Musings and Contemplations

O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill, and to your dwelling.[1]

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Isaiah 9:1-4 NRSV
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

God’s Grace
Hence, he was in the shadow of life, whereas sinners are in the shadow of death. According to Isaiah, the people who sinned sat in the shadow of death. For these a light arose, not by the merits of their virtues but by the grace of God. There is no distinction, therefore, between the breath of God and the food of the tree of life. No one can say that he can acquire more by his own efforts than what is granted him by the generosity of God.[2]

Matthew 4:12-17 NRSV
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:  “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

The Gospel a Great Light
And the “great light” is Christ our Lord and the brightness of the gospel [is] preaching. From the true light, indeed, the true light proceeded, and from the invisible, the visible. “He is the image of the invisible God.”[3]

Westminster Confession of Faith
“Of Christ the Mediator”
It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.[4]

“Of Effectual Calling”
This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.[5]

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[6]

The Race That Long in Darkness Pined

The Lord has shown forth his glory: O come, let us adore him.

[1] Psalm 43:3 Coverdale Psalter
[2] Ambrose, “On Paradise 5.29.” Ancient Christian Devotional Year A, pp. 52-53.
[3] Cyril of Alexandria, Ancient Christian Devotional Year A, pp. 54-55.
[4] R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess, p. 189.
[5] R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess, p. 239.
[6] Prayer for the third Sunday of Epiphany, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019.