A Great Light

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. - Isaiah 9:2

    In this and the previous chapter, God the Spirit reveals a beautiful picture of Christ’s deliverance of those whom God the Father has given to Him. They are a wonder of God’s sovereign grace, manifested in the appearing and redemptive work of Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s elect, who have all their life walked in spiritual darkness, dwelling in the land of the shadow of death, have now by the power and revelation of God, by the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, seen a great Light—For God, who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).

    The Lord Jesus Christ is that great light, and in him is life, truth, peace, and assurance. It is now said of those upon whom that Light has shined, Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness (1 Thes 5:5). When God effectually reveals Christ to a sheep who walks in darkness, there is a radical change; a change that is compared to the difference in darkness and light.

    Our Lord gives us an example in Saul’s (Paul’s) conversion—And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me (Acts 22:6). Thereafter, Paul’s life was never the same. Others saw that light, but not with discernment, just as many see and hear the truth, without faith and only with natural understanding. That great Light is a wonder and amazement only to those upon whom the Son of Righteousness has shined.