By Bob Bunn
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-5, Isaiah 60:1-5, John 1:9
A few years ago, our neighborhood took a direct hit from a strong tornado. I always thought people who said a tornado sounded like a train were exaggerating. They weren’t.
This twister struck in the middle of the night and left an undeniable path of destruction in its wake. In a matter of moments, houses were transformed into piles of rubble. Thankfully, our home was spared from any damage, but the storm did knock out our power for nine days.
We thought about going to a hotel, but we figured out some work arounds that helped us make it through those powerless days. For example, we took showers at a local YMCA, and my wife would fix dinners in a slow cooker she would take to work. It wasn’t easy, but we got by.
Plus, some friends from church gave us the best gift during that time; they loaned us their gas-powered generator. While we were still limited as to what we could plug in, that generator allowed us to keep some lights on during a really dark season. It made a huge difference.
Finally, just as we were about to give in and call a hotel, the power came back on. After more than a week, we could find all the light we needed at the flip of a switch. The generator and the other temporary fixes were no longer necessary. We weren’t living in the dark anymore.
When the prophet Isaiah wrote about people living in darkness, he was talking about a lack of spiritual light. Rather than a nine-day blackout caused by a storm, this was a universal darkness created by humanity’s sin. The lights first went out when Adam and Eve ate the fruit in Eden. And the world continued to live in darkness with each passing generation.
In His grace, God offered a path for His people to look forward with a glimpse of light and a glimmer of hope. For centuries, He had promised a Redeemer. He also established a covenant and a sacrificial system with the nation of Israel to point them to the coming Light.
Then, in God’s perfect timing, the ultimate Light of the World “dawned on those living in the land of darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). When Jesus arrived, the switch flipped and everything changed. He perfectly fulfilled every messianic prophecy and promise that the people had been hearing for centuries. What they had been looking toward revealed the One who stands “faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).
As we mark this season of Advent, we put lights on our Christmas trees and kindle special candles in our church services. After all, those who have experienced the depth of darkness appreciate the presence of light. For those of us rescued from spiritual darkness, we celebrate the Savior who brought His light into our lives. For those still struggling in the dark, hope and healing can be yours in Christ, and Advent is a great time to embrace His light.
Written by Bob Bunn
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