INTRODUCTION

READINGS:

1st Reading: ISAIAH 60:1–6 2nd Reading: MATTHEW 2:1–12

ISAIAH 60:1–6

It says your light has come that is Jesus Christ, He came, died and rose again, He has already won the victory on the cross and all sin has been paid for because we are on the winning side.

In so many areas there is darkness of despair hovering over the world, the one good thing is that the darker it becomes the easier it is to see the light.

And as Isaiah said when the enemy comes like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against Him.

We should arise and shift because Gentiles shall come to your light. The light attracts and not just moths, people want to see something that is real, Paul assures us in Ephesians that if we make the first effort towards Jesus, He will shine upon you.

MATTHEW 2:1–12

In the time of King Herod after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wisemen from the East came to Jerusalem asking where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?

For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard these scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the messiah was to be born. They told him in Bethlehem of Judea for it has been written by the prophet.

And you Bethlehem in the land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people, Israel.

The Herod secretly called for the wisemen and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared, then he sent them to Bethlehem saying Go and search diligently for the child and when you have found him bring me word so that may also go and pay him homage.

When they had heard the King, they set out and there ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was.

When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure chests they offered him Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, and having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

MESSAGE

Arise and shine commands believers to respond to Gods light by shining it back into a dark world.

Christians should recognize that Jesus is the light and Glory of the Lord giving them a new identity and purpose to be a light to others.

1. Believers should not be ashamed of their faith

Their actions, the love of God draws others to God.

2. Without God we’re stuck in the shadows

Gods light ignites a new beginning in a world that definitely needs hope.

3. Jesus died and rose again

He has already won the victory on the cross and all sin has been paid for. We are on the winning side—more than enough reason to live for Him and shine.

The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Jesus has given life to you, His presence is with you and we cannot shine with Him.

The story of the Magi in Matthew 2:1–12 teaches us that Jesus is our King and we should put God first in our lives. Jesus Christ is greater and more powerful than Herod. They endured a long journey from Persia to Bethlehem to meet Jesus the King; they risked their lives for the sake of Jesus.

REFLECT

Are you and I willing to put Jesus First in our lives?

1. As Christians we need to ask ourselves: Are you and I running to His light? Are you trusting in Him during the dark time? The light is shining and Jesus is calling us to come to Him.
2. We need to look like the Light of the world; we need to reflect His Glory to those around us. Jesus wants us to shine like the stars.
3. We need to welcome others into His light. The nations are coming to us. We as Christians are the kind of people who are so filled with the light, we can also see that the tax collectors also came to Jesus. We need to ask ourselves whether we are going out carrying forth the light. Are we out in the city living lives of love carrying the good news? How many of us will risk our lives to go and spread the Gospel to the outside world.

JOHN 1:5

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness have not overcome it.

NGAI AMURATHIME (God Bless You All)