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As children, we enjoyed playing with, and learning about, the properties of light through its rays. A small bright light in a dark room allowed us to make shadow puppets, using our hands, on the wall. The magnifying glass opened up new worlds as we explored nature up close, and set little grass fires in the process! A turning kaleidoscope pointed to a light source revealed an ever-changing and colourful array of crystalline designs. Using simple microscopes in school science class, we learned how to focus the light to reveal the structures of cells in plants, even in skin and blood.
In the Old Testament, God spoke to His people in a variety of ways: through parables, stories of great battles and human migration, prophets standing up to the people and rulers with unpopular messages, miracles performed to astounded onlookers, and in the poetry of the Psalms, and the wise advice in the Proverbs. It’s as if each of these revelations of God’s love, mercy and justice were light rays of light, performing different tasks and appearing in mysterious ways, to reach His people and tell them about His plan of salvation.
"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, who He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." (Hebrews 1:1 NASB) After many years of various signs and revelations, God then sent His Son to earth, the first born and also the maker of creation, to us not only speak messages about God, but also to be the Word, the message itself. In a way, all the rays of light and wisdom were joined together to become one pure ray of energy, shining in the darkness and revealing God’s love, mercy and plan of salvation.
The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke out to Christians who were weary and discouraged, and who needed encouragement to find strength in the Lord Jesus, knowing how He was greater than any prophet or priest, and indeed the Maker of the world. As you next marvel at light glancing off a window pane, sunshine dancing in and out the clouds or sparkling off a blue wind ruffled lake, think of the ways our Lord God revealed Himself in the Scriptures, and now in these last days has fully revealed Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus.
Shirley Moulton
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