The nations shall see your...
Illustration
"The nations shall see your vindication, and the kings your glory; and you shall be exalted by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give" (Isaiah 62:2).
Gilbert was once a member of a teenage street gang. Born into a dysfunctional, rough, single-parent family, he saw the street gang as his only true family. Eventually, this led to him being sent to state prison for crimes committed. But Gilbert's street gang friends all disappeared. So while in the prison he became involved with a church that ministered to the prisoners. One of the church families took a particular interest in Gilbert and befriended him. He became such a model prisoner, that the parole board gave him early release. He was sent home at Christmas to be with the church family who had "adopted" him while he was incarcerated. Gilbert now had a chance to be a new light to the world through Christ.
Isaiah writes of a new life and a chance for Israel, or Zion, to be a light. Israel's former parochial and hierarchal Zion theology was discredited during the Baby-lonian exile. At the birth of the new Messiah on Christmas, God provides Israel a new chance to be a light to all nations. Isaiah's promise in our text has come true during the season of Christmas. God will make Israel, or Zion, a new light despite past errors in judgment that led to their exile.
Gilbert was once a member of a teenage street gang. Born into a dysfunctional, rough, single-parent family, he saw the street gang as his only true family. Eventually, this led to him being sent to state prison for crimes committed. But Gilbert's street gang friends all disappeared. So while in the prison he became involved with a church that ministered to the prisoners. One of the church families took a particular interest in Gilbert and befriended him. He became such a model prisoner, that the parole board gave him early release. He was sent home at Christmas to be with the church family who had "adopted" him while he was incarcerated. Gilbert now had a chance to be a new light to the world through Christ.
Isaiah writes of a new life and a chance for Israel, or Zion, to be a light. Israel's former parochial and hierarchal Zion theology was discredited during the Baby-lonian exile. At the birth of the new Messiah on Christmas, God provides Israel a new chance to be a light to all nations. Isaiah's promise in our text has come true during the season of Christmas. God will make Israel, or Zion, a new light despite past errors in judgment that led to their exile.
