In recent days the rising sun has sent a splendour across our local landscape. These golfers on the Conwy Morfa were bathed in sunlight as they prepared to tee off. Behind them, still in shadow of winter was Conwy mountain; yet to receive the sunrise on its steep slopes.
God promised through the prophet Isaiah that while the earth was covered in night and the peoples in darkness he would send the Messiah who would rise like the sun to send a splendour over his people. He would come into our world to “bind up the broken hearted; to proclaim liberty to captives and release to those in prison.”
The fact is there is still a spiritual darkness covering the earth because God and his ways are not honoured. Most people are either ignorant of the God of the Bible; indifferent towards him or downright rebellious against him. The end result of this is to be seen in the growing catalogue of wrong people inflict upon one another.
St John writes that the choice to remain in the darkness after the light has come inevitably brings the judgement of God.
“this is the test he says, light has come into the world but men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Honest men come to the light and give allegiance to God’s only Son” John 3 v 18-21
While we refuse to let God’s light shine on the dark side of our lives we will not know the healing and wholeness Christ offers us.
We must recognise something of the darkness we are in and call out to God to rescue us from it.
This is why God became man in Jesus; to rescue us from the darkness of our sinful lives; to turn our mourning into dancing and our sorrow into joy.
We were not meant to crawl in the dust with the serpent (Genesis 3) but soar like eagles to the very highest places (Isaiah 40)
Lord Jesus Christ, You are our rising Sun; the splendour of eternal light. All your words and ways are just and true. Come again to bring light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Enlighten me Lord with your grace and truth.
