Minister's message: A great light

- by Mary Anne Grand, Raymore United Church

January 29, 2026

key points from this story:

• Jesus is the light in darkness
• Isaiah and Matthew share the message
• Darkness still exists in modern life
• Light offers hope and renewal
• Faith and patience lead to healing
• Believers reflect Christ’s light today

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: Isaiah 9:2 and Matthew 4:16, the lectionaries for the third Sunday in Epiphany. It is sometimes used in Candlelight services on Christmas Eve when celebrating the birth of Jesus. We see that the light does not only show itself through a baby in the manger, but that the child has grown up, and is now going through Galilee, proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven has come near, and inviting those that he encounters to follow him. We might wonder sometimes, where this light is to be found today because there is still darkness in our world. There are still wars raging, still shootings, still hatred and division. There is still far too many people living in hunger, poverty, and homelessness. There is still darkness in our world. Even in our personal lives, we still face darkness. It might be a health concern for ourselves or a loved one, it might be financial concerns, it might be the crisis in our world. There is still darkness in our world and we need to acknowledge that.

The prophet, Isaiah was not afraid to acknowledge the darkness in his world. He admits to living in a time of deep darkness, as he himself describes it. A time when Israel was split in two by civil war and his own country of Judah was strong and wealthy, but had grown complacent. Fast forward 800 years after Isaiah, Jesus came into a world that was still filled with darkness. Matthew 4:12 begins with the news that John the Baptist has been arrested, after this Jesus withdraws to Galilee and continues proclaiming what John had started; repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

Darkness filled Jesus’ world, just as it filled Isaiah’s as well as ours. But darkness is why the light matters. If there is no darkness, then we don’t need light. So if we refuse to acknowledge the darkness, then we see no need for the light, and we have no reason for hope. But there is reason for hope, and reason for joy. Because we who walk in darkness have seen a great light. That great light has a name: Jesus, God’s Son, our Saviour, the light of the world.

Into our darkness, our turmoil, conflict, chaos and despair, comes a great light. Jesus shines in that darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. Jesus’ time on earth gave us a glimpse of this light, and his presence on earth meant that the kingdom of heaven had come near. As Jesus traveled throughout Galilee with his disciples, he taught love, respect, kindness, and faithfulness. Our world today is shadowed with darkness and needs a path to healing. This takes time, patience and persistence and the willingness to keep learning and walking the path Jesus taught. It is when we are reflecting the gifts Jesus taught us, that our world begins to heal. And God knows we need it!

We give thanks for this light who went around Galilee teaching, proclaiming, healing and inviting others to follow. We give thanks for all those who have let their light shine before us, who brought us into the light of Christ, and who helped us to put our hope in the light of Christ. Amen.