Gospel

The Rising Son Shines

by Roland Crim
01/19/17
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“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79 NIV

Contained herein is part of the prophesy of Zechariah about his new born son John the Baptist. How can we apply these words to today?

Do we go before the Lord when we share with others the Good News? Possibly. Some we share the Good News with will have heard it from others, others may not have really had anyone truly share Jesus with them. Although we may not be prophets, we certainly could be given the title evangelists. Anyway, the title is not what is of importance. What is of importance is that people hear the Good News! We need to let others know of the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus, and only Jesus can free us from our sins. He can release us of the heavy chains in which we are held bound. This only He can do.

This is all done out of the mercy and love that the Father and the Son have for us, wretched mankind. We are saved as sinners, not as self-righteous individuals. Remember, Christ said that sick people need a doctor, not those who are healthy. Until we truly meet and accept Jesus, we are sick in our sinfulness.

Notice this scripture says “the rising sun will come to us from heaven”. More than that, The Son of God has come to us from Heaven. He was sent to us by the Heavenly Father. Notice it says “rising sun”. Jesus Christ is the Risen Son of God. He rose from death as the first fruit for all those who believe in Him!

Notice the reading also says “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” Those who do not have Jesus Christ in their life certainly do live in darkness, for Christ is the sole true light in this earth. In Christ we have the light of truth. Also, those who do not have Christ live in the shadow of death. Each of us will face the death of our human body. Even Jesus Christ faced this event. However, those who do not have Jesus Christ living within them will face much more than the death of their human body. They will face eternal punishment, cast into the unquenchable fire, banished from the presence of God forever. We should not want this fate for anyone, even our enemies. We are commissioned by Christ! We must share the Good News so that Christ may come into the hearts of many!