The Coming of the Light of the World Part 3 of 10
“God says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light to the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth’ “ (Isaiah 49:6).
I wonder why “You” and “My Servant” are capitalized in my Bible. Do the translators know something about what is coming? Or, more importantly, Who is coming?
“Then Simeon took Jesus into his arms, and blessed God, and said, ‘Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, “A light of revelation to the Gentiles,” and the glory of Your people Israel’ “ (Luke 2:28-32)
When Jesus was presented at the Temple as a baby, God’s servant Simeon recognized Him as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 49.
“Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. But since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, “I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.” ‘ When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:46-48).
Later, in the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas proclaimed Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 49. And proclaiming Jesus as the Light beyond just the Jews – the Light to the nations – led many Gentiles to glorify God and believe the gospel.
Jesus is the Light of Isaiah chapter 49 because Jesus is the Light of the world!