The medical profession believes that about 5% of people worldwide suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is a form of depression that occurs in fall and winter, especially in latitudes further away from the equator, when there is reduced daylight hours. Those with this condition generally start to improve in the spring, when longer daylight hours return. Right now, though, people in the Northern Hemisphere who have SAD are really feeling the effects with the shorter days and longer nights. Light is frequently important to one’s mood. On Tuesday of this week the Church celebrates Epiphany, the day the Church celebrates when the Magi came to worship the Christ Child, and when God brings us His light with the presence of Jesus Christ into the world. The Old Testament reading for this week of Epiphany comes from the prophet Isaiah, and speaks of God’s light coming into the world.
As our Scripture begins, the prophet Isaiah calls upon the people to rejoice, to arise and shine because the Light, the glory of the Lord, has come upon them (vs. 1). One of the many names that Jesus called Himself was “I am the Light of the world (John 8:12). The Magi who came to Jesus shortly after His birth were the first of the Gentiles to come to faith and worship Him. Later throughout His ministry there were other Gentiles, such as the centurion whose servant Jesus healed, the Syrophoenician woman with her daughter, and several Samaritans (who had a mix of Jewish and Gentile blood). The world is beginning to arise from centuries of spiritual darkness and blindness. On Epiphany we remember the opening of the door of faith for the Gentiles, when the Light of Jesus is spread to all people.
The world was in darkness back during the time of Isaiah. It was also in darkness at the time of Jesus’ birth, and it continues to remain in darkness to this day (vs. 2). As the prophet said, it was in “deep darkness”, which is also true today. However, while the world is in darkness, the Lord rises with His light upon all who come to faith in Him. When we enter a dark room, what is the first thing that we do? We turn on a light if we don’t want to stumble and trip in the darkness. If there is no light switch, or we are outside, we bring a flashlight. Spiritual darkness is no different. This world is in terrible spiritual darkness, and that is much worse than physical darkness. For though you may stub your toe, or even fall and break a bone, the danger of spiritual darkness is being lost for all eternity.
Isaiah told of God’s promise to send light, which He did in the Lord Jesus Christ. This light was not just for His chosen people, the Jewish nation, but was for all people, the Gentiles included, for people high and low (vs. 3). This found fulfillment when Paul and the other apostles spread out throughout the world bringing the message of salvation to all people. God will bring sons and daughters from all nations into His family (vs. 4).
As our Scripture continues, Isaiah spoke of costly gifts being brought to the Savior (vs. 5-6, 9). Though He grew up in a humble household, and not in affluence, and depended upon the love and charity of others throughout His ministry, when the Magi came to the baby Jesus, they brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We don’t know how many Magi came, nor how many servants they may have brought with them, but there were undoubtedly plenty of camels, laden with the wealth of whatever countries they came from. When Jesus returns at His Second Coming, and sets up His Millennial Kingdom, all the nations will come and bow before Him at that time, and the wealth of all nations will be His, as well.
As we close, we see that Jesus is the only true Light. We are not a light in ourselves, however we are called to reflect His Light to others in the world. The world is growing darker with each passing year, but God’s truth and Light shine brighter, especially as we follow Him and reflect His light.
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