I was reading the Christmas story this Christmas morning,
and these words grabbed my attention. They come from a part of the Christmas
story that does not receive as much emphasis. About three months before Jesus
was born, John the Baptist was born. And shortly after his birth, the Holy Spirit
inspired Zechariah, John’s father, to speak these words:
“to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of
death” (Luke 1:79).
Here, the father of John the Baptist prophetically spoke
not of his own son’s future ministry, but of the future work and ministry of
Jesus Christ.
Zechariah foretold that Jesus would give us “knowledge of
salvation through the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 1:77). He then went on to
paint a picture of what this salvation would do for us. It would shine light on
us who live in the dark shadow created by death.
When Adam and Eve sinned, God acted to prevent the terrible
possibility of people living forever in a fallen state (Genesis 3:22). Ever
since then, apart from the gospel, people live their whole lives in the shadow
of death. Death might come suddenly, violently, and unexpectedly like it did
when Abel was murdered. Or it might come after living a long life like it did
for Adam. But death always come. It is relentless. The end of the story of all
the Old Testament heroes, patriarchs, and kings (good or bad) is that they die.
And until Jesus returns that will be the end of the story for every family
member you love, friend you enjoy, and stranger that you pass on the street. We
all live in the shadow of death. It is the wages of our sin (Romans 6:23).
But at just the right time, while we were still helpless
(Romans 5:6), Jesus came and changed our story. He died for our sins. Through
the gospel He shines a bright light revealing that because of Him death no
longer has to be the end of our story. When we trust in Christ, we regain what humanity
lost: immortality. Our immortality in Christ will be complete when we are
resurrected with new bodies that will no longer be subject to decay and death. Our
bodies will be transformed to be like His resurrection body. Paul says it
better than I ever could. I pray that as you read these words, they will deeply
shape the way you think:
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
This
has now been made evident
through the appearing of our Savior Christ
Jesus,
who
has abolished death
and
has brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel.
(2
Tim. 1:9-10 CSB17)
Some other material (blog posts and YouTube videos) related
to Christmas:
Two more blog posts, one about immortality and one about
our resurrection bodies:
