The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Israel was no stranger to that deep and penetrating darkness under the rule of their enemies. The Jewish people knew of the prophecies that foretold of the Light that would come into the world and bring salvation to God’s people.
2 The people living in darkness have seen a great light; upon those living in the land that lie in the shadow of death, light has dawned.
6 For a child is born to us, A son is given to us; Dominion will rest on His shoulders, And He will be given the name Pele-Yo’etz El Gibbor, Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom. [Wonder of a Councilor, Mighty God Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace]
The light came into the world through the One born to a people, a special people, a chosen and set-apart people.
In Isaiah 49:6
ADONAI has said, “It is not enough that you are merely My servant to rise up the tribes of Ya’akov and restore the offspring of Israel. I will also make you a light to the nations, so My salvation can spread to the ends of the earth.”
Wherever God is, He expels the darkness. Numerous comparisons of spiritual and physical light are paralleled in many respects.
Without the light of the sun, there can be no life. Without the light of the Son, there can be no life. The sun is the light of the world. The Son is the light of the world.
Yeshua spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.”
One must also look to the Son for warmth, growth, direction, light and life for eternity without end, for without the Son, all is lost. The Son is waiting for each one to look up and seek His face and follow Him.
35 Yeshua said to them, “The light will be with you only a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you; he who walks in the dark doesn’t know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, put your trust in the light, so that you may become people of light.”
IF ONLY I HAD…IF ONLY…
I saw the light and rejected it for darkness
I was told if I ask, I would receive
I was told if I would seek, then I would find
I was told if I knocked, the door would open
If only I had… if only…
We are all drawn to the light
The light is the way, the truth, the life
The light is the Word of God
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us
For God loved us so very much
He sent to us His only Son
To pay the debt we could not pay
The debt of sin is forever removed
When each repents, believes and follows Him
I saw the light and rejected it for darkness
I was told if I ask, I would receive
I was told if I would seek, then I would find
I was told if I knocked, the door would open
If only I had…if only…
Each of us has experienced darkness, now experience light. Choose the light TODAY, which destroys darkness. Choose Yeshua, the Word, the Light, the Life forevermore.
"Great Light of the World"
performed by Bebo Norman
He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David, so long afterwards, in the text already given, “Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts.”
7 For he is our God, and we are the people in his pasture, the sheep in his care. If only today you would listen to his voice: 8 "Don't harden your hearts, as you did at M'rivah, as you did on that day at Massah in the desert,
By David: Adonai is my light and salvation;
Whom do I need to fear?
ADONAI is the stronghold of my life;
Of whom should I be afraid?
46 They came to Yericho; and as Yeshua was leaving Yericho with his talmidim and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bar-Timai (Bartimaeus, son of Timai), was sitting by the side of the road. 47 When he heard that it was Yeshua from Natzeret, he started shouting, "Yeshua! Son of David! Have pity on me!" 48 Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the louder, "Son of David! Have pity on me!" 49 Yeshua stopped and said, "Call him over!" They called to the blind man, "Courage! Get up! He's calling for you!" 50 Throwing down his blanket, he jumped up and came over to Yeshua. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" asked Yeshua. The blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me be able to see again." 52 Yeshua said to him, "Go! Your trust has healed you." Instantly he received his sight and followed him on the road.
Life was sitting by the roadside begging. Bartimaeus had nothing else to do. He had heard of this man from Nazareth and how people were being healed. He knew his helpless condition. Then he heard Yeshua was passing by and he began to shout to Him. If anybody could help him it would be Yeshua, for He had healed so many others. The people around Bartimaeus told him to be quiet, but he called all the louder for he was not ashamed to ask for healing. Then he was called to come to Yeshua! He threw off the cloak, jumped to his feet and came to Him, the One that could heal him. What joy! The most important thing that would ever happen to him in his life! “I want to see.” That is what I want.
Looking back, Bartimaeus had a need. There was only One who could heal and give new life. He cried out to Him. He left his cloak of sin behind and by faith He believed and followed Yeshua. Yes, Yeshua really cared about him, just as He loves and cares about each and every one of us.
The Battle of the Ages continues to be fought for the souls of men. Light vs. Darkness! It is a choice we all make; choose light and life by choosing Yeshua Messiah, OR choose darkness and the ways of Satan and death – there is no middle ground. You are either in the light or in the darkness. By not choosing the Light, you choose darkness. The blind man chose Yeshua Messiah. Which one have you chosen? Choose while it is yet today.
"It Is Finished"
performed by the Gaither Vocal Band
