Darkness and Light: The Hope of a New Kingdom

Isaiah 8:19 - 9:7 and Matthew 4:12 - 25

A World in Darkness

Have you ever been lost in complete darkness? The fear, the uncertainty, the vulnerability—it can be overwhelming. In darkness, we stumble, grasping for direction but unable to see where we are going.

The prophet Isaiah paints a picture of an even greater kind of darkness—not just physical, but a deep spiritual and emotional darkness. Distress, fear, oppression, injustice. A world full of war, suffering, and hopelessness. A world where people curse their leaders, searching for answers but finding none. A world of people walking in darkness with no dawn in sight.

Sound familiar?

Though Isaiah wrote over 2,700 years ago, his words ring true today. We live in an age of technological advancement, education, and wealth, yet anxiety, injustice, and loneliness persist. We may not always acknowledge it, but we feel the weight of darkness—globally, in our communities, and within ourselves.

Isaiah shows us that this darkness is not just something around us—it’s within us. We often search for answers in places that cannot provide them, leading to a cycle of distress and separation from God. A never-ending cycle of distress, confusion, and separation from the very source of life and light.

The Dawn of Hope

But this is not the end of the story. Isaiah speaks of hope: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” But what is this light? Isaiah tells us that it is not brought about by human effort but by the zeal of the Lord—God Himself is passionately committed to bringing salvation.

Light symbolizes hope, direction, and renewal. Where darkness brought fear, light brings safety. Where darkness left us wandering, light shows us the way forward. Where darkness signified oppression and despair, light signifies freedom and peace.

Isaiah describes a moment when the gloom is lifted, when war ceases, when burdens are broken. A new era is dawning—not because people finally figured things out, not because they rescued themselves, but because God Himself is bringing the light.

This light is not earned. It is not the result of human effort or self-improvement. It is a gift, a rescue mission from God Himself. We were lost in darkness, unable to save ourselves. But God, in His love, came to bring us light.

This is both humbling and deeply comforting. Humbling because we must admit we cannot fix ourselves. Comforting because salvation does not depend on us—it is God’s initiative, and He will accomplish it.

The Light is for Everyone

Not only is this light sure and unstoppable, but it is for all people.

When Isaiah spoke of light coming, he didn’t say it would shine first in Jerusalem, the religious and political center. Instead, he declared that the light would first shine in Galilee of the nations—a place of insignificance, of mixed cultures, of people considered outsiders.

This was surprising! If God was going to bring light, wouldn’t it first come to the temple? To those who seemed most worthy? But no, the light of God comes first to the ordinary, the unexpected, the forgotten.

And this is good news for us today. No one is too far from God’s reach. The light of His salvation is not just for the religious, the successful, or those who seem to have it all together. It is for those who know they are in darkness. It is for those who need hope. It is for you.

The only way to miss out on this light is to refuse to see it—to insist that you don’t need it, that you will find your own way in the dark. But for those who acknowledge their need, the light is already shining.

A King Who Brings the Light

But what is this light? Not a philosophy. Not a program. Not a government. But a person. And in the darkness, there are not just shadows, but evil things lurking—forces that seek to do us harm. Jesus, the Light, does not merely illuminate but actively defeats the powers of darkness. Everywhere He went, He confronted and cast out demons, showing His authority over spiritual forces of evil. He healed sickness and calmed storms, showing his power over the evil in the world. He exposed hypocrisy, injustice and sin, calling people to repentance and freedom. And ultimately, He triumphed over death itself, proving that the darkness could not overcome the Light.

Isaiah reveals that this light comes in the form of a child—a king. This is astonishing! Instead of arriving with force and political power, the King comes humbly, as a vulnerable child—signaling that His kingdom is unlike any other before it. He does not come to dominate but to serve, to invite rather than to impose. He comes not to conquer with force, but to bring salvation through love and humility.

We have seen many kings, rulers, and leaders throughout history. Some better than others, but all of them flawed. If another earthly king were coming to reign, that wouldn’t be good news at all! But this king is different.

• He is the Wonderful Counselor—where we lacked wisdom, He brings truth and guidance.

• He is the Mighty God—where we were powerless against evil, He is strong to save.

• He is the Everlasting Father—where we were alone, He offers relationship, care, and love.

• He is the Prince of Peace—where there was conflict and chaos, He brings restoration and wholeness.

This is not just another ruler trying to impose His will. This is God Himself stepping into our darkness, bringing us light.

And how does He do it? Not by conquering with violence. Not by demanding power. He does not place a heavy burden upon us but offers a different kind of rule: His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. He is a King who leads with gentleness, giving rest to the weary. But by becoming one of us. He does not place a heavy burden upon us but offers a different kind of rule: His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. He is a King who leads with gentleness, giving rest to the weary. By taking on our burdens. By stepping into our suffering. By ultimately defeating the darkness on the cross. By ultimately defeating the darkness on the cross.

The greatest problem with the darkness is that it is within us. To remove it, God would have had every right to remove us. But instead, He bore our sin, shame, and rebellion upon Himself. He took it all to the cross. And when He rose again, He shattered the power of darkness forever.

A Kingdom That is Coming

I have experienced my share of darkness—conflict in community, loss, and shattered dreams. But more than anything, I have known the darkness of shame and guilt. For years, I feared that if God and others truly knew me, I would be rejected. It was easier to hide. But hiding brought loneliness and fear, not peace.

Then I encountered Jesus—the One who confronts the lies of the darkness. His light freed me from my shame and allowed me to experience the embrace of the Father and the life of the Prince of Peace. He told me the truth: that because of His work, He could free me from my sin, and because of His grace, He had given me a new identity. Whereas in the darkness I had to hide and feared rejection, in Jesus' light I found freedom, peace, and life.

If Jesus has come, why does darkness still exist? Why is the world still broken?

Isaiah gives us a clue: “A great light has dawned.” The light has come, but the sun has not yet fully risen. The kingdom of God has arrived, but we still await its full and final restoration.

Jesus began this work, and He calls His people—those who follow Him—to be part of it. Though the full light of His kingdom has not yet come, we see glimpses of it now—through changed lives, through the presence of His Spirit, and through His people bringing hope into the world. Matthew quotes this very passage to describe Jesus’ ministry, showing how everywhere He goes, He brings light with Him. He is the Everlasting Father—offering deep, personal relationship to those who were estranged in sin. He is the Mighty God—defeating evil of this world. He is the Wonderful Counselor—teaching us the way to true life in his kingdom. And He is the Prince of Peace—leading us into wholeness and restoration - into the life we were created for.

One day, the darkness will be gone forever. One day, Jesus will return, and His kingdom will be complete. Then, this dawning light will become the only reality. Revelation 22:5 promises: 'Night will be no more. We will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be our light, and we will reign forever and ever.' The shadows of this world will be completely overcome, and we will live eternally in the fullness of His glorious light.

Until that day, He invites us to walk in His light now. He calls us to be part of His kingdom—bringing His message of hope and victory to all corners of the earth. This mission starts where we are: in our families, schools, workplaces, and communities.

How Will You Respond?

The light has come. The question is—will you step into it? No matter how deep the darkness feels, the light is stronger. Jesus has come to rescue, restore, and lead us into life.

Jesus calls us to turn from the darkness, reject the voices of the world, and choose to listen to Him instead. Believe in Him. To trust that He is the true King. To leave behind the empty promises of the world and step into the light of His kingdom.

This means:

• Coming to Jesus—acknowledging our need and receiving the gift of His salvation.

• Repenting and believing—turning away from the false hopes of the world and placing our trust fully in Him.

• Walking in the light—living in relationship with Him, following His ways, and reflecting His goodness to others.

This is the invitation. Will you receive it?

"Jesus, I acknowledge the darkness in my life and my need for Your light. I turn from my own way and choose to trust in You. Be my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Amen."