“And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—he says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’” (Isaiah 49:5-6)

It is one of the most familiar passages of Scripture. It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV) It speaks of God’s love for the world. From the beginning, God’s victory over sin was to be for all. In the promise of the Messiah, God desired to restore Judah and Israel back to Himself. The Messiah would also be a light to the whole world.

In one of the Servant Songs of Isaiah, he speaks of the birth of the Messiah and salvation’s reach to all people. While the virgin birth is not specifically described, the mission of the Messiah is put forth. God will again redeem the people of Judah and Israel. This mission was the reason the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, who would be an earthly father to the Messiah. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Jesus began His ministry to the people of Israel as one of their own.

In the prophecy of the Servant, He would also become a light to the Gentiles, everyone who was not a part of Israel. “This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: ‘I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.’” (Isaiah 42:5-7)

Jesus has come to bring God’s salvation to everyone. God promised Abraham “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:17-18) All the nations of the world will be blessed and will have the opportunity to receive God’s salvation through the one who has come, the Messiah, Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Our task as followers of the light of the world, Jesus Christ, is to be witnesses pointing to the light. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) When we walk with the Living Word daily, we are to let the light shine through our lives showing the way to salvation.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block