Today’s Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 1:1-14, 22-28; Romans 1:1-17
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The nations agree: It’s dark down here. Everyone thinks they can fix it. The real reason we cloak our politics in religion isn’t just for votes. It’s because we think we can fulfill the prophecies. We think we can be what the Scriptures promise: the ultimate hope for a better world.
Nobody ever brought you gold, frankincense, and myrrh. That was reserved for the true source of hope and the light of the world: Jesus.
It’s dark down here, but hope isn’t found in changing that fact. It’s found in the light that shines in darkness, so that darkness could not overcome it. The grave could not overcome it. That light is Jesus. The whole of the Bible points to Him. Lift up your eyes and see. We don’t need to create a utopia in order for Christ to conquer death on the cross and rise from the dead. All the nations gather because whether the kingdom is growing or crumbling, God wants to be present to save in a way that kingdoms never could. The wonderful part is that in Christ, they never had to do the saving. The Christ Child was born. He is the Savior of the nations, come in the flesh. The glory of the Lord has come to earth. There is hope that rests on Him, given not just to the nation that figures out the right system, but to all. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
–Rev. Harrison Goodman
Come, heav’nly Bridegroom, Light divine, And deep within our hearts now shine; There light a flame undying! In Your one body let us be As living branches of a tree, Your life our lives supplying. Now, though daily Earth’s deep sadness May perplex us And distress us, Yet with heav’nly joy You bless us. (O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright, LSB 395:2)