Isaiah 9:1-4

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” vs. 2

Today many businesses and schools are closed to acknowledge Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday established by congress to honor and remember King’s life and achievements. Dr. King, a Baptist pastor, was a disciple of Gandhi and was an advocate of non-violent resistance to racial oppression and bigotry. His last speech in Memphis contained these closing thoughts, “I’ve been to the mountaintop…and I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land! So I’m happy tonight, I’m not worried about anything!…Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!! The next day he was killed by an assassin’s bullet. It’s not an accident that the speeches of Dr. King contain many references to the prophets–he was steeped in scripture and found hope in their words. Like Isaiah he believed that one day the people who walked in darkness would see a great light. While King had many enemies during his lifetime and even today many disparage his accomplishments, those who proclaim Christ as the Light of the World, know that in King’s life and ministry, Christ’s light has shined.

Thought for the Day: In what ways does racial bigotry continue today?