By Dr. Robert C Crowder
Reading:
Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
John 1:4-9 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Reflection:
Isaiah prophesied to a people walking in darkness. The northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali had been the first to fall under Assyrian conquest, experiencing the horror of invasion, deportation, and occupation. Their land became a place of deep shadow and gloom. Yet Isaiah declared that this very region, despised and afflicted, would see a great light. God’s pattern is often to shine brightest where the darkness is deepest.
Matthew records that Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee, specifically in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet.”[1] The Light had come. John’s Gospel identifies this Light with precision: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is not merely a light among many lights, nor simply one who brings enlightenment. He is the Light; the source, the substance, the sum of all spiritual illumination. He is the true Light “which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
The world has known deep darkness since the fall of Adam. Sin brought spiritual blindness, moral confusion, and separation from God. Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). But grace was even more plentiful where sin was rampant. The darkness could not comprehend the Light, and the darkness could not extinguish it. Christ came into a world that rejected Him, yet His light continues to shine, piercing through the blackness of human depravity and offering hope to all who will receive Him.
Advent reminds us that the Light has already dawned. The victory is won. Yet many still sit in shadow; some in open rebellion, others in quiet despair, still others in religious blindness, believing they see when they are blind. Hope calls us not only to walk in the Light ourselves but to reflect that Light until He comes again. We are “the light of the world,”[2] only because we bear witness to the One who is the Light. Our lives should be so saturated with Christ that others see the glow and turn toward the source.
The same Jesus who brought light to Galilee still shines in dark places today. In seasons of grief, confusion, doubt, or sin, His light penetrates and reveals, convicts and comforts, exposes and heals. Wherever you find yourself today, the promise stands: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
Prayer:
- Ask the Light of the World to shine in you today, chasing away shadows of unbelief, fear, and sin.
- Pray that God would make you a faithful reflector of His glory so that others may see and believe.
Consider:
Light a candle at dinner tonight and read Isaiah 9:2 aloud with your family or household. Thank God together that His light still shines in the darkness—and that the darkness has never overcome it.
[1] Matthew 4:12–16
[2] Matthew 5:14
Robert C. Crowder Ministries 
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