“But unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings. . .”
Malachi 4:2a
Darkness flees when the Son arises.
Malachi had no way of knowing the ins-and-outs of his prophecy in today’s Manna, but the meaning is clear to those who live on this side of Calvary and the empty tomb. No doubt his use of “Sun of Righteousness” and “healing in His wings” was perplexing to him; but, again, to those who “abide in Christ” (Jn. 15:1-7) the Message is crystal clear! Hallelujah!!
We know the word “Sun” here is a beautiful reference to God’s “Son,” the Lord Jesus. And, we know “wings” is really a euphemism for Christ’s Hands, which had healing power in them. Even Jesus Himself one time wished He could have been as a “mother hen gathering her chicks (the Jewish people) under her wings, but they would not” (Mt. 23:37).
Yes, Jesus. . .God’s Holy, Perfect “Son of Righteousness”. . .was/is also known as “the Light of the world, in Whom there is no darkness at all” (Jn. 8:12; 9:5; I Jn. 1:5). . .and the darkness (satan, sin and his forces of evil) “couldn’t overcome Him” (Jn. 1:5), though it tried.
Interestingly, the Jewish day began at dusk (6:00 p.m.) and ended the following day at dusk. Thus, their new day began in darkness and concluded in the gathering darkness. This represented the darkness of the Law and it was into that darkness that Jesus was born one night in a Bethlehem manger.
Likewise, when Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, darkness covered the face of the whole earth—symbolizing evil’s desire once again to gain control. But, praise the Lord, all that changed that first Easter morning when the tomb’s stone rolled away and God’s Eternal Light stepped out! No wonder the new day for Christ’s followers begins at dawn, not dusk—for, again, “to them who fear His Name the Sun of Righteousness has arisen with healing in His nail-scarred Hands!” Glory!!
No wonder the Lord led Deborah and Barak to sing “But let them that love Him (the God of Abraham) be as the sun when he goes forth in his might” (Judg. 5:31b). And, no wonder David likened the sun to “a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices as a strong man to run a race, whose going forth is from the ends of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of it—and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof” (Ps. 19:5-6). Just as the sun in the sky bears witness to God’s Presence and Power, so does Jesus, the Risen Lord, testify to God’s Glory “as the waters that cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).
Dear Pilgrim, if you’re going through a difficult time right now and the darkness of doubt and despair are closing in on you, lift up your eyes “higher than the hills to the One from Whence your help comes” (Ps. 121:1-2). The Son has risen and still has “healing in His Hands” for all of your heartaches and hurts. Look to Him. Abide in Him. Trust in Him. Rest in Him. He is able and willing. Therefore, do not fear; instead, arise and shine—and come to Jesus!
October 26, 2011
