CALLED INTO THE LIGHT AND UNITED FOR GOD’S MISSION

SCRIPTURE READINGS: ISAIAH 9:1-41 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17MATTHEW 4:12-23 Sunday Reflection: Called into the Light and United for God’s Mission The theme for our reflection is “Called into the Light and United for God’s Mission.” To be called means to be summoned by God for a specific, divine purpose. The Light represents the revelation of Jesus Christ,…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Jan 20, 2026

4–5 minutes

bible, christianity, faith, god, jesus

SCRIPTURE READINGS:
ISAIAH 9:1-4
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17
MATTHEW 4:12-23

Sunday Reflection: Called into the Light and United for God’s Mission

The theme for our reflection is “Called into the Light and United for God’s Mission.” To be called means to be summoned by God for a specific, divine purpose. The Light represents the revelation of Jesus Christ, which dispels the darkness of sin and hopelessness. To be United implies a state of being joined together in harmony, setting aside personal differences for a common cause. God’s Mission is the Great Commission—the task of proclaiming the Gospel and bringing souls to salvation.

This theme reminds us that our journey with Christ is not just for our own benefit, but for the purpose of a collective mission. We will explore two primary lessons:

The transition from spiritual darkness to the light of salvation.
The necessity of unity in Christ to fulfil our mission effectively.

1. From Darkness into the Marvellous Light

The first aspect of our theme focuses on being “Called into the Light.” We are called out of the darkness of sin and into the life-giving light of Jesus Christ.

The Prophet Isaiah captures the desperate state of those living without God’s guidance. In ISAIAH 9:2, it is written: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” This prophecy highlights that spiritual darkness—characterised by immorality, depression, and confusion—cannot be overcome by human effort alone.

This promise finds its ultimate fulfilment in the ministry of Jesus. When Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, He became the dawn of a new era. As recorded in MATTHEW 4:16: “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Jesus does not just call us to the light; He calls us to be carriers of that light. When He spoke to Peter and Andrew, He said, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (MATTHEW 4:19). Our calling into the light is immediately followed by a command to share that light with others. We must ask ourselves: Are we actively leading those in the darkness of our workplaces and neighbourhoods toward the saving light of Christ?

2. United in Mind and Purpose for the Mission

The second aspect of our theme is being “United for God’s Mission.” Once we are in the light, we must remain focused on Christ to avoid the distractions of human-centred divisions.

The Church in Corinth faced a crisis of identity, where believers began to follow human leaders rather than the Lord. Paul addresses this in 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

When we focus on personalities—pastors, influencers, or specific traditions—we risk emptying the Cross of its power. Paul clarifies his mission in 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17: “For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Our mission is Christ-centred. When we remain united, we demonstrate to the world that salvation is not about human wisdom, but about the power of God. As JAMES 3:1 warns, leadership carries a heavy responsibility; therefore, those who lead must ensure they are uniting the flock under the banner of Christ, not their own names.

Summary of Lessons

In summary, we have reflected on what it means to be “Called into the Light and United for God’s Mission.” These are Key Components of the theme and their Spiritual Significance. The Call: An invitation to repentance and grace (MATTHEW 4:17). The Light: Jesus Christ, the source of truth and life (ISAIAH 9:2). The Unity: Collective focus on the Cross, avoiding division (1 CORINTHIANS 1:10). The Mission: To “fish for people” and preach the Good News (MATTHEW 4:19).

We have learned:

The Light of Salvation: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to deliver us from the darkness of sin, as seen in ISAIAH 9 and MATTHEW 4.
The Power of Unity: To be effective in God’s mission, we must set aside divisions and remain “perfectly united” in Christ, as urged in 1 CORINTHIANS 1.

By embracing our calling and maintaining our unity, we become the light of the world that cannot be hidden.

A Prayer for the Mission

Gracious Father, we thank You for calling us out of the darkness of sin and into the marvellous light of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that You would ignite within us a passion for Your mission. Grant us the spirit of unity, that we may put aside all divisions and focus solely on the Cross. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be faithful witnesses, fishing for souls and preaching the Good News to all who are lost. May our lives reflect Your light and bring glory to Your name. Amen.