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Isaiah 60:1-4

The Glory of Zion

¹ “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

⁴ “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.

For over 60 years, Isaiah was called to be a prophet and a servant of God to Israel and Judah. (740-681 BC) In the book of Isaiah, we see that the prophet called the nation of Israel to repentance and to renew their faith with the one and only true God. Because they disobeyed the word of the Lord and continued living in disobedience, we read in Isaiah that in 721 BC, Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity.

“Arise, shine! For your light has come…”It is the cry of the ancient prophet Isaiah, to a distraught and down trodden people who had lost their sense of purpose.  They were exiled, strangers in a strange land, with strange customs, distant from families and friends and familiar practices and customs. Darkness had come over them. They felt that all hope was gone and that their God had abandoned them. Their hope for a better day had been snuffed out. Isaiah’s message to them was to encourage the hearts of God’s people with a message of forgiveness, comfort and hope.

Are you going through a dark valley and you feel that there is no hope? Do you feel alienated from family and friends? Have all your hopes and dreams been smashed against the rocks of life? Do you feel that it would have been better if you were never born? Then you can relate to what the Israelites were feeling. Do you feel so far away from God because of your disobedience? Are you feeling helpless and abandoned? I want you to know that what the Father had revealed to the children of Israel is also for you today. He wants you to know that He has not abandoned you but is calling you to have hope. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Will you call on His name? Will you turn to Him?

No matter how dark and hopeless your situation might seem, God wants to give you the hope and faith to carry on. But in their greatest darkness – Isaiah’s prophecy revealed that the one and only true God had also joined them in their exile. They were not alone, the Lord their God was with them in their captivity.

Maybe you have never known Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Are you living in darkness and under the bondage of sin? Are you a slave to sin and shame? If you feel that there is no hope for you, that no one can free you from your drugs, alcohol, sexual sins, pornography, witchcraft, sorcery, the memories of being abused or just feeling unloved? There is a message for you. There is hope in Christ Jesus. Will you place your faith and hope in the Saviour today? He can free you from all your sins and shame.

Hear the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet, Isaiah;

“Arise, shine! For your light has come!”

St. Nicholas was born of wealthy parents in A.D. 280 in a small village called Patara in Asia Minor today known as Turkey. Before he lost his wealthy parents to an epidemic, they had instilled in him the gift of faith and raised him to be a devout Christian. Nicholas grew strong in his walk with the Lord and he lived his life as closely to the example set by our Lord. Following Jesus’ instructions to “sell what you have and give the money to the poor”, St. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to help the needy, the sick, the orphans and the widows.  There are many stories of his generosity and compassion: how he begged for food for the hungry, how he would give money to girls so they would have a dowry to get a husband. One story that is so common is how he would disguise himself and go out and give gifts to the needy and suffering children. He dedicated his whole life to serving God and was so Christ-like that when the village needed a Bishop he was elected to this position. During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, he was imprisoned for his faith and was released from his chains under Emperor Constantine. Yet, with all the struggles, St. Nicholas followed Christ in all he did.

During this holiday season, may we remember that Nicholas set a good example for us in how we should celebrate this season, give to the poor, show kindness to others and above all, live for God in all that we do. Because, as it says in the bible, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) God loves us so much. We should accept his free gift of eternal life and live for him just as Nicholas did, with everything.

In John, chapter 4:1-42

This event takes place early in Jesus’ ministry. He didn’t want to leave anyone out even though the Jewish people had very little dealings with the Samaritans—they considered them dogs.

This story is a private conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman which was highly unusual for a number of reasons.  First, she was a Samaritan. Second, she was a woman.  Third, she was coming for water at noon; women usually came early in the morning when it was cool.  She likely had to come at noon because of her bad reputation.  Fourth, this was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to the Samaritans and is important because Jesus was showing that the gospel was for everyone, not just the Jews.

As Jesus begins to explain that true worship is not related to location but to the state of the heart—“in spirit and in truth”—she responds by saying that when Messiah comes He will set them all straight. Jesus then declares openly to her that he is the Christ; the only time until his arrest that he will openly declare his identity as Messiah.   Jesus kind answer allows her to drop her defenses, and understand that He saw her significance and worth.

Jesus knew all about her and went there to demonstrate that he was above all prejudices.  Through this cross-cultural act, Jesus was showing that salvation is for everyone.  He was at the Jacob’s well so we would have a living example of His love for all peoples.

Jesus wants everyone to have the opportunity to receive this living water, it is for everyone and we don’t have the right to hold it back because of our feelings.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see that you died for all the Nations and people of the world. Cleanse me from my prejudices and hatred of others. Help me to reach out to those that are different than me.