From Darkness to Light
God Prepares the Way
John the Baptist
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) Isaiah 9:1-7
The MessageA Child Has Been Born—for Us!9 But there'll be no darkness for those who were in trouble. Earlier, he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he'll make that whole area glorious—the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee. 2-7 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and clubs and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised Kingdom.
He'll put that Kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
For Reflection
There was great joy at the announcement of Jesus' birth. Prophets have foretold stories of a great king who would save Israel from the tyrants that dominate it. They expected a warrior That would wage a great revolution. What they got, however, was not a great warrior but one who would turn the world upside down. After the resurrection, they expected a quick return to Jesus' rule. But that was not the plan. As the gospel writers tell us, Jesus' revolution is one of individual conversion. If we understand the mustard seed parable, we find that the Jesus movement and the development of the church will grow from a mustard seed spreading the good news of conversion and faith like an invading weed. (Think Kudzu.)
The Kingdom of God may take tens of thousands of years to become fully realized. But eventually, Christ will win the hearts and souls to his side. The Kingdom's firm footing is faith, not war. PrayPray, and await God's call for you to participate in spreading the gospel by your witness to the truth of the Kingdom. Pray, and prepare to acknowledge the call of God.
Forward to a friend
Sign up for our mailing list! | 
