A Light Has Dawned

Matthew 4:16-18 (NIV)
“the people living in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” ¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” ¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother, Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.”
Sometimes we are those people living in darkness - a speeding truck deliberately rams people walking down a street in New Orleans, killing and wounding many; planes are sabotaged and crash, killing all on board; bombs are dropped on make-shift hospitals in war-torn villages killing the patients and doctors inside; and the deep darkness covers our hearts.
Evil seems rampant. Yet, as Isaiah the prophet wrote in Chapter 9, Verse 2, and was quoted in our verse today in Matther 20:16 - “the people living in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has downed.”
Christ came into the world and is still here, offering that great Light. That Light can bring hope, peace and comfort to all who turn to Him. The word repent means to feel or express sincere regret or remorse for our wrongdoing, our wrong thinking, our wrong actions. If we repent, we turn from the darkness and live in the Light.
A Light has dawned. And the Light, Jesus, told us to repent - to change - because the kingdom of Heaven is near. And he calls believers today, just as he called Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, to follow the Light - Jesus himself. If we change from the ways of the world and walk in to the Light of LOVE, we are following Jesus.
Following Him means emulating Him - being Light to the world of darkness. We are to be the Light of Hope, the Light of LOVE, the Light of Peace - just as Jesus taught; just as Jesus lived! We are to be Light and to let that Light shine on a dark and suffering world.
Prayer:
Dear Lord - Come! Let your Light shine through me today! Amen!
This devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard.
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