Parables in Everyday Life: The Light of the World

The drive home from the evening service at Gateway Baptist Church tonight was a long, dark, narrow, and winding way through the rain and misty fog. Even with our fog lights on, it was hard enough to see even six feet in front of us in many spots. Being in the country as we are, I was fully expecting a deer to jump headlong in front of us and I knew my reaction time would be greatly impaired given the weather conditions and wet roads. Nevertheless, home we went. Slowly, carefully, and ever watchful.

It seemed like forever when we finally turned down our quiet, dark dirt road, and then onto our driveway. The sight that I beheld almost left me breathless....

Light!

 A light in the darkness that, for us, signaled an end to our long and trying journey; rest for our weary bodies and minds. Hope, joy, and peace. 

Isn't that the meaning of the season? 

Hope. Joy. Peace.

At this wonderful sight of home, this light in the darkness, the echoes of the evening service we just left that little bit ago resounded in my head. The words of another Light in the darkness:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

~John 1:1-14 

 The Light of the world that came to earth that evening in Bethlehem of Judea. With no room in the inn, the only place our blessed Savior could be born into this world was in a lowly stable, and the only place our wonderful King had to lay His precious head was in a rough and dirty manger. 

In the stillness and darkness of night came the Light, our redemption song, to take away the sins of the world that would crucify Him in the most brutal way, and to receive us back unto Himself through His undeserved Grace alone. 

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The light that announced the birth of our Lord, Savior, and King was but a shadow compared to the Light of the Word that had come to dwell among us in the dark of night.

The wise men knew it that night that the light in the night sky appeared. They knew the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“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.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Mid'i-an.
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Isaiah 9:2-7

The Light had finally come! Into this dark and twisted world, the Light came to guide us home!

Our Savior came to give us hope, joy, peace, and rest in HIM!

From the humility of the manger to the disgrace of the cross, it all pointed to the glorious future that we would have in Him. 

Hope in eternity.

Joy in His salvation.

 Peace in His promise.

Rest in His bosom.

Where are your eyes fixed this Christmas season? 

Have you been traveling a path that is long, difficult, and burdensome?

I know of One who can give you  rest. 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Matthew 11:28-29

In the busyness of this Christmas season do not forget to be still and simply rest in Him. Take a moment to stare at the stars and simply stand in awe of the Creator who, from nothing, created light, and then became our Light to guide our way Home.

The Light shines brightest in the dead of night.

So Jesus shines for us in our darkest hours. 

Seek His face, seek His embrace.

DO go towards that Light, fall at His feet and, basking in His everlasting glory, give your burdens to the One who has already overcome the world. Let the One who has already won the victory over sin and death carry your heavy load, just as He carried that heavy cross to Calvary, and take up His yoke, which will never be a burden to carry.

Rest in Him.