John tells us that the true light which enlightens everyone has come into the world. The light shines in the darkness will not overcome it. In Isaiah's day the days were coming. With the coming of Christ the days have now arrived.

We don't have to win a war or win an election for the Kingdom of God to come among us. The Kingdom of God does not come by bullets or ballots; it comes by the Cross of Christ. Our task is to be a community formed around the Crucified One - a community of grace and love where each of us takes up our cross to follow the Lamb

When we bring our wounds to Jesus it initiates our healing. With joy we can draw water from the springs of salvation

There is one continual plan of salvation that began long ago and culminated in Jesus. Jesus came to fulfill what the law and the prophets had tried and failed to do. He brought a new law - the law of love.

Between the house of bondage and the land of milk and honey there is a wilderness. The wilderness is a necessary part of the journey of faith. 

Just as Christ was the rock in the dessert that brought forth water, Jesus will be with us and give us water for our souls.

Salvation looks like being led out through the sea, freed from bondage. God sees, hears, cares.