Isaiah 60:1-5 – Let our light shine for Jesus

In chapter 59 Isaiah prophesized the coming of the Redeemer and the hope He would bring. Then in Isaiah 60-61, we find the two most positive and hopeful chapters of this book. Here we see the transformation of Zion and the glorious things that would happen to Zion. If the Redeemer we surmised is the Lord Jesus Christ, then Zion without a doubt would be the church of Jesus Christ. We see this affirmed by the author of the letter to the Hebrews. He said in Hebrews 12:22-24 that believers of Christ Jesus by coming to the church “…have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,  to the general assembly and the church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant….”

While the description is of people returning from exile carrying the wealth of their captors to Zion, the scene pictures the church of Jesus Christ. In this Zion, Isaiah predicted blessings for those who dwell in her. Believers are called to greet the light of a new day. Here the glory of the Lord has risen anew. Though engulfed by the darkness that had affected the whole world, the coming of the Redeemer would gloriously change the condition and the experience of the people. What would be seen would be faithful believers reflecting the glory of God. The light of Christ will be seen reflected in the believers, referred to earlier as His offspring.

In verse 3 we are told that nations and kings would be attracted to the glorious light of the new Zion, the church. Believers of God would stream from all over. These believers referred to as sons and daughters would be lovingly, tenderly, and caringly nurtured and cherished. And joy and gladness would be the hallmark of Zion.

The church of Jesus Christ is called to reflect the glorious Light of Christ to dispel darkness. Jesus made it explicitly clear that we are the light of the world. We are to shine in darkness so that men may see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. What are we doing to reflect the light of Christ in our life? Let us shine for Jesus in all that we say and do!