From darkness to light

Mat 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up


Sitting in darkness. Imagine it, yes, really imagine it, it shouldn't be too hard to do. We're in darkness a lot aren't we? We turn off our lights at night and darkness surrounds us. We close our eyes and find darkness. As a rule we don't mind the darkness when we're going to sleep- purposely turning lights off so it helps us get to sleep- the closing of our eyes bringing darkness without any possibility of opening our eyes to find light glaring at us. Darkness isn't so bad when you want to sleep, when you want to go down into the nothingness of sleep. Darkness is really bad when you want desperately to see your surroundings. Who really enjoys remaining in darkness when they're awake? It's not common, it's not the rule of thumb to seek darkness over light when you're actively awake and wanting to go about your day. We have lights all around us trying to dispel unwanted darkness. Before electricity we had gas lights, we had candlelight, we had light from fireplaces all to dispel some of the darkness. When we go about at nighttime it's usually with a light of some kind. If we can't turn on a light we use a flashlight, if we go out in our cars we make sure our headlights are on. Light dispelling darkness is very, very common so common we rarely think about it too much unless we do lose our electrical power- then we're busy trying to find that flashlight or candles to burn.


This verse above states- the people which sat in darkness- it is obviously speaking of spiritual darkness. People do not generally sit about in darkness, sitting denotes being awake not laying down to sleep. These people who were awake yet living in darkness were going to see a great light and that light was that of the gospel Jesus was giving to people. Jesus began to light up those sitting in spiritual darkness and when He gave this light to them it wasn't a dim light but rather a GREAT light. The people saw a GREAT light. Living in darkness they are now able to see.


The verse doesn't stop there it goes on to say… 'and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up'


Sitting in the region and shadow of death. Death is a form of sleeping, those who sat in darkness were awake and in the dark. Those people were closer to spiritual awakening by just sitting in the dark and not sleeping. Those who were in that region and shadow of death were very close to entering a state that would make it harder to wake and even those who were near to spiritual death- unable to be enlightened a light sprung up! This is so amazing, it truly is.


Jesus was bringing enlightenment to a people blind and dying a spiritual death and these were God's chosen people who had God's Holy Temple to claim as their place of worship, the center of their beliefs. These were a unique people who had for hundreds and hundreds, even thousands of years been on this path. Time and again God's people chose to disobey God rather than follow His ways, and time and again they'd been reprimanded. With a history steeped deeply in this process of believing and falling away, believing and falling away they had to realize they needed to desperately keep their hearts right before God. But what exactly does that mean? Could ordinary people hold fast even while the leaders failed to do so? We know this is what God accepts-

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

So you could surrounded by those corrupted and if your heart and spirit are right before God you wouldn't be caught up in their backsliding. We know for a fact that there were at least a few people enlightened and not sitting in darkness or near the shadow of death.

Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.


Luk 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luk 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.


There is the account of two people alive at the time of Jesus' birth who were steadfast in the Lord, not backsliding.


More were enveloped in spiritual darkness than they were in light and Jesus' ministry was as a great light turned on dispelling the spiritual darkness covering the masses.


Today we can compare on a MUCH smaller level what was happening. Every once in a while a seemingly great politician will come along and they're like a breath of fresh air in a political system that seems completely corrupt and hopeless. People will begin to follow this politician, they'll go to all their rallies and support that person in every way they can because that politician is bringing to them enlightened ideas feeding them hope for the future.


Jesus wasn't running for any office and He wasn't seeking anyone's vote, He wasn't stumping for popularity- Jesus was bringing the light of truth to God's people. Jesus was bringing hope to the people. Jesus was bringing the dying to life. Preaching the gospel, preaching repentance and acknowledgement that the kingdom of God longed for had at long last arrived, Jesus began to awaken the spiritual life in people all around Him. They heard them and as one lost in darkness suddenly finding themselves in the light they were amazed and grateful, willing and wanting to learn more and more from the light bearer.


We've had a couple thousand years to reclaim spiritual darkness but just as in all ages God keeps spiritual enlightenment alive in the few, the contrite, the broken.


This spiritual revival Jesus brought with Him as He began His ministry was the truth being allowed to be heard without any restraint. The truth was in Jesus' message and grateful for the awakening people listened and wanted to hear more. The message would be heard!


May we all seek spiritual enlightenment. We are promised the Holy Spirit-


Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you


We will be taught by the Holy Spirit by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior!


Amen!