#DailyDevotion Jesus is the light and glory of the Lord.
December 31st
Read Is 60:1–22
Isa 60:1-9 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. (2) For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (3) And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising… (6) A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD… (9) For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful.
This lesson is often read at Epiphany, when the magi from East come and visit the infant Jesus. It depicts a time past for us now, a present reality and a future reality. The time past is the incarnation of the Word of God, Jesus and his visitation by the Magi who came to him on camels (how do you travel out there then?) with treasure fit for a king. The world was in darkness but the Light of the world arose and his glory shown in the sky as the angels proclaimed his birth.
The time now is the nations who continually stream to the Lord our God, Jesus Christ. Through the proclamation of the good news, Jesus has brought peace between God and man by his death and resurrection, people from all nations, languages, tongues and tribes are coming to Zion, the holy City of our God, the Church. You and I are part of this present reality as we become part of Zion, living stones and pillars in the City of the Living God.
We still look forward as God’s people when, Isa 60:17-21 “Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; instead of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness. (18) Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. (19) The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (20) Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. (21) Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.”
Oh Lord our God, Heavenly Father, send forth your ministers upon the face of the earth to gather your people from the nations that they may inherit your Zion, your City, the place of your peace when you send your Son Jesus Christ, a second time to the earth. Amen.