Page 9 - Living Light 87

Monday December 2 - The light of life
“...(they) have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of
deathalighthasdawned.” Matthew4:16
The night can be a time when our repressed stresses and hidden fears surface, whether through dreams that trouble us or anxious thoughts that keep us from slumbering sweetly. The morning, with its promise of clarifying light, can feel far away, as if it will never arrive.
Israel, God’s people, may have felt this despair, when for several centuries they had had no revelation of God. And then Jesus burst onto the scene, fulfilling the prophecies of old – including Matthew’s quote (from Isaiah) that ‘those in the darkness now see a great light’.
David speaks of this light in his song to the Lord, ‘For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light’ (Psalm 36:9). The source of all light is God, and it’s Jesus, who takes us to his Father, who is the light. We glimpse the light of the Father through the Son, as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. These are mysteries to ponder and delight in!
Note that Isaiah speaks of the ‘shadow of death’, which the light of Christ dispels. Death no longer holds us because of Jesus, whose sacrifice tore the curtain of death in two (Mark 15:38). We are no longer separated from God because of this freeing gift. I invite you today to ponder the wonder of light.
Light of the world, you came that I might not be mired in darkness but would enjoy your light and life. Help me to seek that light. Amen.
Tuesday December 3 - Repent, and live!
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
When have you experienced the burning desire to repent and turn from your harmful, hurtful ways? I’m guessing that if you’re reading these Bible reading notes today, you have at some point felt the need to confess and move away from sinful patterns of behaviour. I trust and hope that you then received God’s love, acceptance and peace. There’s no feeling quite like it, is there?
We see how Jesus speaks a message of repentance, because “the kingdom of heaven is near.” Why would we want to stay mired in the ways that lead us away from God when we could be living in the kingdom of God – when we could be experiencing joy, peace, kindness and the other fruit of the Spirit? We may find it difficult to extinguish our pride and confess our wrongdoing, but God can help us even in that – we only need to call upon him, and he will answer.
Why not spend some time today with Jesus, perhaps going for a walk or gazing out of your window, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that you could bring to him in repentance? You don’t need to go digging; just trust that God will bring to mind any ways in which you’ve failed him. He will hear you and free you of the consequences of your wrongdoing.
Sacrificial Jesus, thank you for giving of yourself, that I might enjoy life in your kingdom. Help me to repent whenever I need to. Amen.
7
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY