THE SUNRISE
Neal Pollard
Neal Pollard
This morning's sunrise (pictured above) was an awesome sight, just one little reminder among a countless number of God's majesty and power. God's hand in nature is a comfort to us, but that He works such in splendor and beauty are benevolent extras from His gracious nature. Noah's rainbow was a covenant and sign, but the sunrise is one of many natural phenomena that God has applied to the appearance, work, or nature of His Son.
In Luke one, the Holy Spirit through the writer reveals Zacharias' prophesy about John's work as the harbinger of a Messiah who was about to appear to their generation. In part, Zacharias says, "For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (1:76b-79). Of ten New Testament occurrences, only here is anatole translated "dayspring" or "sunrise." The other nine occurrences, found in either Matthew, Luke, or Revelation, render it "east" (the place from which the sun rises each day).
Zacharias had not been able to speak since encountering the angel while performing his priestly duties in the temple (Luke 1:10). His mouth had been shut since the time Gabriel had told him that the son he had just learned he and Elizabeth would bear would be the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:19). Zacharias did not believe the revelation Gabriel gave to be true, and for this his lips were sealed until Elizabeth gave untimely birth. Zacharias was instructed to call their newborn "John" rather than name him after himself. That day, his lips were loosed and he prophesied about both John and Jesus.
Zacharias proclaimed Jesus "the Sunrise." Why? Jesus would pay mankind a visit, appearing as the sun that starts a brand new day. He would illuminate (cf. John 8:12), the way the morning sun dispels and chases away the darkness. He would bring peace, the way the coming of the day often chases away the fears and insecurities of the night. No more beautiful sunrise ever appeared than He who appeared in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. He brought endless peace and offers endless hope. Nothing is more beautiful!
In Luke one, the Holy Spirit through the writer reveals Zacharias' prophesy about John's work as the harbinger of a Messiah who was about to appear to their generation. In part, Zacharias says, "For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (1:76b-79). Of ten New Testament occurrences, only here is anatole translated "dayspring" or "sunrise." The other nine occurrences, found in either Matthew, Luke, or Revelation, render it "east" (the place from which the sun rises each day).
Zacharias had not been able to speak since encountering the angel while performing his priestly duties in the temple (Luke 1:10). His mouth had been shut since the time Gabriel had told him that the son he had just learned he and Elizabeth would bear would be the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:19). Zacharias did not believe the revelation Gabriel gave to be true, and for this his lips were sealed until Elizabeth gave untimely birth. Zacharias was instructed to call their newborn "John" rather than name him after himself. That day, his lips were loosed and he prophesied about both John and Jesus.
Zacharias proclaimed Jesus "the Sunrise." Why? Jesus would pay mankind a visit, appearing as the sun that starts a brand new day. He would illuminate (cf. John 8:12), the way the morning sun dispels and chases away the darkness. He would bring peace, the way the coming of the day often chases away the fears and insecurities of the night. No more beautiful sunrise ever appeared than He who appeared in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. He brought endless peace and offers endless hope. Nothing is more beautiful!
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