Great Light

Isaiah 9:2

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

This week, we’ve explored how Christmas resembles John the Baptist: both boldly proclaim Jesus’ arrival to the world. The world’s response is often mixed—sometimes celebrating, sometimes trying to silence or imprison the message. Like John, we want to steadfastly praise and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day and every day!

Jesus praises John as “a prophet? Yes, I say unto you, and more than a prophet” (Matthew 11:9). John is unique as the direct forerunner who announced “He is here!” while pointing to the personally present Jesus.

In Jesus’ view—rooted in the Old Testament He often referenced—a prophet is God’s spokesman or messenger, tasked with:

• Calling for repentance and faithfulness.

• Foretelling future events or consequences (often judgment for sin or hope for restoration).

• Speaking authoritatively on God’s behalf, sometimes authenticated by miracles.

Jesus Himself is repeatedly called a prophet in the Gospels (e.g., Matt. 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 4:19; 6:14) and fulfills Deuteronomy 18:15–18 as the ultimate “prophet like Moses,” with God’s words directly in His mouth (John 7:16).

Prophets are divine intermediaries who declare “Thus says the Lord,” confront sin, and reveal God’s plan—figures like Isaiah, Elijah, and Malachi, whom Jesus frequently quoted.

Today’s verse from Isaiah describes a profound transformation: from spiritual, emotional, and physical darkness to hope and salvation. The “people that walked in darkness” represent ignorance, sin, and despair—spiritual blindness and separation from God. The “land of the shadow of death” evokes deep despair, mortality, and spiritual death caused by sin.

Yet Jesus rescues us from this darkness. He is the Light of the world!