Week Fifty-Two, 2017
FOLLOW THE LIGHT
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).
Christmas, coming right after the winter solstice is one of the longest and darkest nights of the year. It was on this night that God chose to send His light into the world. The light He sent was Jesus. The shepherds saw the physical light and it led them right to the spiritual light, where Jesus lay.
Later the kings of the East saw the star and were compelled to follow it. It led them to Jerusalem. There they meet King Herod of Judea, and asked where the king of the Jews had been born. Herod, following a verse from the Book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directed them to Bethlehem, to the south of Jerusalem. The star led them to Jesus’ in the town, where they worshiped him and gave him gifts. The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew. Some theologians claim that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy.
There are two types of light in the world. We can perceive one, or both, or neither! When we are born into this world, we perceive physical light, and by it we learn of our Creator’s handiwork in the things we see. However, although that light is good, there is another Light, a Light so important that the Son of God had to come in order to both declare and impart it to men. John 8:12 records, “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 have the light of life.’” The allegory used by the Lord in this verse speaks of the light of His Truth, the light of His Word, the light of Eternal Life. Those who perceive the true Light will never walk in spiritual darkness.
We take a candle into a room to dispel the darkness. Likewise, the Light of Jesus Christ has to be taken into the darkness of sin that engulfs the hearts and lives of those who are not following Him. That’s the condition behind having this Light—that we follow Him. If we do not follow Him, we will not have this light, this truth, this eternal life.
All but the blind see the physical light, but only those who have surrendered to Jesus and repent and asked forgiveness of their sin can truly see the spiritual light. If the blind have not, then they will continue to wander in spiritual darkness.
As the light summoned the shepherds and the wise men, the light calls us to the Messiah.
That in essence is the light of the Christmas story.
Have you seen the light and surrendered your life to Him or are you wandering in spiritual darkness?
A very blessed and joyful Christmas to all.
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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
The lifestyle of the Christian is to be different from the world. Set apart. Sanctified. Spiritually focused. When we allow ourselves to become conformed to culture instead of being transformed, we will lose our spiritual passion. —Ken Weliever
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Every Christian needs a Church Family. The Swiss psychologist, Paul Tournier was right, “There are two things one cannot do alone, be married and be a Christian.”
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MORE PERSONAL STORIES:
Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating.
The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.”
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QUOTES YOU CAN USE
God sometimes allows things to happen – good or bad – so that He can and will ultimately be glorified through them. And if that’s the case, He does the same things with talents and gifts. —Marty Stubblefield
Many aspects of success seem rather silly as death approaches. —Donald A. Miller
When we take a sip of water, knowing it is fresh and clean, we are receiving a blessing more than half the world does not know. Dwight Short
Death is nature’s way of telling us to slow down. —Graffiti
Millions long for immortality and yet they don’t know what to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon. —Susan Ertz
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©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618