JESUS, THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR

John, the beloved apostle, was exiled to the island of Patmos. Little did John know that Jesus Himself would pay a visit there. Read the whole account in Revelation 1. As Jesus concludes His discourse with John, He says of Himself, "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify unto you these things in the churches, I am the root and offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star." (Rev. 22:16) We will explore how He gives brightness and meaning to our lives.

 In Luke we read the story of the first Christmas. Christmas is about the special Gift from God, arriving into the darkness of sin, suppression and suffering. Isaiah's prophecy of Jesus' coming to our world states, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:7 KJV).

 1. Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, overcomes darkness (Isaiah 9:2)

 2. Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, reveals what is in the darkness (John 3:18-21).

 3. Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, gives direction to those who will walk in His light. (John 8:12; 1 John 1:7).

 Jack Hayford and Dick Eastman in their book, Living and Praying in Jesus' Name have given some special insights to Jesus' title of Bright and Morning Star. The Greek word for star is aster and is combined with bright and morning. When we refer to Christ's Brightness we think of his dominance, morning reminds us of His newness and freshness. Hayford and Eastman state, "When Jesus refers to Himself as the Bright and Morning Star, He is providing us with a threefold analysis of His nature: first, His brightness evidences that the darkness of our sin or suffering cannot prevail; second, His shining declares that a new day is at hand as we move into His light; third, His radiance announces that His coming is at hand - we must look for Him in readiness for He will come again. (p.169).

 * Many in the world have not seen His light. (Hebrews 1:2-3)

 * Many have seen His Light but rejected Christ. (John 1:10,11)

 * Believers have accepted Christ, but refuse to let His light shine in every part of their lives.

 * Some believers have allowed Christ's Light into every corner of their lives and some are clean and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Eph.5:18).