“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Isaiah 9:2a
There are intensities of darkness. A number of years ago I visited Ruby Falls, which is deep under ground in a cave. I was led through a series of caves illumined by hidden spotlights. I’ll never forget the last one we entered. It was the deepest in the whole series, the “farthest from the light,” as our guide phrased it. After he had the grouped us all together, he turned off every light in the cavern – and we where in the dark. Perhaps it was no darker than other places in the world, but I could not see my hand in front of my face—and I still remember the sensation of being in that total obscurity far beneath the surface of the earth!
In a different way, I have been in various levels of non-physical darkness at times in my life-my hopes destroyed, the future I had designed destroyed, little guidance for the next move. Has not each of us, however, similarly, experienced the darkness of life’s twist and turns?
Isaiah reminds us that “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light”. When Matthew echoes the words of the prophet he tells us that the light is Jesus, who by simply being with us has brought us our dawn.
At the time of my darkest gloom faced with fear and the isolation that deep darkness brings, God has recalled his word of promise to me that Jesus is with me giving me his light of life. I cherish those times of darkness where the presence of Jesus was my only light. They have persuaded me that anywhere I go, no matter how deep the darkness becomes, Jesus, is with me. Nothing can persuade me to the contrary. Light, by its very nature, dispels the gloom. Jesus, by His very nature disperses the confusion and death we encounter in darkness.
The Son of God comes with His presence in word and sacrament-guiding, correcting, admonishing, forgiving, and loving. He uses every means to lead us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Come, Bright and Morning Star; illumine our darkness and lead us from night to never-ending day. Amen
In His Peace, Pastor Schultz