Rays Of Light

As children, we enjoyed playing with and learning about the properties of light through using its rays. A small, bright light in a dark room allowed us to make shadow puppets on the wall, using our hands. The magnifying glass opened up new worlds as we explored nature up close, and set little grass fires in the process! A turning kaleidoscope pointed to a light source revealed an ever-changing and colourful array of crystalline designs. Using simple microscopes in school science class, we learned how to focus the light to reveal the structure of cells in plants, and even in skin and blood.

The magnifying glass that we experienced growing up, focussing the sun's rays onto one spot, makes me think of how God's truth had appeared in an array of ways in the past, but converged into one pure, clear beam of light in the person of Jesus.

In the Old Testament, God spoke to His people in a variety of ways: through parables and stories of great battles and human migration, through prophets standing up to the people and rulers with unpopular messages, through miracles performed before astounded onlookers, and through the poetry of the Psalms and the wise advice of the Proverbs. It's as if each of these revelations of God's love, mercy, and justice were like rays of light, performing different tasks, appearing in mysterious ways, and reaching His people to tell them about His plan of salvation.

Hebrews 1:1-2 – God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. (NASB)

After many centuries of various signs and revelations, God then sent His Son, the firstborn and the maker of creation, to us on earth, not only to speak messages from God, but also to be the Word, the message itself. In Jesus, all the rays of light and wisdom were joined together to become one pure ray of energy, shining in the darkness and revealing God's love, mercy, and plan of salvation.

The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke out to Christians like us who are weary and discouraged, and who need encouragement to find strength in the Lord Jesus, knowing how He was greater than any prophet or priest, and was indeed the maker of the world.

When you next marvel at sunlight dancing in and out of the clouds, sparkling off a blue, wind-ruffled lake, or glancing off a window pane, think of the ways that our Lord God revealed Himself in the Scriptures, and now, in these last days, has fully revealed Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You for the many ways that You have revealed Yourself to Your people in days past, but now, You have spoken to us in Your Son, Jesus. We praise You that He is Your heir, Your firstborn, the Creator of our marvellous world, and the provider of our salvation. May we look to His light when we feel discouraged and beaten, and find victory and joy in Him. Amen.

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