Bible Studies
The Sunrise from on High (Lk. 1:67-79)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, in this text summarizes the plan of God and speaks of the coming of God (Christ). 2. In verse 78 he says, “The Sunrise from on high will visit us.” 3. This is most likely an allusion to Mal. 4:2 which, in a Messianic context, refers to “the sun of righteousness rising with healing in its wings.” 4. We may speak of a new era coming and refer to it as “a new day dawning.” Probably a similar concept is in Zacharias’ mind as he refers to “the Sunrise from on high visiting us.” 5. Indeed the theme of light is very prominent in Scripture. From God’s statement in the beginning “let there be light,” to the lampstand in the tabernacle and the temple, and finally in Revelation the new Jerusalem is said to have no need of the sun or of the moon, “for the glory if God illumines it and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:23). 6. In this study I want to survey the concept of light particularly as it relates to Jesus as light of the world.Discussion:
I. Zacharias says that this Sun will “shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk. 1:79).A. Isaiah (chapter 9) had used similar language during the days of the kingdom of Judah.
B. He looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (9:2).
C. In Isa. 59:9-10 he said, “We hope for light, but behold darkness, for brightness, but we walk in gloom. We grope along the wall like blind men, we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at midday as in the twilight, among those who are vigorous we are like dead men.”
1. You may recall that Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (1:1). It was a period anticipating the Babylonian Captivity.
2. Ezekiel also wrote of the captivity and reflected on how they saw themselves as dead men (Ezek. 37).
3. Isa. 59 connects the concepts of death, blindness and darkness.
D. Zacharias’ prophecy sees something different—the Sun. It causes the darkness to vanish. Out of the shadow of death there is hope, a guide for our feet into way of peace (another way of saying, “We can see and we can walk without stumbling.”).
E. Zacharias sees it occurring as part of the unfolding plan of God to “visit us.”
1. Note v. 68.
2. It is the expected visit to bring redemption.
3. It’s royal aspect is seen in raising up the horn of salvation in the house of David (v. 69).
4. It was prophesied (v. 70).
5. Part of His covenant (v. 72).
6. Promised through Abraham (v. 73).
7. Zacharias’ son, John, would prepare His way (v. 76).
8. The mercy of God was bringing forgiveness (v. 77b-78),
9. History was reaching its apex in Jesus. The Sun was coming up.
F. Simeon’s statement at the temple when Jesus was presented for circumcision dovetailed with Zacharias’ prophecy and multiple prophecies in Isaiah (Lk. 2:32).
1. Simeon said of Him, “a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.”
2. Cf. Isa. 9:2; 42:6; 49:6, 9; 51:4; 60:1-3.
II. The association of Jesus with light became even more striking when He proclaimed Himself “the Light of the world” (Jn. 8:12).A. Interestingly, he speaks of those who would follow Him as “not walking in the darkness, but having the Light of life.”
1. Note His connections with walking, darkness and life. Cf. with Zacharias’ and Isaiah’s similar connections.
2. Zacharias said those who sit in darkness--their feet will be guided into the way.
3. Isaiah had spoken of looking for light but being in darkness, blind and like dead men.
B. The gospel of John has much to say about light in relation to Jesus.
1. John 1:4-9: “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through Him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which coming into the world, enlightens every man.” Life, Light and Enlightenment are again presented in tandem in association with Jesus.
2. John presents Nicodemus as coming to Jesus at night (3:19-21).
a. There is a problem with some not wanting the light.
b. “The Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God” (3:19-21).
3. John’s presentation of Jesus as the Light in chapters 8-9-10-11 is impressive.
a. In chapter 8 He claims to be the light of the world and defines Himself as come from God.
b. In chapter 9 Jesus heals the man born blind—proving His power of to give enlightenment. In vs. 39 Jesus said, “I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see and those who see may become blind.”
c. In chapter 10 at the Feast of Lights (of Dedication, Hanukkah) he is questioned about being the Christ. He presents Himself as one with the Father. The Jews would stone him for blasphemy making himself God. Zacharias had prophesied about God visiting us.
d. In chapter 11 He raises Lazarus, but before that John records a statement of Jesus. Lazarus is in Bethany Jesus is away beyond the Jordan. The disciples seem confused that he would go back when the Jews were trying to kill him. Jesus says, “If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” Is he saying to the disciples “You don’t see what I see?” They were focused on security. He saw something more—the glory of God. John presents Jesus as not only seeing but giving Life.
e. All of our themes—Life, Light, Enlightenment are all captured in this one section of John’s gospel.
f. In Jn. 12:35-36 Jesus says, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” But some eyes were blinded (12:40; cf. Isa. 6:10).
III. This theme of light is found elsewhere in the N.T.A. In Matt. 4:12-17 upon hearing that John the Baptist had been taken captive. Jesus settled in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. Matthew says he did this to fulfill Isa. 9:1. “Upon them,” Matthew says, “a light dawned.” And it was “from this time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
B. In Acts 13:47 Paul turned to the Gentiles saying, “For so the Lord commanded us, ‘I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’” Cf. Isa. 42:6; 49:6.
C. Paul said “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel. The God who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4-6).
D. He described believers as “sons of light” (1 Thess. 5:5).
E. Peter said, “We have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts (2 Pet. 1:19).
F. First John.
1. Says that God is light and we must walk in the light (1:5-7; cf. Eph. 5:8-9) — stresses relational aspect.
2. Walk in light we love our brother (1 Jn. 2:8-11)—stresses behavioral aspect.
3. Leads to glorification of God (Matt. 5:14-15)—stresses effectual aspect.
G. In Rev. 22:16 Jesus says, “I am the root and the descendent of David, the bright morning star.”
Conclusion:
1. There are other areas that could be considered: the lampstand in the temple, the statement: “having eyes to see they do not see.” 2. The coming of Jesus marked the dawning of a new day. 3. It was planned by God. 4. He brings light to those in darkness. He brings sight to those who are blind. He enlightens us so that we can walk. 5. When we walk in the light we are cleansed from our sins and shine a light for others to see that brings glory to God. 6. Would you place your trust in “The Light of the World?”
