December 22, 2002

What Do You Do When The Lights Go Out?

Isaiah 9:1-7 (NRSV)

INTRODUCTION

It was our first night in the new parsonage. The November sky was filled with heavy clouds which prevented any moonlight or starlight from breaking through the shutters on our sliding glass door. It was as dark a night as I can ever recall. Cheryl had claimed her side of the bed – the one with easiest access to the bathroom, and I joyfully claimed my side of the bed. After a day of unloading and unpacking, we fell asleep, exhausted, but content in our new home.

As sometimes happens to middle aged men, I was awakened in the middle of the night and stumbled my way to the bathroom. After answering nature’s call, I had to navigate myself back to our queen size bed with the pencil posts on each corner. Completely disoriented by the darkness, and knowing the dangers of oncoming pencil posts, I put my hands out in front of me to stop any danger before it happened.

The deep thud shook the bed and woke Cheryl from a heavy sleep. She cried out, “What was that?” “That, dear, was the sound of the bedpost making contact with my forehead.” You see, the one thing I forgot to do when I extended my arms was to also cross them. My extended arms had reached out on either side of the bedpost, leaving my unprotected forehead open for a direct hit. Thankfully my injuries were not severe, and we both had a good laugh in the middle of a dark, dark night.

Darkness can be a dangerous, disorienting experience – and sometimes it can be deadly!

SITUATION

The prophet Isaiah was called to speak to a people walking in darkness. Listen to the sorry condition of the people of Israel described in chapter 1: They are rebellious (v. 2); they do not know their true Lord (v. 3); they are sinful and laden with iniquity; they are evildoing children who deal corruptly; they have forsaken the LORD, despised the Holy One of Israel; and they are utterly estranged (v. 4). Isaiah’s diagnosis of his people’s condition: “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.”

These were dark days in the land of Israel…days of sin, danger from enemies, and judgment from God. It is a time of gloom and doom. Isaiah looks at his land and concludes “only darkness and distress, and the light grows dark with clouds.” (5:30)
What do you do when the lights go out? I remember being at the office one afternoon and the phone rang. It was Cheryl on the other end of the line. She was working down in the basement when a power outage took out all the electricity in the neighborhood – and left Cheryl alone in the dark. She was paralyzed with fear and begged me to come home. Darkness can have a paralyzing effect!

What do you do when the lights go out? When my sons were very small, they were afraid of the dark and would cry out for Mom or Dad to come near. But adults can also be terrified by the darkness. My wife has an aunt who regularly finds refuge under her bed when the lights go out in the middle of a thunderstorm. Darkness can have a terrifying effect!

The Bible uses the image of darkness to describe the realm of chaos, crippling fear, and uncertainty. Darkness is a metaphor for death, the dreadful, and the demonic. Darkness is the picture we are given of the cosmos before that first day of creation: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep. (Gen 1:1-2).

COMPLICATION

Now, Israel finds herself stumbling in the dark – under the rule of the dreaded Assyrians. The Assyrians were known to be a cruel and ruthless people. Assyria had conquered and annexed the Northern Kingdom of Israel and held the Southern Kingdom of Judah as a vassal state. These were dark times for God’s people – held in bondage by an enemy that was powerful and evil. How could such a thing happen to the chosen people of God?

Isaiah’s answer to that question is telling: Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. The look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom, they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. (Isa 3:8-9)

Darkness is the realm where sin reigns. And if the prophet Isaiah has a mission in these first chapters of his book, it is to convince the people of God that their devastating situation is a result of their own wicked, wayward ways. God planted them as a vineyard and expected a harvest of good fruit. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry. (Isa 5:7)

It is bad enough to live in the darkness. It is even worse when it is a darkness of your own making! This is surely a recipe for despair – we are in a hopeless situation – and we are the reason we are in a hopeless situation. We got ourselves into this mess – and we can’t seem to get ourselves out of it!

So the most important question becomes: Is there a way out of this darkness?

RESOLUTION

There really is only one cure for darkness – and that is light. Light always drives away the darkness. Light always overcomes. It was light that broke the darkness of creation, when the voice of God uttered the words, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

It is the promise of light that gives hope to Isaiah’s message of gloom and doom. We may be facing the darkest hour now, but daybreak is coming. Hear the good news of Isaiah 9:2 and 6 - The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined…For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.

The birth of a child is the dawning of a new day – but not just any child. This is the promise of a ruler from God – authority rests upon his shoulders – endless peace for the throne of David – a kingdom established and upheld in justice and righteousness forever. What a promise – the whole world breaks out in song!

(Choir and orchestra sing a line from “For unto us a Child is Born” from Handel’s Messiah).

And, according to John the Beloved Apostle, this child is the Word that was from the beginning – the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In him was life and the life was the light of all people. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

The gift of Christmas is the gift of light – light in a world full of darkness. This is why we light the Advent candles – to remind us that the Light of the world has come. This is why we decorate trees, homes, and offices with lights – the darkness has been overcome. Jesus is the Light of the world – and his coming to our world breaks forever the chains of darkness and death.

Notice the names of this promised child in verse 6. He is named Wonderful Counselor – for those of us who confused and stumbling in the darkness – this child is the miraculous gift of God who comes to advise us in the ways of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

He is named Mighty God – for those of us who are hopelessly trapped by the powers of darkness – disease, drugs, depression, or any other deep bondage – this child is a warrior who possesses divine power, prevailing against all those forces that would hold us down. He is able to deliver you.

He is named Everlasting Father – for those of us who shiver and cry out in loneliness – feeling that we have been forsaken by all, including God – this child is more than a friend; he is joined to us in eternal love as a father or mother loves their child and will never let them go. He will never leave you or forsake you.

He is named Prince of Peace – for those of us who are paralyzed by anxiety and fear, filled with doubts and worries about the future – this child is God’s gift of peace, shalom, wholeness; he fortresses our troubled hearts with his faithful and righteous rule. And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

CELEBRATION

Are you encountering darkness anywhere in your life… stumbling for direction… terrified by unruly circumstances… shivering in loneliness… paralyzed by anxiety? Does it seem to you that the realm of darkness is winning the day? Are you filled with doubts and fears as you look to the future?

There is good news in this Advent prophecy: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us. He is called by many names – but we call him Jesus – the Light of the world – the One who comes from God to save us from the realm of darkness – “Light and Life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings.”

Whatever your need, whatever your circumstances, whatever your darkness – there is hope. For unto us a child is born…Unto us a Son is given. Thanks be to God!

(Choir and orchestra conclude by singing “For Unto us a Child is Born” from Handel’s Messiah.)