“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

Matthew 4:16

(spoken from the prophet Isaiah)

“the people dwelling in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

on them a light has dawned.”

Completely in awe of this verse…For starters, it has nothing to do with you and me but everything to do with God’s providence and mercy…

• Those that are without Christ, are in darkness itself; as the darkness that was upon the face of the deep...Gen.1:2 ~ “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” 

This is the same face that hovered over your own life...By his power, transfused the Holy Spirit into your own heart that was void. 

  

• They were in the region and shadow of death…Which denotes not only great darkness, as the grave is a land of darkness, but great danger. A man that is desperately sick, and not likely to recover, is in the valley of the shadow of death, though not quite dead.  The poor people were on the borders of damnation, though not yet damned-dead in law. And, which is worst of all, they were sitting in this condition!  They chose to stay there…They were in the dark and despairing to find the way out. But, choosing to stay in this contented posture, they loved darkness.  They chose it rather than light, and were willingly ignorant.

Three important things to note:

1. It is just with God, to take the gospel and the means of grace from those that slight them, and thrust them away.  Christ will not stay long where he is not welcome.
2. If some reject Christ, yet others will receive him, and bid him welcome.
3. When the gospel comes, light comes; when it comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it makes day there, Jn. 3:19; Lu. 1:78, 79. Light is discovering, it is directing; so is the gospel!

• It is a great light denoting the clearness and evidence of gospel-revelations, not like the light of a candle, but the light of the sun when he goes forth in his strength…Great in comparison with the light of the law, the shadows of which were now done away. It is a great light, for it discovers great things and of vast consequence; it will last long, and spread far.  And it is a growing light, intimated in that word, It is sprung up.  It was but spring of day with them; now the day dawned, which afterward shone more and more.  The gospel-kingdom, like a grain of mustard-seed or the morning light, was small in its beginnings, gradual in its growth, but great in its perfection…

• Observe that the light sprang up to them…They did not go to seek it, but were prevented with the blessings of this goodness!  It came upon  the time appointed, by the disposal of him who commandeth the morning, and causes the day-spring to know its place, that it may take hold of the ends of the earth. Job 38:12, 13.

The Gospel is such good news for those who live in hopelessness…We have a savior, he is the Sun, and his name is Jesus… Even the moon and stars are lost when the sun rises!

We rejoice and celebrate this freedom with others. Those who have experienced this kind of love and grace, want to be transporters of this light.  This is shone in our marriages, homes, neighborhoods and workplace…We run and bask in the light, even when we fall.  

Are you ready to take a small step of faith, to lead you to the light?  Today is your invitation!

Matt. 5:14-16  ~ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

(Matthew Henry's Commentary)