Third Sunday after Epiphany (OT)

Isaiah 60:1-7
1 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you;
the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
they shall come up with acceptance on my altar,
and I will beautify my beautiful house.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Is 60:1-7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus Christ says that He is the Light of the World. Matthew recalls the people in darkness have seen a great light. Those sitting in deep darkness upon them light has shined. Jesus Christ brings the Light that breaks through the Darkness.

All people are called to look up to the Light of Heaven. The Magi saw a star and ventured after it in order to find a King. The people look to this light and it consumes them. Most of us like to hide in darkness. We like to avoid making our secrets visible and known to others. But when His Light Shines it penetrates everything.

But Jesus Christ shares the Light of Christ with others. He shines is light into the darkness so that those who sit in darkness reflect that light. Jesus Christ gathers people together from every nation. He has called you. He has made you a reflector of his Light. "Then you shall see and be radiant" is the may Isaiah sees those who come to the LORD. He has redeemed them from their sins and made them clean in the blood of the Lamb.