Men of the LightNäide

Proclaiming Salvation

Years ago, I had a family member with a heart issue. The issue arose from noticing certain symptoms, which prompted a doctor’s visit, followed by tests, ultimately leading to a diagnosis, and thankfully, a solution: a medical procedure that would resolve the issue permanently.

Years later, this family member is doing just fine.

Early on, it was scary; what was wrong? Was it dangerous? Would the road to recovery be a difficult one? Was there even a road to recovery?

Thankfully, all worked out well. Those dark days of waiting and confusion were illuminated by answers that brought about healing, by the grace of God.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, we are reminding ourselves that Light was coming into our dark and lost world.

One way Jesus shone His light was through the salvation He came to bring.

The Psalmist knew of God’s salvation from his present circumstances, but also got a glimpse of God’s bigger picture, declaring, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1).

Yes—exactly that. The LORD is our light and our salvation. Jesus came to bring both, and they go together.

When we were lost in our sin, cut off from God, chained by the devil, and destined for death, God in His mercy sent Christ into the world.

We had symptoms: hopelessness and despair.

We had a diagnosis: sin, which devastates Creation and ultimately leads to death.

And yet, even in the darkness of that diagnosis, God had an illuminating solution:

Christ would come to the world and solve the problem of our sin and death once and for all on the Cross (2 Timothy 1:9-10).

In the birth of Jesus, the light of our salvation arrived.

Men of the Light lean hard into both sides of this coin: we take seriously the problem of our sin, acknowledging and confessing it to God. But we also take seriously the blessing of our salvation, receiving it as the gift it is and thankfully praising God for it all the days of our lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the light of Your salvation! I won’t ask for anything today, but simply praise You for who You are and what You have done for me and for this world that You love! Amen.

Reflection: Take some time today to simply meditate on the Cross of Christ—what happened, why it happened, and what it did for you.