The Guiding Light

Isaiah 60: 1-6

Well, for all Ohio State University sports fans, the New Year certainly began in wonderful fashion as the "Bucks" defeated the "Ducks" of Oregon on New Year's Day.  So, indeed --- Happy New Year to you!  Grammatically speaking, that's an imperative, isn't it?  Yes, an exclamation.  Regardless, it is a new year, which for many people typically means new hope for their lives, which might also mean resolutions.  I would consider "hope" an expectation, which in its own right is special, as there's a particular brightness attached.  In other words, there is an illumination; a lighter, possibly even more joyful side of life.  Even if we're still feeling like we're in the dark it is my hope you can take heart knowing the Light is so close.  So close…           

And with this light, this illumination, what is to be done with it?  How do we use it?  Well, we can't begin until we look at the end.  How about this - please look at the words of the conclusion of this morning's worship bulletin, on the back page where it reads, "dismissal."  That's where we're asked to…to do, what?  YES - "Share the good news!"  That is called "proclamation."   So now we may begin with the proclamation, yes the exclamation of an expectation regarding the celebration of the illumination bringing forth acclamation which is the culmination of the promise, the verification by our Living God drawing us to the Lord's throne of Grace, just as the three Magi were drawn to the manger of our Lord Jesus by a most brilliant illuminating star - a guiding light.  It was the illumination for our salvation.       

And Matthew's gospel has a bit of revelation about this illumination - the light.  These wise men - in Greek, mag 'os - means astrologers, indicating they had some kind of knowledge about stars.   They were from the East, probably Persia - yes, these three Magi, these three non-Jewish worshipers were asking where this child, the King of the Jews was.  The gospel text says, "For we have observed HIS star at its rising."  Mmmm - did you catch that?  "His" star, rising.  These men, who were apparently quite patient in their search for Jesus, were being guided by a star in the East, a star which God Almighty had placed in the sky.  And that's when I wondered; what would have happened had the Magi not been patient - not followed the guiding light?  Then I turned my thoughts inward: what if I don't follow the guiding light?  What if you don't follow this light?      

It was the arrival of these "non-Jews," Gentiles, at Bethlehem which turns out to be a part of the divine plan, an accomplishment - yes, a completion of God's promises made long ago.  It was through their searching, their guidance, their obedience, and their subsequent worship that fulfills the scripture we just heard read from the book of Isaiah - perfect for the season of Epiphany; a season when we celebrate the revealing of the Light.  Epiphany means to make known, or to reveal.  That's what the Magi did, isn't it?  Reveal - to make known to the world…the LIGHT - the GUIDING LIGHT…of the World?

Yes it's the prophet Isaiah who writes, "Arise - shine - your light has come!"  And that's not all - it also states, "The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you!"  Succinctly, there's the exclamation of illumination for our proclamation!  Now I know it may appear I'm playing some kind of a word game but I'm really hoping it'll be a tool to remember these all-important scriptures capturing the Gift - yes, Jesus, to whom the Magi gave their earthly gifts.  Yes, Jesus - the same Gift we worship today.

What the prophet was referring to with the exclamation of ARISE - SHINE, was his proclamation of Jerusalem's coming exaltation, as God was this very light!  The beauty of the promise of God fulfilled that God's light will shine so brightly that people from all nations around the world will come to Mt. Zion - yes, they will be drawn to the Light, the guiding light of God.  The words "your light has come" may be somewhat ambiguous, as they not only refer to YAHWEH, but also the light of restored Israel whose character God has changed.  It is God's glory that has made the changes.  It is the very light of God that attracts and guides.

It's in darkness where Israel was for so many years - decade after decade after decade.  But now there's the affirmation of God's glory which will free them from their present oppression.  It's a reversal!  It's that very light we long to see too, isn't it?  It's the very light which can help us out of some of the darkest places in our lives.  Like a child afraid of the dark longing for the safekeeping of her/his parents' embrace, we can take refuge in the Light and security of our Just and Loving and faithful God.  And with the beginning of a new year perhaps one or more of your "resolutions" is to search for "some" light, perhaps ridding yourself of different characteristics: maybe losing some unwanted weight, watching less TV and reading more, making sure you're more intentional about quality family time, or to quit smoking if that's an issue   We are drawn to the light, yes, but please hear this - we are also sent from it.  We are gathered and sent, just like the church is - and must be!  We need to turn ourselves inside out for the good of the world.  Or in these days of Epiphany, be like the Magi; reveal to others the Light which God is showing to us through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is the revelation of God's grace through the waters of baptism and the Lord's Supper.  It is the Light for which most people really thirst.     

And in order to do that we are sent deep inside ourselves - not on some narcissistic level, but more on an inventory basis, so we can ultimately make the proclamations we are called to share!  Look at the words in Isaiah referring to the light…SHINE; GLORY; LIGHT; BRIGHTNESS; RADIANT; DAWN (meaning an enlightened brilliance), and even darkness because of its contrast with the light.  It is important to keep in our mental rear-view mirrors how some aspects of our lives have been so dark, bleak, gloomy, filled with despair so that we keep the guiding Light in front of us!

Just like Israel had done for all those years in exile, their heads and eyes looked down, but Isaiah implores them to "Lift up your heads - your eyes - look around!"    Jerusalem had thought of itself as a forsaken, forgotten, forlorn city, but now because God is fulfilling a promise - a covenant - not only attracting those in exile, but attracting the wealth of nations.   It also attracted the gifts from the Magi who came to Bethlehem some 6 miles south of the city of God, via that brilliant shining light. 

But you know this is not a story about those of us who are faithful to God will receive all kinds of riches.  Nooooo - hardly - this is not the "prosperity gospel!"  What the text is telling us is that these riches are not to shower Jerusalem - they're in worship mode, showering their wealth to YAHWEH - our Loving, Living God.  You see, the last half of our final verse of Isaiah tells us that these people from far away will definitely bring their wealth consisting of gold and frankincense, BUT, they shall also PROCLAIM their praises to the LORD! 

Let us shower the Lord with our riches; it's not all about the money - it's our knowledge, our will, and our faith, our desire to share the good news.  Yes, PROCLAIM the Light to which we have been, and are continued to be drawn to.  Proclaim that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, was born, who from the manger to the Cross to resurrection, sets an example as a guiding light for us to follow.  And when we stray into the darkness of the world from time to time - and you know it's going to happen - we now have a better idea of what to look for, what to do, to get back on track.  We now know how we can help others who are still in darkness - some even family members - how to be touched by this divine, guiding light.

As I read the words from Ray Engebretson sharing the news of Mary Ann's death on their web site, he said how grateful the family was for all the prayers which gave them joy amid their darkness.  Thank God for you.   "Arise - shine - for our light has come!"  Let us make a resolution to be diligent making the proclamation that the expectation of God's illumination is here - that our lives are the validation, the very confirmation, that just as the Magi did, we must have celebration for the birth and life of our Lord Jesus who IS the culmination for our salvation.  Our guiding light.