The Light Comes in the Darkest of Times
The Bible says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4)
What constituted “the fullness of the time” that first Christmas? Darkness. It was the darkest of times. For perspective:
- The Romans had ruled with an iron fist for over 100 years; their tyrannical government controlled all economic, religious, and political matters. They could do whatever they wanted, when they wanted, wherever they wanted, to whomever they wanted.
- Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, was a de facto dictator who ruled with ruthless effectiveness.
- Augustus Caesar maintained autocratic authority by having the Senate grant him lifetime tenure as Supreme Military Commander, Tribune, and Censor.
- There was no voting. Taxes could be levied at any time. And 90% of the people under Roman occupation lived below the poverty line.
- One writer speaking of the times stated, “Poverty was commonplace, and the constant threat of famine and drought had taken its toll on the food supply.”
The fullness of times—the perfect time for Christ to come was the darkest of times on earth.
Today’s World is a Dark Place
- Domestically, inflation is soaring, with the greatest rise in inflation in over 30 years. Gas prices have doubled. Food supply chains have diminished.
- Despite the abundance of available jobs—ten million at last count, businesses can’t seem to find anyone to hire.
- The federal and state governments, under the direction of Dr. Fauci, have instituted business closures that have pulverized America’s middle class and engineered the largest transfer of wealth in human history. In 2020, workers lost $3.7 trillion, while billionaires gained $3.9 trillion. Some 493 individuals became new billionaires, and an additional eight million Americans dropped below the poverty line.
- The biggest winners in the shutdown are the “robber barons” of Big Technology, Big Data, Big Telecom, Big Finance, Big Media, and Silicon Valley. The average worker hasn’t seen a wage increase (adjusted to inflation) in over 30 years!
Ripe for Revival
But like that first Christmas, the deepest problems we face are not political, economic, or educational, but spiritual.
Jesus does His greatest work in the darkest of times! Jesus came on that first Christmas during dark times. Jesus comes this Christmas in the “fullness” of our times—the darkest of times in our nation.
John Wesley, the great English evangelist, having arrived in Newcastle, wrote in his journal in 1742, “I walked into the town. I was surprised: so much drunkenness, cursing and swearing…Surely this place is ripe for Christ to come.”
Ripe for revival? Ripe for a Kingdom of God revolution! It was Wesley’s view that the darker the times, the riper for revival!
This Christmas, Christ has come, the Light has come into our darkness!
- Jesus said: “‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
- John said: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
- John continues: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
- Jesus said to all of us: “‘You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:14-16)
We are ripe for harvest in 2022! Let us celebrate this Christmas season with the sober knowledge that it is truly in times of great darkness, that the Light of Christ shines the brightest. “He is the Light of the world.” But don’t forget, we as His disciples are also “the light of the world!”
Be the Light of the World,
Pastor Steve
