Light to Them

“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. "Luke 1:79

What a wonderful thing light is when all around is dark. And even more, when Light itself, Christ, is come into a dark world. Around this time of year, our mind, if we like it or not, changes focus. As a congregation, we come from remembering Christ's death, and begin afresh, to think of His life. Ecclesiastes 11 says, "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.” But pleasant to whom? “To those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.” How this joyful truth greets the child of God. If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, how would you long for the rays of morning light to show you where you were and if you might be rescued? Dear ones, where this true light shines, Jesus always rescues.

The longer we sit in darkness, the more we treasure light. Many despise all these descriptions as silly talk. But often, it is because their religion is a fire of their own kindling. But why exactly do they despise it? Likely, because they've never sat, as our text says, “in darkness and the shadow of death.” Their light matches their self-worth, a lamp of doctrine, a falling star of experience, a spark of knowledge, anything but Christ the “dayspring from on high, or the Sun of righteousness,” flooding their soul. Yet these man-made lights cannot help the Lord's people.

They must have Him.

They must have Christ.

They must have His blood sprinkle their consciences,

His grace in their minds,

and His Spirit in their hearts.

The revelation of His Person and work, the utterances of His love, the touch of His hand, the warmth of His presence. They must have Him for themselves. "Give me Jesus, else I die!” is their heart's cry. Therefore, they remember His advent and nativity, they remember His Passion and Resurrection. It's the only thing worth remembering at this time of year. The thought of Him entering our deep fall rejoices their heart and fills their mouth with song. It has become good tidings of great joy to them.

And what makes them so expressive in praise? Simply this, they were once in darkness and the shadow of death. If they were not, they'd be content to die as they were born, content with the darkness. But feeling their darkness makes them long for the beams of light. And when the Sun of Righteousness breaks upon their soul, they bless the beams, the rays, the fractals of the Gospel, because it comes from, and leads to Christ.