Light of the World

Isaiah 60:1–7 NRSV

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall be acceptable on my altar, and I will glorify my glorious house.

Introduction: Of all the figures at the Manger Scene the least relatable are the Magi. The equivalent in our day regarding position would be the Presidents Cabinet or Advisors. And they had access to some prestigious gifts that we don’t have access to. Most of us can relate to the Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, and Jesus himself, more than perhaps the Magi. Yet they have something valuable to teach us.

They come from a dark place - The Former Oppressors of the people of Israel, Babylon/Persia - Modern Day Iraq/Iran. - So Isaiah speaks of people in darkness...

9 - People Live in Darkness.

The Oppression Israel Felt after 70 + years in exile.

Talk about the cloudiness of MI and how people have mentioned more over the last month or so feeling less motivated. It is a reality that brings a certain level of reality, a heaviness. I feel that too from time to time.

Sin has a way of bringing oppression that sometimes we don’t even realize.

- Pastor Friend who went to the Doctor because he was struggling with depression and low energy. As the Dr. Examined him they determined his body was experiencing termendous chronic pain. He said, he didn’t feel the pain, which they said, you have a very high tolerence for pain. - This pain was draining his mood and energy.

Sin has a way of effecting us in ways we don’t even know. Producing Darkness that we may not even realize.

Whether that be our own sin that plunges us into self inflicted pain.

Or the Sin of others that hurt us, abuse us, create trauma in us.

But Israel and the Magi saw something - A Light, A Dawn of a new day.

10 - Jesus is the Light

In ancient times, cities had walls to protect them from darkness and danger. When a king would enter, he’d send forth a torchbearer. Picture this: as everyone gathers and the flame dances in the night, it symbolizes hope piercing through darkness. Isaiah 60 talks about the light arriving. Christ is our torchbearer, illuminating our paths and dispelling the shadows!

Friday in the afternoon it was sunny, and Immediately, I could feel my energy level increase. Cindy and I were driving home after our Date breakfast, and we commented on how beautiful it was.

The Magi -

Coming from the source of Darkness - Babylon/Persia

Pagan’s who were the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners of Babylon - We learn about this group from the Book of Daniel.

Trained by Daniel.

Daniel 2:48 LEB

Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

12 - Because of Daniel’s ability to see and interpret dream, but not by pagan sources, but by the one true God.

Daniel had a huge influence so that they knew Daniel’s visions so well and the O.T. that they passed it down from generation to generation, and they recognized the timing of the Messiah and the sign of the Messiah.

In the Bible, the star that led the Wise Men to Christ serves as a profound symbol. Just as the star illuminated the path before them, Isaiah 60 reminds us that our light should guide others to Jesus. The Wise Men didn’t just find a great king; they found their purpose in the Light of the world, and so can we when we reflect that same warmth to those around us!

Isaiah speaks of the Dawning of the Light. Jesus’ first coming was the beginning - But what is spoken of in this passage is the fullness of the light

Revelation 21 - has this same scene when Christ returns. - The Fullness of the promise of Israel.

10. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

This Promise is an invitation.

13 - People Come to the Light.

1. Friend who received Jesus and felt a warmth in his heart, he shared his testimony after I told him he looked different, he had a brightness to him.

Advent we talked about Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love - When we Come to Jesus the Light we receive all of these. There may still be darkness, but Jesus’ light pierces that Darkness with Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

I invite you to Come to the Light.

2. The Magi didn’t just come, nor will all the nations just come to him, but will Pay tribute to him - Make him your Lord.

The Magi are doing this when they bring Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Doing this is an acknowledgement that He is a Higher King. In the Ancient World the kings who were under another king brought tribute and in return the higher King brought protection, direction, and ideally justice for the lesser kings realm.

Jesus does not need our Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. These are symbols of Who Jesus is, but He invites to give ourselves to him, to be his disciples, his followers in return for protection, direction, and Salvation.

3. Israel is like a Lamp - They radiate His light - Revelation calls churches lampstands - We are called to bring Jesus’ light with us.

Imagine a world where kindness is contagious. One person decides to smile and say ‘hello’ in a busy grocery store, and suddenly, like a domino effect, others begin to do the same! Isaiah 60 tells us that when we shine our light, it doesn’t just brighten our lives; it invites others to join in. Who knows, that simple act of love could lead someone else to find and follow the true Light!

Conclusion:

We may not relate well to the Magi, but we can take their example.

Will you come to the light this Christmas?

Will you give yourself to the light this Christmas?

Will you be a lamp and shine your light to others this Christmas?