"Come, Christ The Light!"
December 26, 2008
Acts 7:55-56 - But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
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We have all heard of the phrase: "the light at the end of the tunnel." Sometimes, it refers to the conclusion of something difficult. At other times, it might be used concerning a near-death experience. For Stephen both meanings rang true. As Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, finished his testimony to the same court that condemned Jesus to death, he gazed into the heavens and saw with vivid clarity the Lord Jesus Christ enthroned in glory. As the Jewish court was about to mob and stone him, Stephen was graciously granted a vision of Christ, the light of the world, and knew that soon he would be with Him. Through the same Holy Spirit, we too are graciously granted a vision of Christ the light. Though now we suffer many things in this world, the Holy Spirit gives us the eyes of faith to see our Lord as He comes to us through His Word and Sacraments. As Jesus comes to us now, He gives us strength, comfort, hope, and peace.
But there is more! Jesus is the light at the end of the tunnel of time. On the last day, the Lord Jesus will come again in the light of all His glory. When He returns, He will raise Stephen and all the faithful who have died to new life. Then will our strength, comfort, hope, and peace be confirmed as we dwell forever with Christ in His new creation!
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, light of the world, that You have come in humility, that You continue to come in Word and Sacrament and that You will one day come again in all Your glory. Amen.
Written by Pastor Eric Edwards
Christ the Life Lutheran Church
Waukesha, Wisconsin
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