Luke 1:78b-79: “…whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Perhaps no metaphor of Christ stirs my joy more than sunrise. Consider ten things the sunrise teaches us about the heart and purposes of Christ.
1. He rises.
When the sun rises each morning from its nightly grave, everyone in its reach rises with it. So, too, all united to Christ rise with him from death to life (Col. 3:1). Yet Christ doesn’t only raise his people from literal death; he also lifts those sitting “in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:78-79; cf. 1 Sam. 2:8). Every day, Jesus extends his hand to lift us from graves of despair and draw us afresh into his grace, love, and holiness.
2. He renews.
The sunrise symbolizes newness—a new start, new possibilities, new hope. So, too, each morning, Christ offers new hope and mercy to his people (Lam. 3:22-23). In fact, none of the benefits of Christ’s redemption are even a day old; each is freshly applied to believers every morning, like the ripest fruit. Believer, your forgiveness wasn’t only pronounced 2,000 years ago at the cross; God speaks fresh forgiveness over you today. He didn’t just delight in you when you were born; he delights in you today with a fresh smile. He loves you afresh. He listens to you afresh. He pursues you afresh. Jesus is a Savior of newness (Isa. 43:19; Rev. 21:5).
3. He beautifies.
The sun offers a unique and beautiful canvas of color every morning. Millennia have passed, yet the world has yet to see the same sunrise twice. Like the sun, Christ contains an endless reservoir of beauty. He will never become old or boring. An eternity of new revelations of his loveliness lies ahead (Ps. 16:11).
4. He enlivens.
As plants draw life from the sun, so believers draw life from their Savior (Ps. 1:2-3; John 15:5). We learn much from the sunflower, which gets its name from its tendency to face the sun from sunrise to sunset. Believers, likewise, are enlivened as they keep their gaze fixed on Christ throughout each day (Heb. 12:1-2).
5. He assures.
The assurance of the sunrise is that it follows every night; no earthly phenomenon is more reliable. Even in the darkest of nights, we can confidently expect the sun to break the dawn. With equal assurance, we await Christ’s deliverance (Ps. 130:6).
6. He heals.
Luke 1:78-79 is an allusion to the final chapter of the Old Testament, in which Malachi describes the coming Messiah as a sunrise: “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” (Mal. 4:2, NLT). Healing is central to the metaphor of sunrise and the hope of Christ. As we sing, “Light and life to all he brings; risen with healing in his wings.”
7. He delights.
Many relate to King Solomon’s words, “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun” (Eccl. 11:7). Studies consistently show a link between sunlight and happiness. Yet the joy of standing in the sun’s rays is just a dim reflection of the joy of standing in Christ’s loving gaze (Num. 6:24-26; Mal. 4:2).
8. He warms.
Nighttime is not only the darkest time but also the coldest. Without Christ, the world is cold, dark, and hopeless. Yet his presence is a fire to our shivering souls; his promises comfort us in our affliction (Ps. 119:49-50).
9. He clarifies.
Scripture often likens darkness to spiritual blindness. In the domain of darkness, we cannot understand God, the world, or ourselves. Yet Christ—the Light himself (John 8:12)—opens our eyes to see clearly. As C.S. Lewis observed, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
10. He conquers.
Some nights are darker than others, but the sunrise conquers them all. So, too, Christ will return to defeat every darkness we experience, and usher us into his soul-warming light (Rev. 21:23).
Friend, the best moments in our lives are, at best, moon-lit nights. As the moon is a dim reflection of the sun, so earthly joys are merely dim reflections of heaven’s joys. Every sunrise points us forward—to a beauty that is infinitely greater and lasting.
Rejoice, believer: The sunrise for which our souls long is coming. Morning is coming. Jesus is coming.
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Song recommendation: Won’t Start Now (Seph Schlueter)
Blake Glosson (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is a pastoral resident at Chapelstreet Church in Geneva, Illinois. He has been published and/or republished or referred by:
- The Gospel Coalition
- Life Bible
- Crosswalk
- Eternal Perspective Ministries (Randy Alcorn)
- Challies.com/Tim Challies (here, here, and here)
- DashHouse (Darryl Dash)
- Moody Radio (here, here, and here)
- The JOY FM (here and here)
- ChurchLeaders.com
- Monergism.com
- The Aquila Report (here, here, and here)
Previously, Blake served as the director of young adults at New Covenant Bible Church in St. Charles, Illinois.
Read “Why Does God Say No to Good Things?” here.
Read “Do This Every Time You See or Feel the Wind” here.
Read or watch “How to Have Faith in Brokenness” here.
Read or watch “What Jesus Does with Your Tears” here.
Watch or listen to Blake’s sermons here.
Feel free to drop a comment below with thoughts or questions!