Words of Grace

Rise and shine! These words are taken from an old prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Arise, shine, for the Light is come, and the and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1).

Jesus would come, according to the prophecy, at a very dark time in Israel’s history. Darkness would cover the earth, and would gross darkness would cover the people. (V2)

But at that time, Jesus the Savior would arise, and the glory of the Lord would be seen. This is what Luke wrote about in his gospel. Light would be given to those who sat in darkness, and who were living in the shadow of death. (1:79)

When Jesus came, he declared, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) Then he promised to those who followed him, that they would not walk in darkness. They would have him, the light of life, to follow.

Later, Jesus said that as long as he was in the world, he would be the light of the world. (9:5) He also said to his listeners: “While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.” (12:36

“The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin, the light of the world is Jesus. Come to the light, tis shining for thee.”