Behold! The Light has come!
Sermon passage: (Luke 1:76-79) Spoken on: December 9, 2012More sermons from this speaker 更多该讲员的讲道: Keng Wan Ling For more of this sermon series 更多关于此讲道系列: Luke
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Sermon on Luke 1:76-79
Introduction
One of the signs of a disaster scene is that the city lights are down. Whether it’s the aftermath of the real-life hurricane Sandy or Hollywood’s many doomsday portrayals, pictures of a darkened city feature prominently. If there is light, it’s from fires gone out of control (as in this picture of the Japanese/ Fukushima radiation disaster). We who are used to the convenience of artificial light easily take it for granted and have forgotten what it’s like to be at the mercy of natural light.
Verses 76-79
Last week Pastor Daniel spoken about Zechariahs’ song of praise as announcing “ The Divine Visit”, heralding God’s OT covenant. Today we continue on to think more closely about the nature and implication of this “Divine Visit”.
Actually, when we read today’s verses, it’s easy to forget that Zechariah is speaking at the birth of his son John, we seem to be reading about Jesus. That is natural, because, like an emissary before the King (cf. John 1:27; Luke 3:16), as the prophet (v76), the one who prepares the way for Jesus, he stands for everything that Jesus stands for. In some cases, there’s even debate about exactly who the verses are talking about. For example, dayspring (Gk. anatole) “rising sun” v78) probably means Jesus, which is like the brightening of the dawn before the sun rises (Lightfoot 1989:29; Green 1997:121; Bock 1994:191). But others say this could mean John too, that John is the few minutes of light, right before the first rays of sun appear (Trever, n.d). I prefer the former interpretation- Jesus as the rising sun- but this debate does give us a sense of how closely related is the inter-twining of their ministries (Myers, 2012).
John (and by implication, Jesus’) ministry was to: (a) to GIVE God’s people the knowledge of salvation to His people (v 77); (b) SHINE on those living in darkness and the shadow of death, and (c)to GUIDE their feet towards peace (v 79). The idea that stands out here is out of the hope and the light that God promises His people- hence the title of the sermon- Behold, the light has come.
The idea of Jesus as the light of the world is often seen, particularly in the Gospel of John (e.g. John 7:37, John 8), but here it is Luke that we are reading. Luke, the Gentile Doctor, who was said to have written the most helpful and readable gospel, wrote a message to the Gentiles. It is only in Luke therefore that we see Zechariah’s praise song (Luke 1) as well as Simeon’s Canticle (Luke 2).
The Concept of Light
I’d like to pause a while to examine the idea- and the qualities- of light.
(a)The affect light has on us: We who live in the tropics may take the sunlight we receive for granted. Others in the depth of winter know that as the daylight hours get shorter, many are prone to depression- there’s even an acronym for this- SAD (seasonal affective disorder). One remedy is to seat the patient near a light source for an hour or so ( bright light therapy); or dawn therapy (where the patient awakes to a gradually brightening light (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_simulation).
(b) Light and colours: Another thing we don’t think much about is how light creates tone and colour, and these in turn create lines, shapes, textures, and perspectives (Freeman, 2004, pg 105). Light makes possible visual expression. Using the right lightning for photography and films is a real art, and the pros use technical language to speak of light- for example, they say the light is harsh or soft- and the use of light- for example, frontlighting, sidelightning and backlighting.
I know we have many photography enthusiasts here who can say more about it- but simply put, backlighting is used for a dramatic effect, for simple graphic pictures, while side-lighting creates more shadows giving more contrasts and revealing textures (Patterson, pg 106). Behind-the-scenes shots of photo shoots show how interesting shots are created by manipulating the light. How do you “light” the wind? This photo shows how the result (with one flash, btw)- and here’s the behind-the-scenes photo (McNally, page 97).
When we come back to the idea of Jesus as the Light of the World, with Him, like the Son, shining on us, there are two aspects that might be helpful.
(1) Light as revelation
We already know that without light, you can’t see anything. But not all light is the same. It is the source and the quality of the light that gives the object perspective, colour and possible meaning.
It’s been said that photography is the one visual art where the artiste doesn’t start with a blank slate; you have an object, and, however hard you try, the photo still retains a trace, a “material vestige” of the subject (Grange, pg 59). If the photographer chooses to be interpretative, to “reveal the hidden reality” of the object/ subject, then it is closer to art (Sontang, pg 121 as cited in Grange, pg 51). *
The source of light in our lifes, like that of Israel and Luke’s Gentile audience, is Jesus. Jesus is sent by God in His mercy (v 78), to shine on us, and reveal and to complete God’s work of salvation (v 77). And John’s task is to make sure the people know about it. As God’s light shines on us, it shows who we are, our identities and our lineage.
So the first idea is that of light revealing who we really are. The second idea is that this same light showing us the way ahead, telling us how to go. Because- lightning isn’t always flattering.
* In some forms of photography, like photojournalism, the opposite is sought- the picture must be objective, or a images is a fair and accurate representation of the event (source; Wikipedia).
(2) Light guiding us in hope towards peace/ rest
Soft (frosted) lightning, like early dawn’s rays, makes everything look good , but as the rays grown stronger and brighter, the rays reveal the ugliness that the darkness masked. Did you watch the F1 race this and previous years? Did you marvel at the aerial shots, at how beautiful they made the Marina Bay seem? And everything looked bright and shine and glamorous? I can tell you that by the next morning, in the light of the day, nothing looked good, and one can see all the trash and debris left behind that needed to clear, all the dust and dirt and the cold, hard cage and the concrete. Some of you may know that I have a ongoing skin problem; some days when my skin looks bad and feels worse, I’d really rather sit in a darkened room and not have to see how bad things look.
As God’s light shines on us, the revelation may be quite sobering. The Old Testament abounds with tales of the prophet trying to tell Israel how things should be as the chosen people of God, intended to be blessings to the world and a witness to Yahweh. Much of this was not well received. Indeed, the truth hurts.
But in His mercy, God’s revelation also gives us hope- through prophets like John, through Jesus Christ, He tells us we are saved (v 77).
To the original audience of John (and Jesus)-Israel- the salvation hoped for was the deliverance of Israel from her enemies. Specifically- Israel is expecting liberation from Rome. However, Jesus promises MORE- He is promising also liberation from sin. “For Luke, the reconciliation of God’s people and deliverance from enemies are both part of the one divine movement” (Green 1997:115). Zechariah’s song hints at this when he says salvation is based on the remission (Gk. aphesis)- or freedom/ liberty from- their sins. The ministry of John was therefore one preaching repentance- telling people their sins had been forgiven, if only they will repent and turn to Jesus. He reasserted very strongly the legal and prophetic summons to repentance (The Bible Student)- “ Repent ye, for the kingdom of God is at hand!”
The promise is also extended to us. The promise of God’s “Shabbat” peace, of God’s rest, at the end of our verse today (v 79) is a glorious one.
Conclusion (and summary):
So Jesus is the light that shines on us, revealing who we are, sons and daughters of God. That same light reveals our flaws and shortcomings and calls us to repent and always turn to God for salvation. A life of repentance and belonging to God acts as our witness to the world, and we in turn are the light and the salt of the world. I can’t end the sermon without referencing back to John 1:
“ 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Thanks be to God for the light in our lives, which He is given by His Grace, and has maintained through His Faithfulness. (1640 words/ 6dec2012)
Prayer: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
References
Freeman, P. (2004). Photography and the art of seeing. 3rd edition. Ontario, Canada: Freeman Press.
Grange, A. (2005). Basic critical theory for photographers. Burlington, MA : Elsevier Focal Press.
Myers, J. (2012). Luke 1:67-80: The Grace Commentaries. Retrieved online from http://gracecommentary.com/luke-1_67-80/
The Bible Student (n.d). The Ministry of John the Baptist. Retrieved online from http://www.biblicaltheology.org/mjb.pdf
Trever, G. (n.d.). NET Study Bible. Retrieved online from http://classic.net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Dayspring
Vowell, S. (2009).Commentary on Light of the World. United Methodists Reporter. Retrieved online from http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5758