Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Jesus, Light, and Immortality



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)


Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .

Some other material (blog posts and YouTube videos) related to Christmas:









Two more blog posts, one about immortality and one about our resurrection bodies:




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