Meditate. As you reflect on Hope during Advent...consider the Light.
In the last days, the mountain of the LORD's house will be the highest of all--the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD! Isaiah 2:2-5
Walk
in the light. No one who is seeking the Lord would want to walk in
darkness. Darkness represents evil. The Lord Himself is the light…the light of
the world. Jesus said…
Jesus spoke to the people once more and
said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to
walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John
8:12
Isaiah wasn’t writing to Christians here.
He was addressing the Jews…the descendants of Jacob. It could be thought that he was including the
spiritual descendants of Jacob…the Christians Gentiles. That would be us, although
it is written concerning end times—in the
last days. The mountain in Jerusalem, where the Temple once stood, and
where it will again be built as predicted in Revelation, is even today
considered the most important place on earth…or one of the most important
places. No Temple there today—the Dome of the Rock occupies the top of the mountain.
People from around the world have visited Jerusalem…but not today with the
COVID pandemic. It truly is an awesome city to visit...to walk where Jesus walked and to experience the cultures of the people there now is a memorable experience. 
Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock
Jesus taught at the Temple in Jerusalem,
and His teaching went out from Jerusalem, to Judea, all of Israel and to all
the world—the ends of the earth. That is just what Jesus told His disciples to
do right before His ascension. Go. Make disciples. Teach.
Jesus came and told his disciples, "I
have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I
have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus taught with words and by example. Love God first and love your neighbor as yourself. He
treated others with respect and kindness. He encouraged others to let their
light shine…to use their talents for God
You are the light of the world--like a city
on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under
a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to
everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all
to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
Isaiah wrote something similar in
expressing how we could help others as we let our light shine.
Feed
the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the
darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. Isaiah
58:10
Are you letting your light shine—walking in the light—piercing the darkness in your neighborhood or community?
Prayer ~ Lord God, teach me Your ways so that I will walk in Your paths—walking in the light of the Lord—Your light. Guide my steps—my very thoughts, words and actions—that they would be acceptable to You.
Verse of Salvation ~ But
let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith
and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1
Thessalonians 5:8
©
2020 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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