Isaiah 60:1-22
Monday, 25 July 2022
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” -Isaiah 60:1
Here in this chapter is a beautiful description of the ‘golden age’ under the reign of the Messiah. Israel as a nation, though had walked in darkness will receive God’s light as His glory will rise upon it. Nations will be drawn to its light and brought to God.
When God chose Israel as His special people, He wanted them to be His witness to the nations— “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10) But they had failed miserably. This promise then could only be fulfilled through the Messiah who would bring God’s glory to His people. Hebrews 1: 3 says that Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being. He came into the world to give life which is the light of mankind (John 1:4). It was in Christ that God’s glory was revealed. 2 Cor.4:6 [NLT] reminds us: ‘For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.’
Though the prophecy was given through Isaiah to God’s people centuries before, it holds relevance for all who has come or will come to the light of Christ. For Jesus declared: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12). Every believer who has accepted Christ into his/her life as Saviour and Lord has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Son (Col.1:13). The light of Christ has shone in our hearts to give us the knowledge of God through Christ. And in turn we are called to Arise and shine!
The prophecy in Isaiah 49:6: “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”—holds good for all believers whom Christ, the Light of the world has in turn called them to be light in this world (Matt.5:14). In this wicked and perverse world plunging more and more into darkness, they are called to shine brightly (Phil.2:15). How does a believer go about being light in this world?
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9). In that proclamation comes the sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ to a dying world—that they too may come to Christ and receive His light.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Eph.5:9). This calls for taking no part in worthless deeds of evil but doing what pleases the Lord. (Eph.5:10,11).
The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see…(Romans 13:12-13) A believer’s testimony is his right living for Christ which will be observed by those around and drawing them to the Lord.
If you are someone who is still living in the darkness of ignorance and deception, the invitation is to come to the light of Christ. He paid the price of redemption of each one with His precious blood that was shed on Calvary for the remission of our sins. His blood purifies us from all sin and gives us the light of life. If you are already Christ’s, are you dispensing the responsibility of being His light in this world? May others be drawn to Christ the Light of the world!
Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness,
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You,
Hope of a life spent with You.
*Ref. studylight.org Commentaries
Listen: 'Light of the world'
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