Based on a series of sermons preached in PCC Prayer Meetings in 2023-2024
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall
Malachi 4:2
Our text is found in the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament, the prophecy of Malachi. Like most of the prophetic books, it is full of pictures. But unlike many of the prophetic books, its pictures are not difficult to understand. Indeed, in this study, we want to consider a picture, which is undoubtedly one of the most comforting to be found in the Bible.
Malachi says, verse 2:
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
This verse teaches us three thoughts that I find most helpful in moments when I find my life dark and dreary or full of doubts and uncertainties. The first thought is that Christ has risen; the second is that Christ has risen for all who fear him; the third is that Christ is reaching out to us with healing in His wings.
1. Christ Is Risen
Although Malachi does not say that the Sun of Righteousness is Christ, hardly any Christian commentator disagrees. The Lord Jesus says, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12).
When Christ came into the world in the fullness of time, He was spoken of as a great light coming into the world (Mt 4:16; Jn 3:19).
The Sun of Righteousness has arisen!
Why is the Lord Jesus called the “Sun of Righteousness”? We can think of at least five reasons.
First, Christ is the Sun of Righteousness because he ushered in a new era of redemptive history when He arose. The birth of the Lord was the dawning of the glorious Last Days in the history of the Church.
Secondly, when He arose, he chased away the shadows and darkness of the Old Testament. Imagine being in a very dark room. As you walk around the room, you know there are many things in it, but you can hardly figure out what they are because of a lack of light. Old Testament saints lived under the covenant of grace in such a state. New Testament saints live under the same covenant, with the light of Christ illuminating everything.
Thirdly, Christ is the Sun of Righteousness because when He came, he exposed the darkness of man’s heart by showing sin for what it is. He reveals, for example, that a man who lusts after a woman has committed adultery with her. No one else sees it, but God sees.
Fourthly, the light of His righteousness shines upon all who believe Him. So bright is the Sun of Righteousness that they appear to be perfectly righteous. They are justified.
Fifthly, Christ Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness because God has appointed that we should know His glory and righteousness through Christ Jesus (cf. 2 Cor 4:6). He who sees Christ sees His Father. He who enjoys the love of Christ enjoys the love of God.
2. Christ Is Risen for those Who fear God
The LORD says through Malachi: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise…”
Unlike the star of our solar system, the Sun of Righteousness has not arisen for everyone. He has arisen for those who fear the name of the LORD.
Who are these? These are those who esteem the smiles and frowns of the LORD more highly than the smiles and frowns of men.
Therefore, they are not proud or do wickedly; they keep God’s commandments and walk in His ways (Dt 6:2, 13; 8:6); they love Him and “serve him in sincerity and in truth” (Jos 24:14); they have a special relationship with Him (Ps 25:14).
They are the opposite of those mentioned in verse 1, who are proud and do wickedly and shall be burned as stubble in the oven.
Do you fear the LORD? If so, the Sun of Righteousness has risen for you. Those who fear not the LORD have reasons for gloom and despair because God does not bless those who walk in sin.
If you walk not in the fear of the Lord, you are walking in sin, and unless you repent, you shall experience the hot wrath of God threatened in verse 1.
But if you fear the Lord, you have every reason to hope. Metaphorically, he rose for you like the sun. Historically, he rose for you, for your justification.
3. Christ Is Reaching out to Us With Healing in His Wings
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings
Mal 4:2a
The word ‘wings’ here refers to rays of light. As the sun rises in the morning, its rays begin to conquer darkness and drive away the damp and cold of the night hours. So too, as the Sun of Righteousness rises, He conquers the darkness and gloom that enslave many. He provides healing warmth for those overwhelmed by cold and dampness in their souls.
This is the case for all who fear the Lord. He freed you from you from the bondage of darkness. He brought you out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke your bands in sunder (Ps 107:14). His healing rays warmed your cold and lifeless soul, and gave life to it.
He sent forth His Spirit into your heart so that the corruption of your heart is being burned away in sanctification. Thus, by His Spirit, He heals you of your sinfulness by making you more and more like Him.
And He does not cease to do so for all who fear Him. If you fear Him, believe Him and love Him, be assured that He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Yes, there will be times when you will have to walk through valleys of darkness, and there will be times when dark clouds return after the rain.
The darkness that enshrouds your soul and the clouds may be due to your falling into temptation, or it may even be due to a medical condition appointed by the Lord. Whatever it may be, at such times, you will feel little warmth and see little of the light of day.
But at such times, you must remember that the Sun of Righteousness is still shining full bright behind the dark clouds and outside the dark valley. You will come out of the valley, and the dark clouds will eventually dissipate. The warm and bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness will bless you again.
Conclusion
Are you, beloved brethren and children, experiencing the warm and healing rays of the Sun of Righteousness? Are you enjoying the blessings of a righteous life? Are you enjoying being regarded as righteous in God’s eyes? Blessed are you if you are.
But if you are not, can you, nevertheless, say, I fear God, though my faith is weak, and my love is too cold? If so, I want to assure you that all will be well. Wait upon the Lord. Wait upon Him in contrition, humility and faith.
The Sun of Righteousness has already risen for you. Behind the dark clouds, the Sun is still shining. The darkness will pass; the clouds will dissipate. Only believe and, by His grace, cast all your cares and guilty burdens upon the foot of the cross. Amen.
—JJ Lim