J, serving Arabic-speakers in a UK city
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ John 1:5
As part of my ministry, I have the pleasure of welcoming newcomers to a regional city in the UK. This photo shows how dark and gloomy the city can seem to those used to warmer climates. In the picture, the sun is just beginning to break through the clouds. The sky is starting to brighten. The light is coming.
At the start of his gospel, the apostle John writes ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5). As Christians, we know that Jesus, the one who said, ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12), has come. Jesus Christ entered our dark world to dispel the darkness of sin, to break its power and penalty, and to bring the light of life.
I want to tell you the story of my friend. When we met, she had just arrived from a Middle Eastern country. She was recently married after a short engagement and was expecting her first baby. She was understandably anxious about giving birth in a strange city, where she did not know anyone and was far from the support of her family. I assured her that I would be there for her if she ever needed me. I got the phone call late one evening and after an eventful drive to the hospital, her baby boy was born just after midnight.
She shared with me afterwards: ‘God provided you to be with me when I was giving birth in a strange city’. My friend and I do not (yet) worship the same God, but as I reflected on her words later, they reminded me of the Lord’s provision to another expectant mother giving birth in a strange town, in the Middle Easter, 2,000 years ago.
How wonderful that God’s provision to Mary as she gave birth to Jesus was the start of God’s provision of a Saviour for the forgiveness of our sin. In my ministry, I have the privilege of sharing with many nationalities that the light of the gospel of Christ is for all people. This Christmas, pray that the truth about the Son of the one true God may break through into the lives of many darkened hearts in this city and they might enjoy the light of life.