Setting up the Sunrise

It is amazing how God has set up His creation like one extended sermon illustration. The sermon is titled "He is Risen." And maybe the daily experience of sunrise is the point of this illustration of nature. Every day every one of us watches the defeat of darkness, whether we're paying attention or not. Nature's darkness has its beautiful and comforting aspects, but in this illustration it graciously plays the part of a darkness that has no redeeming qualities: our sin. Jesus became this darkness on the cross so that life in Him for every one who trusts in Him alone for it becomes the sunrise. Feeling better from my little sickness puts me in a more grateful place than my busy mind usually is, so this morning I'm grateful for the miracle of the light of a new day. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world."

There's something peculiar about human life under the rule of God. When our eyes see the light, our gratitude extends even to the bitterest struggles of the night before. I would not agree to part with my past, even at its worst, simply because my specific past is the only road to this new moment of life with God. My joy in healing makes me strangely grateful for the sickness, or at least the clear view of His hand in it that the light now helps me see. The coldest, darkest night is a set up for the sunrise.

Near the end of Luke 1, we have the last two verses (78-79) of Zechariah's song, often called Benedictus. He's fresh from a season of muteness, now celebrating the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and the One he will serve, Jesus Christ.

Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.