Jesus Christ came with this purpose (Luke 1:77-79 ESV): “to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  This is the same Gospel contained in John 3:16.

People sit in darkness because they can’t find light to leave their condition of misery.  The darkness is the very shadow of death.

Those who remain in it too long die -- spiritually, eternally. 

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied (Luke 1:67-80) about his son’s role to prepare the way for the Savior.  The Savior was to rescue people from their enemies.  The real enemies are not foreign armies or disagreeable people.  The real enemies are spiritual – our own sinful nature, the world and the devil. 

Defeating these enemies of darkness takes supernatural strength.

Imagine being in a pit so dark that the only light that could penetrate would be the full sun itself if it came down from the sky and filled the dark void with all of its brightness, power and penetrating light.  That is what Jesus Christ did.  The full strength of the power and light and grace and truth of God came down from heaven.  He humbled Himself on a cross that we might be saved through

Him, be reconciled to God, and have peace with Him.  

God did what He promised.  He came to rescue us from sin, death and the devil that we might “serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness.”  It was not because we deserved it.  It was all by grace that God showed us mercy by giving His Son to die in our place on the cross.

God’s salvation light shown in Bethlehem on Christmas in the face of the baby Jesus.  God’s salvation light shown on Good Friday in the face of the man Jesus on the cross.  God’s salvation light shines in your heart by faith.  May God’s salvation light shine upon you and fill you with all love, hope, peace and joy unto that day when you see the salvation light face-to-face in heaven.  Amen. 

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org