was a word of hope for Israel under siege by another country, Assyria.
The image of light shining into darkness, throughout the Bible, almost always points to the presence of God – God’s glory shining, God’s Truth shedding light, God’s love, or God restoring hope.
Isaiah starts with light, showing God coming to save the Israelites who have been beaten down, and are suffering in darkness. Isaiah poetically presents a human leader, who will be chosen by God and will have all the best qualities any person in authority could have:
· Wisdom (“Wonderful Counselor”)
· Incredible Strength (called “Mighty God”)
· Concern for the poor (He will establish justice and uphold it)
· Facilitator of relationships (He will establish righteousness)
The poetry for ancient Israel is awe-inspiring. For you and me, Handel’s Messiah gets the same reaction, it lifts us to new heights to imagine relationships restored, new possibilities for good things in this world and the next. And, most of all I feel like this music presents an image of God Almighty who is trustworthy and present for you and me!
It inspires my faith in the one we know fulfilled this poetic prophesy, Jesus! Jesus himself 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
When I’m listening to, “Wonderful! Counselor! Almighty God!...” I’m all over it...lead on Jesus, I’m with you and you are here with us!
But what does that look like? Jesus present with you, with me, with the whole world…? This is when I wish I could invite everyone to stand up and share how Jesus has been a light in your darkness. You, dear people, have a testimony to share.
Of course, I won’t ask you to do that now, but please think about what you would say.
Wonderful Counsellor: In Jesus, we see God healing, forgiving, embracing outcasts. Like the woman caught in adultery, who Jesus saved from being stoned to death, and then turned to her, forgave her…gave her a 2nd chance, saying, “Go, and sin no more.”
That is the same love for every one of you, people of God. No matter what your sin, God’s deepest desire is to forgive you, and give you another chance, as God says, “Go and sin no more, and God will give you Wonderful Counsel to guide you.
The Wonderful Counsellor prophesied by Isaiah, doesn’t want to condemn you for the things you do wrong. This counsellor is light shining in the darkness.
So often, when someone does something wrong…we know in our heart it’s not right. That is what I call conviction. It’s God’s presence with you…prodding you to listen and NOT do that thing.
You and I have a Wonderful Counsellor! You have the privilege to pray to that Counselor any time, day or night, “help me”! That is a for the light of conviction, to lead us into what’s right.
The Wonderful Counselor is here for you today. Don’t be afraid to pray today. The Lord loves you, forgives you, and delights in giving you guidance.
Do you remember, in the Bible, a man named Zaccheus. He was listening to Jesus, and had a conviction that he should STOP cheating the poor. Listening to the Wonderful Counsellor had that effect on Zaccheus! He knew how to do business differently and benefit the whole community. The Wonderful Counsellor revealed to Zaccheus that justice and compassion for the poor are the will of God. Zaccheus was able, with good counsel, to do more good than he had ever imagined.
Where is the Wonderful Counsellor leading you today?
Has God convicted you of something that you need to stop doing? Have you ever felt like Zaccheus or the woman caught in adultery did…like you have a new chance to do what’s right? The Wonderful Counsellor isn’t interested in the ”gotch-ya” moment, He is interested in forgiving you and freeing you. Jesus wants what is best for you, and He works on your heart to make that known. He may even speak through people around you.
Maybe your story of light breaking into your darkness is happening right now. Jesus loves and forgives you unconditionally, and the Wonderful Counsellor is calling you to freedom from whatever enslaves you. I invite you to pray to Jesus this morning and let Him counsel you. Seek the Lord, the Wonderful Counsellor, and you will find Him.
The Prince of Peace: Perhaps the darkness you have today is your grief or depression. Are you grieving a loss today of one you loved (and still love!), or maybe it’s the loss of a job for you or someone close to you.
Peace is complicated – yet the presence of God, like a ray of light in the darkness, cuts through the complexities, and God promises a peace that passes understanding.
Whether it is a personal peace, like I saw with my own father. I remember the peace he had as he walked through his final days with cancer. He found peace in the arms and promises of Jesus – a peace that passes all understanding.
Or peace through the power of forgiveness that Jesus empowers. Do you remember, about ten years ago, there was a Bible study happening at a Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. A young man, filled with hate for black people and believing in the supremacy of white people – he entered that Bible study and started shooting. Nine people were killed and another injured. This was a horrible crime and calls for justice rang out around the world. Yet, there were some family members of the survivors who found an incredible power from Jesus…to speak into this terror with a transformative love and forgiveness. When the murderer was caught and brought to trial the daughter of one of the women killed, spoke in court directly to the man who shot her mom. Nadine Collier said to him through her tears,
"I just want everybody to know...to you I forgive you. You took something very precious away from me. I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you and have mercy on your soul."
The pastor of that church was among those killed. And his granddaughter also spoke to the killer.
Although my grandfather and the other victims died at the hands of hate, this is proof - everyone's plea for your soul - is proof that they - they - lived in love, and their legacies will live in love, so hate won't win. And I just want to thank the courts for making sure that hate doesn't win."
The Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counsellor is here today to love and empower you for life that is abundant, and a life that participates in transforming the darkness of others all around you.
Only in the resurrection will the kind of peace and permanent stability described in Isaiah’s poem be completely fulfilled. But, God grants you and me wisdom today, and empowers us to pursue peace and justice as goals for this life.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Listen today to the Wonderful Counsellor…trust today that your biggest conflicts are resolvable in the hands of the Prince of Peace. And may all people see the great light of Christ through you today, people of God. Amen.
Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good, we thank you for all you have given us. We offer these pledges to you, not as a leftover, but as a first fruit of your blessings. Use them to your glory and to build up your kingdom. Guide us to be faithful stewards of all that you have given us. Amen
Pastor Doug Cox