The real light

What would the glittering lights of Christmas be without illumination? Christmas markets are most atmospheric in the evening, when the many lights spread a romantic Christmas mood. With so many lights, it's easy to overlook the true light that shone at the first Christmas. "In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." (Joh 1,4).

In the days when Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago, a devout old man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. One day, the Spirit led Simeon to the Temple courtyards, on the very day that Jesus' parents brought the child in to fulfill the requirements of the Torah. When Simeon saw the child, he took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, "Lord, now you are releasing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, the salvation you have prepared in the presence of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." (Lukas 2,29-32).

Light for the heathen

Simeon praised God for what the scribes, Pharisees, high priests, and teachers of the law could not comprehend. The Messiah of Israel had come not only for the salvation of Israel, but also for the salvation of all the nations of the world. Isaiah had prophesied it long before: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I have created you and appointed you as a covenant for the people and as a light to the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring captives out of prison and those sitting in darkness out of the dungeon.” (Jesaja 42,6-7).

Jesus: The new Israel

The Israelites are God's chosen people. God called them out from among the nations and set them apart as his own special people through a covenant. He did this not only for them, but for the ultimate salvation of all nations. "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the dispersed of Israel, but I have also made you a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Jesaja 49,6).

Israel was meant to be a light to the Gentiles, but their light had gone out. They had failed to keep the covenant. But God remains faithful to his covenant, regardless of the unbelief of his covenant people. “What then? If some have been unfaithful, does their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? By no means! Rather, God is true, and all people are liars. As it is written: ‘So that you may be right in your words and prevail in your legal arguments.’” (Röm 3,3-4).

Thus, in the fullness of time, God sent his own Son to be the light of the world. He was the perfect Israelite, who perfectly kept the covenant as the new Israel. “Therefore, just as through the sin of the one man condemnation came to all people, so also through the righteousness of the one man justification came to all people, leading to life.” (Röm 5,18).

As the prophesied Messiah, the perfect representative of the covenant people and the true light to the Gentiles, Jesus freed both Israel and the nations from sin and reconciled them to God. Through faith in Jesus Christ, by remaining faithful to him and identifying with him, you become a member of the faithful covenant community, the people of God. “For there is one God who justifies Jews by faith and Gentiles through faith.” (Römer 3,30).

Righteousness in christ

We cannot derive righteousness from ourselves alone. Only in the way we are identified with Christ, the Redeemer, are we considered righteous. We are sinners, no more righteous in ourselves than Israel was. Only when we recognize our sinfulness and place our faith in the One through whom God justifies the wicked can we be considered righteous for His sake. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Röm 3,23-24).

Everyone needs God's grace just as much as the people of Israel. All who have faith in Christ, Gentiles and Jews alike, will be saved only because God is faithful and good, not because we have been faithful or because we have found some secret formula or the right doctrine. "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son." (Kol 1,13).

Trust in Jesus

As simple as it sounds, it's hard to trust Jesus. To trust in Jesus means to put my life in Jesus' hands. Giving up control of my life. We would like to be in control of our own lives. We like to be in control of making our own decisions and doing things our own way.

God has a long-term plan for our deliverance and security, but also a short-term plan. We cannot receive the fruits of his plans unless we are firm in our faith. Some heads of state are firmly committed to military power. Other people hold on to their financial security, personal integrity, or personal reputation. Some are steadfast in their ability or strength, ingenuity, business conduct, or intelligence. None of these things are inherently bad or sinful. As human beings, we are inclined to put our trust, energy, and dedication in them, rather than the very source of security and peace.

Go humbly

When we entrust our problems, along with the positive measures we take to deal with them, to God and trust in his care, provision, and deliverance, he promises to be with us. James wrote: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (Jak 4,10).

God calls us to put aside our lifelong crusade, defend ourselves, nurture ourselves, preserve our possessions, protect our reputations, and extend our lives. God is our provider, our defender, our hope and our destiny.

The illusion that we can control our own lives must be exposed to the light, the light of Jesus: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Joh 8,12).

Then we can rise again in him and be what we truly are: God's own precious children, whom he saves and helps, whose battles he fights, whose fears he soothes, whose pain he shares, whose future he secures, and whose reputation he preserves. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1. Joh 1,7). 

When we surrender everything, we gain everything. When we kneel, we rise. By relinquishing our illusion of personal control, we are clothed with all the glory, splendor, and riches of the heavenly, eternal kingdom. Peter writes, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1. Petr 5,7).

What are you bothering about? Your hidden sins? An unbearable pain? An insurmountable financial disaster? A devastating disease? An unimaginable loss? An impossible situation in which you are completely helpless to do something? A disastrous and painful relationship? False allegations that are not true? God sent his Son and through his Son he takes our hands and lifts us up and brings the light of His glory into the dark and painful crisis we are going through. Although we are walking through the Valley of the Shadows of Death, we are not afraid for He is with us.

God has given us the sign that our salvation is assured: “And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” (Lk 2,10-11).

Everywhere you look this time of year, there is decorative lighting: white lights, colored lights, or lit candles. These physical lights, their faint glow, can bring you a great deal of joy for a short time. But the true light, the one that promises you salvation and illuminates you from within, is Jesus, the Messiah, who came to this earth and comes to you personally today through the Holy Spirit. “This was the true light that gives light to everyone who comes into the world.” (Joh 1,9).

by Mike Feazell