I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. – Isaiah 49:6

Soren Kierkegaard was a 19th-century Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic, and author. While some of his conclusions regarding faith have been debated, Kierkegaard showed discernment in this description: “Christian truth itself has eyes to see with. In fact, it is all eye. That’s very disquieting. Think of looking at a painting and discovering that the painting was looking at you. Precisely such is the case with Christian truth. It is looking back at me to see whether I do what it says I should do.”

Isaiah 49 is known as one of the Servant’s Songs, basically a message from the pre-incarnate Jesus. He was calling the people of Israel to listen to Him, just as He called the Jews when he came to Earth as the Messiah… and as He calls today. As the early Jewish people often failed to listen, many in the first century did not heed His words, and much of the world rejects Him today. Yet Jesus still calls to people, offering salvation, healing, and restoration.

In Acts 3, Peter told the nation of Israel they had rejected God’s servant in ignorance. He said, “Repent and return” (v. 19). Peter assured them that God would restore all things when Jesus returns. Later, Paul would quote from Isaiah 49, telling the people in the synagogue that, after their leaders rejected Jesus, who is the Light of the World, God had made Paul and his fellow missionary Barnabas “lights for the Gentiles” (Acts 13:47).

God continues restoring all things to Himself as the time of Christ’s return draws ever nearer. Are you participating in spreading the word of His restoration and of Jesus’ coming? Are you the light in a dark place that He has called you to? You are a representative of Christ on this earth. Ask the Lord to guide you as His representative, part of His saving message of restoration. Pray for believers serving in Congress to not “hide their lights under baskets” but to be faithful witnesses to the Lord’s call.