Valerie Rae Hanneman
Isaiah 49:6 (New King James Version) “Indeed He says, ‘ It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
I woke up Monday a week ago to the shrill wake-up call of my alarm. I rolled over and sat up to turn it off and could not see it. “Dingle berry,” I said to myself, “you have the alarm facing backwards!” It took only another moment of fumbling to realize that the alarm clock was not facing backwards. Its LED display was not lit because we had no electricity! When I realized this I looked around my room and noticed for the first time that all the little lights that I seldom notice were now conspicuously absent! It was really, really dark. I inched myself across the room, down the hall, feeling my way carefully. I made it into the entryway and opened the hall closet. I banged my toes on the vacuum cleaner as I was reaching for the flashlight, but, to my credit, did not use inappropriate language even though it really hurt! With the flashlight I was able to partially see in the darkness. I knew that I still had to go to work and Steven had to go to school. I discovered that if you angle the flashlight just right into the bathroom mirror the reflection will go over the top of the shower and you can take a quick, very basic shower. I then woke my son up. Steven’s first reaction at seeing his mom standing over him with a flashlight was that the house was on fire. (Fastest he has EVER gotten out of bed!) I assured him that all was well (relatively speaking), gave him his own flashlight and told him to get ready for school. I then got dressed – a best-guess scenario because it was impossible to tell if the clothes I had chosen were clean and wrinkle-free. I took one flashlight look at my hair and put my curling iron and hairspray into a plastic bag – I would have to do that at work. Next I rushed back to check on my son’s progress. Through the sliding glass window I could see how much lighter it was outside. “Look, son,” I said, “The dawn has come, the darkness is gone.”
Israel knew about darkness and not just about the darkness of the night. Their darkness went much deeper than that. There was the darkness of the body – The Roman government ruled their land with an iron fist. The throne of David was long gone – gentiles ruled in Israel. There was also the darkness of the spirit. The Law of Moses – as interpreted by the religious leaders – had become so burdensome that it was like a yoke around their necks. The law was hard and the religious leaders were constantly checking to make sure you obeyed it! But the worst darkness was the darkness in their hearts. They were the seed of Abraham, God’s chosen people – but the voice of God was not heard in Israel. And it had not been heard for four hundred years.
Simeon goes to the temple once again to look at the baby boys, praying that this is the day when he will see the right baby. A fisherman and his young sons, Simon and Andrew, cast their nets into the Sea of Galilee, dreaming of the day when the Roman tax collectors will not take excessive taxes from their catch. A child born a cripple watches the other children play and prays for a miracle. Pharisees search the law for anyplace where their obedience is weak because maybe – just maybe - if they completely follow the law then the voice of God will be heard again. The bottom rung of the social ladder, the shepherds in the hills, hope for the day of being respected and equal. An innkeeper in Bethlehem wonders about his purpose in this life of mediocrity.
Like a mist that covers the land comes a single whisper of the heart– “Come, Messiah.”
And so He does. Born in a stable of humble parents, the Light that will dispel the heart darkness has come. Elohim Bashamayim, God in Heaven, has become Emmanuel, God With Us. The Glory of Eternity has clothed Himself in frail human flesh.
And nobody knows it. As Mary nurses the Great I AM, life in Bethlehem goes on just the same as it did yesterday and the day before. Oh, there’s that crazy story the shepherds told last night – but who knows what they’re smoking up in those hills?
There will be one more spark in the Temple as Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus for Who He is, but then for 30 years He will live quietly and anonymously among us.
Then the light comes to the land as Jesus steps into the public eye. He’s the promise of God fulfilled, He’s Messiah - but He is NOT what they are expecting. They’re expecting a king who will kick out the Romans and re-establish the throne of David. What they are getting is the Servant Who will bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth.
He will not free the fishermen from the taxes, but He will free their souls and make them fishers of men. The cripple will be lowered through a hole in the roof, receive a miracle, then he will dance out through the door. The Pharisees will be taught that it is not the law that counts, it is where the heart is. Shepherds will listen as Messiah teaches that the last will be first and the first will be last. The innkeeper will find a purpose much greater than that that an earthly king can give them.
After 400 years, the dawn has come to Israel, the Light that will end the darkness of the heart is born. Messiah has come.
He is still the Light of the world today. He came to defeat the darkness in Israel, He came to defeat the darkness in us. The darkness of our hearts is filled for eternity by the light and salvation found in Jesus.
Jesus, my Savior and my God, thank You so much for the light that You have bought into my life. Help me to shine so brightly for You that others see what You have done for me and come to You to have the darkness of their hearts filled by You.
Contact Valerie or subscribe to the e-Ministry of FFBC at valerie@fresnofirst.org.
Posted by Valerie at December 16, 2006 12:19 AM