LUKE 1:78-79 - MAY THE SON RISE IN YOU

May the Son Rise in You

Luke 1:78-79 (Complete Jewish Bible)

. . . through our God’s most tender mercy,

    which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven,

 to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death,

    and to guide our feet into the paths of peace.

Zacharias had doubted Gabriel’s word when told her that he and Elizabeth would have a son, and the Lord literally rendered him speechless. However, as soon as he named the newborn “John” as the angel had commanded him, his tongue was free to speak again, and God used the priest as a prophet. In his magnificent poem, he spoke of his own son being the forerunner of the Messiah as the prophets had foretold. Then he spoke of the Anointed One to come, the Deliverer, the Savior. The Sunrise, the Dayspring was coming down from heaven. This is not a reference to each day’s dawn but to the beginning of a new day, a new era ushered in by the Son of God dwelling among men (John 1:14). This light would shine in the darkness of our world and would not be quenched (John 1:5). Jesus would bring light to our world (John 1:12). He would shine the light on our depravity, and we would see our sinfulness and our deep need of a Savior because we are unable to perfectly keep God’s law. He would shine a light on the only path leading to peace with God (Psalm 119:105, John 14:6) which is surrendering all that I have and all that I am to Jesus. Then once we have that relationship with our Lord, we become lesser lights. As the moon reflects the sun, we reflect the Son; and Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15). We do not shine and sparkle as precious jewels to draw attention to ourselves but to magnify God’s glory and point others to Him.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.