The Light Has Dawned

Based on Matthew 4:16, this devotional focuses on the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus' birth. Let this episode be a reminder to you that no matter how dark the world may seem, hope is found in Jesus, the light of the world!

Gospel in the Air is a podcast ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church. We are located in Maui, Hawaii, USA. Our number is (808) 463-8859. You can also visit our website at www.cornerstonemaui.org or you can send your email to danibanggo@gmail.com.

Transcript

Episode 35

The Light Has Dawned

Matthew 4:16

Warm Christmas wishes to you from the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii, “Mele Kalikimaka!” I hope you’re having a wonderful day. I welcome you to join me for a short devotional as we reflect on the birth of Jesus, our Savior. My wish is that, as you hear the Christmas story, you’ll find encouragement, be challenged, and experience transformation. May His words bring you blessings and a deep sense of purpose.

Today’s devotional scripture comes from Matthew 4:16. Let me share this verse with you.

16 The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matt. 4:16).

As I drove through the city, a warm joy filled my heart—not just from the cold, comforting air of the season, but also from the nostalgic charm of twinkling lights everywhere, announcing the arrival of the Messiah. As the song says, this truly is “the most wonderful time of the year!” Each year, we transform our home with a festive Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments of various sizes and sparkling lights, making Christmas an especially memorable and joyful season. 

One of the most anticipated moments for our family is gathering around the tree to open the presents waiting underneath. The excitement is palpable as we all look forward to coming together on Christmas Eve to share laughter and joy. Although we’ll miss some members who are no longer with us, the time we spent together remains special. 

At work, we also embraced the holiday spirit by exchanging gifts through a Secret Santa draw. The experience was filled with excitement and delight as we all reacted with surprise and happiness upon seeing our gifts. While these earthly presents bring joy and excitement, there is an even greater gift the world has received—the gift of Jesus, born in a manger on Christmas. 

Reflecting on the story of humanity’s creation in Genesis, it’s clear that after Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, humanity became separated from God and that relationship was broken. As a result of this sin, death entered the world. It affected everyone (Romans 5:12). From the moment of our birth, we are spiritually sick due to our sinful nature, and nothing we do on our own can fix this hopeless situation. The Psalmist confirms this reality, not because the act of conception itself is sinful but because we inherit a sinful nature from our parents (Psalm 55:5). This is why God provided a way for us to be restored to Him—so we could be redeemed from our fallen state and experience His salvation. God’s desire is for us to be healed from our corrupt nature and freed from the grip of sin. 

From the moment a child enters the world, he is spiritually sick and in urgent need of a divine healer. God promised to send a Savior who would deliver him from the consequences of sin (Genesis 3:15). Later, God called Abraham to become the father of His chosen people (Genesis 12:1-3). Through Abraham, God made a covenant, offering humanity a chance to be restored to its original standing in the Garden of Eden. God pledged to Abraham that every nation on earth would be blessed through him (Genesis 22:16-18). 

Even in mankind’s fallen state, God outlined His plan of redemption by selecting the Hebrew nation—specifically, the tribe of Judah—as the lineage from which a ruler would arise to fulfill this mission (Genesis 49:10). This ruler would come from the family of King David, whose reign would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:8-16). Centuries later, the prophet Isaiah affirmed that God would choose a virgin who would bear the promised Savior, saying, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. For to us a child is born,to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). 

In his humanity, Jesus experienced the same things we all do. He spent nine months developing in Mary’s womb, and Mary herself went through the usual process of pregnancy, just like any other mother. Neither Jesus nor Mary was spared from the everyday experiences of life. What set this birth apart, however, was that Jesus entered the world in a humble stable (Phil. 2:7). It’s hard to imagine the Son of God being born in a place meant for animals! If the innkeeper had realized who Mary was carrying, he surely would have offered them the finest accommodations fit for a king. Instead, they had to settle for a small space among animals (Luke 2:7).

Even though Jesus entered the world in such a humble way, it does not alter His identity as the Son of God. Because the Holy Spirit conceived him, God is His Father (Luke 1:35). The incarnation—God becoming human—was a divine act. Scripture makes it clear that Mary and Joseph did not have marital relations before Jesus was born (Matthew 1:25), highlighting the importance of the virgin birth and showing that Jesus was not conceived through ordinary means. Jesus is far more than just a human being; He is also entirely God. As God, He was completely free from sin and did not inherit a sinful nature. He remained sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). 

It is humbling to realize the boundless grace and compassion of our loving God. Mary would not have been able to conceive the Child—even with Joseph’s help—without the miraculous intervention of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, our salvation is entirely the work of God, even though He chose to bring it about through human means (2 Corinthians 4:7). God possesses limitless power and reigns supreme over everything. There is nothing beyond His ability. The incarnation of Jesus Christ was made possible by the might of the Almighty. He can grant children to those who are barren or well beyond their childbearing years, as seen in the births of Isaac, Samuel, and John the Baptist. Suppose anyone doubts whether Jesus’ birth could happen. In that case, we can point to the question God posed to Abraham and Sarah regarding Isaac’s birth in their old age: “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). The miracle of the virgin birth demonstrates that nothing is beyond God's power. He makes it possible for anyone who chooses to turn away from their sins to be rescued from eternal separation from Him. As Jesus declared, “What is impossible for people is possible with God” (Matthew 19:26). 

Jesus’ birth was foretold long ago in the Old Testament, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2). Augustus Caesar was not aware that his decree was God’s means to fulfill the prophecy of Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph were part of a group journeying together to meet the census requirements. Imagine what they must have gone through—especially Mary, who was nine months pregnant and had just journeyed seventy miles over a difficult, dusty road. There’s no mention that she ever complained or was anxious about her situation, even though she was about to give birth with no place to stay and no midwife to help. She may have felt uncertain or bewildered, but she remained strikingly calm and at peace. Her faith made her strong in believing that God was in control when she boldly declared to the angel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Lk. 1:38 KJV).

Although Rome was experiencing its Golden Age and the era of Pax Romana, true peace was lacking when Jesus was born. He entered a world shrouded in darkness, where spiritual understanding had faded, and people had drifted far from God, with no direct messages from prophets for nearly 400 years since Malachi. Isaiah’s words fit this situation well: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). In fact, Malachi criticized them for straying from God's ways, no longer following His commands. They had become selfish, greedy, disobedient, deceitful, oppressive, adulterous, unjust, and showed no reverence for God. Some even turned to sorcery (3:5ff.).

On top of everything else, the Jewish people had never known true, lasting peace in their homeland since returning from exile. They were repeatedly subjugated—first by the Persians, then the Greeks, Egyptians, and Syrians, who defiled the temple, and finally by the Romans, who also desecrated it. Each conqueror kept them under oppressive control. The Roman Empire, in particular, ruled with ruthless cruelty, imposing steep taxes and using the threat of crucifixion to crush any hint of rebellion. Their suffering was made worse by local collaborators who, with harsh authority, betrayed their own people and added to their misery. As a result, the Jews lived in a state of ongoing fear and anxiety.

Their only hope was the coming Messiah, who would arrive as a mighty warrior-king to liberate them from Roman oppression. God’s people were waiting for their liberation, when there will be no more fear or violence, but peace and happiness will prevail. Only the Messiah could do this.    

Jesus is born

And then the Messiah was born. His name is Jesus, otherwise known as Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). He has the title as “The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). But this is not the kind of peace that the world could offer. We are not talking about the peace being proposed to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, or between Israel and Hamas, or between China and Taiwan. This is not the kind of peace that comes from our human standpoint, but from God, from heaven.  This is the peace that we experience in times of trouble and difficulty. The peace that Jesus brings, which “transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds” (Phil. 4:7).   

 At one point, the disciples found themselves terrified when an unexpected, violent storm hit, nearly overwhelming their boat (Matt. 8:23-27). Soaked to the bone and shivering from the cold, they strained desperately at the oars, fighting against powerful winds and towering waves. Despite doing everything they could think of to save themselves, it became clear that their efforts weren’t enough; they were on the verge of sinking. With no other options left and just as they were about to lose hope, they all looked to Jesus and, without hesitation, called out to him for help: “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

In like manner, we are also in a world faced with many challenges and storms of life. But God oversees every aspect of our lives, guiding and caring for us because He knows what we truly need (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even when unexpected challenges arise, He tells us not to lose heart or become discouraged. Remember, Jesus is right there with us, sharing our journey. Trust in Him; regardless of how intense the storm may seem, the Lord has the power to calm it with just a word, bringing peace and reassurance for our benefit.

Jesus is speaking to you today. The same question He posed to the apostles in their moments of fear and anxiety is the question He asks you now: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not trust me?” The Lord is unfailingly faithful and kind to those who rely on Him. Words cannot fully capture the depth of His mercy and love. God is always attentive and caring toward all His children. He encourages you not to be afraid, but to rely on Him completely and look past your current struggles and needs, because He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7). He knows what you need. He understands your heart’s longings. He knows what is best for you. So don’t let discouragement, disappointment, or fear overwhelm you. Don’t give up. Keep pressing forward, even if the challenges seem daunting. Focus your heart and mind on His promises, because the Lord is right there beside you, giving you peace because “He himself is our peace” (Eph. 2:14).

Jesus as the light

Before Jesus was born, God’s people were living in the dark under the oppressive rule of the Roman authority. There was a profound spiritual, political, and social oppression. Roman authorities were cruel; Jewish collaborators such as King Herod the Great (who maintained the Herodian dynasty with his two sons, Herod Antipas, ruling Galilee and Perea, and Herod Archelaus, ruling Judea) and other local leaders, including the priestly aristocracy, were corrupt; and people suffered economically.  When Jesus was born, the maniacal king Herod the Great decreed the murder of every child two years old and below for political gain, making sure that he would stay in power as long as he lasted. Indeed, the Jewish world was in total darkness. Because of this impenetrable darkness, many did not notice the arrival of the Messiah. Their eyes were blinded by ignorance and unbelief. This illustrates how wicked the world was. Paul, in his writing, reminded the early Christians in Ephesus that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This is what he wrote in Eph. 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Then Jesus arrived and illuminated the darkness with His light (Jn. 1:5). Yet, many did not accept him because they preferred their evil ways (Jn 3:19). Jesus declared Himself as the light of the world, saying, “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). The only means to depart from darkness or evil is to come to Jesus, who is the light. “God rescued us,” said Paul, “from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). 

Into life

The birth of Jesus, our Messiah, begins in darkness, waiting in anticipation for the light that is on its way. We live in a world filled with darkness, but we hold onto the hope that light will ultimately triumph, bringing a new beginning and fresh hope. That’s why we celebrate Christmas by lighting candles, decorating Christmas trees, and hanging lanterns, symbolizing the arrival of hope and the promise of a brighter future. Truly, God’s light has come, though its fullness awaits the time when God will ultimately renew all things (Acts 3:21). This Christmas, it is our turn to let our light shine like bright stars in the sky (Phil. 2:15), so that others know that Jesus is the reason for this season. 

I remember an event with Helen, my wife, way back in the Philippines, when we were still engaged in our family business. We ventured into the distributorship and supplied products to a chain of stores. And it took us days, even a week, and very tiring hours on the road. While driving at night, I always got irritated with the oncoming cars with high beams. This gave me the idea to install accessory LED lights to match the high beams. I went to a car shop and had it done. That night, we decided to take the diversion road because it was a shortcut and not many cars used it. I was delighted with the brightness of my new headlights. It was a flood of light that could blind anyone with high beams! (I said to myself.) Fortunately, we didn't meet any cars along the way. Then the unexpected happened: the car suddenly died in the middle of the road. I tried to crank it many times, but it would not start. I figured out where we were, but I couldn't because it was very dark outside and there were no houses, except for the sound of a stream nearby. I realized we were in the middle of a forest in a mountainous area. It was only then that I realized my wrong motive for having those LED lights. I humbled myself before God and asked Helen to join me in prayer. 

Are you still living in a dark world despite having known Jesus Christ in your life? What is your motive for living the kind of life you have right now? What makes you compromise your faith rather than turn to Jesus and obey him wholeheartedly?

• This Christmas, is there room for Jesus in your life? 
• Are you busy with the cares of this life that you do not have time anymore to commune with Him?
• Who is Jesus to you?

The apostle Luke resoundingly echoes the truth about Jesus saying, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord!” (Lk. 2:11).

I hope today’s message has been a blessing to you. Please continue to listen and share this message with your loved ones. May you find strength and encouragement as you walk in faith. Thank you for giving me the privilege of your time. This is your host, brother Dani Marantan Banggo, encouraging you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Mahalo!