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A Light has Dawned – Week of January 26, 2026
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20260126ECME.mp3
Listen to Devotion
“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
…
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4:16-17,19
A Light has Dawned
“I’ve seen the light!”
You have probably heard someone say that when they suddenly understand something that they didn’t before. Or, sometimes people say it when they change an old habit or adopt a new behavior. Sometimes it is a change in health or philosophy. Other times we discard an old tradition and bring in something different that can serve us or our family better. It can be refreshing to learn something new and adapt your lifestyle to the idea.
Jesus is the light of the world, and he came to share that light with all people.
Those who are stuck in unbelief are “in the dark,” so to speak. Their sinful thoughts and imperfect actions leave them in the darkness of their own evil desires. They cannot see God and cannot find their way to him.
How, then, did you come to “see the light” of Jesus?
Many think that we have a role to play in coming to faith. Many think that in order to see the light we are the ones who first have to make a choice, a decision, or an action. This is dangerous thinking because it puts the focus on ourselves, not on God.
God’s word shows us something better. God’s word says that he shines his light on us and that God gives us the ability to “see the light” of Jesus! Martin Luther explained, “I cannot by my own thinking or choosing, believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” The Holy Spirit gave us the faith to see that in Jesus, the light of salvation has dawned.
Now, the Holy Spirit has changed our behavior and way of thinking. Now, we want to live in the light and live for Jesus. We have a new zeal to do what our Savior asks of us. And what better way to live in the light of salvation than to “fish for people”? We bring the good news of Jesus to others, so that the Holy Spirit can cut through the darkness of their unbelief and see the light of Jesus’ forgiveness. May we share this light with everyone that we meet!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming to be the light of the world. Help me to share that light with others, spreading your message of repentance and forgiveness to the people you have placed in my life. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20260126ECME.mp3
Listen to Devotion
“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
…
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4:16-17,19
A Light has Dawned
“I’ve seen the light!”
You have probably heard someone say that when they suddenly understand something that they didn’t before. Or, sometimes people say it when they change an old habit or adopt a new behavior. Sometimes it is a change in health or philosophy. Other times we discard an old tradition and bring in something different that can serve us or our family better. It can be refreshing to learn something new and adapt your lifestyle to the idea.
Jesus is the light of the world, and he came to share that light with all people.
Those who are stuck in unbelief are “in the dark,” so to speak. Their sinful thoughts and imperfect actions leave them in the darkness of their own evil desires. They cannot see God and cannot find their way to him.
How, then, did you come to “see the light” of Jesus?
Many think that we have a role to play in coming to faith. Many think that in order to see the light we are the ones who first have to make a choice, a decision, or an action. This is dangerous thinking because it puts the focus on ourselves, not on God.
God’s word shows us something better. God’s word says that he shines his light on us and that God gives us the ability to “see the light” of Jesus! Martin Luther explained, “I cannot by my own thinking or choosing, believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” The Holy Spirit gave us the faith to see that in Jesus, the light of salvation has dawned.
Now, the Holy Spirit has changed our behavior and way of thinking. Now, we want to live in the light and live for Jesus. We have a new zeal to do what our Savior asks of us. And what better way to live in the light of salvation than to “fish for people”? We bring the good news of Jesus to others, so that the Holy Spirit can cut through the darkness of their unbelief and see the light of Jesus’ forgiveness. May we share this light with everyone that we meet!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming to be the light of the world. Help me to share that light with others, spreading your message of repentance and forgiveness to the people you have placed in my life. Amen.
Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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