Having An Epiphany In Christ

"Today's Devotion" For January 6, 2006

Read: Matthew 2:1-15; Isaiah 60:1-5

HAVING AN EPIPHANY IN CHRIST

"Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." (Is. 60:1)

Today we are celebrating the Epiphany. For the Christian Church, particularly in the Western Tradition, this day has the significance of observing the coming of the Magi, or Wise Men, from "the East" to worship Jesus as Lord and King. This is the twelfth day after Christmas for us, while for those in the Eastern Christian Tradition, Epiphany is Christmas for them.

Epiphany means "to show," or "to make known," or "to reveal." When the Magi came to the court of King Herod in Jerusalem looking for the newborn "King of the Jews," they noted that they had "seen His star in the East and (had) come to worship Him" (Mt. 2:2). These men were on a mission. They were seeking what the "star in the East" was designed to reveal to them. It was showing them the way, having led them to Jerusalem in the first place. It continued to show them the way, as it led them to Bethlehem and rested on the house where Jesus was living. For all intents and purposes, this star was unique - a miracle of God's creation. While mariners and nomads had always used the constellations in the stars to give them direction on their journeys, to follow a single star to a specific location without a GPS (global positioning satellite) is an absolute miracle. What's more, for those blinded by the darkness of Sin, there's just no way that this could have happened.

Yet happen it did. Of even greater significance for us is that it wasn't God's chosen people of Israel who were searching for Him over the vast expanses of desert and other obstacles, like distance, time, and the dangers of the journey. Instead, the Magi were Gentiles, outsiders, not of the chosen people of God. Their observation of the star, their recognition of its importance and significance - the Holy Spirit was at work here - and their diligent following of it to the place where the child Jesus lived was all part of God's plan to reveal His salvation in Christ to the world. As Matthew recounts the Magi's coming we hear echoes of the Prophet Isaiah not only reminding Israel that "their Light has come," but also that that Light will light the way to God's kingdom for the "nations" - the Gentiles - as well.

That same "Star in the East" rises in our hearts and lives every day as we live in God's grace and blessings in Jesus. God has chosen "to show," "make known," and "to reveal" His love for us in Jesus Christ in the midst of the darkness of Sin in the world and all the things in life that seek to keep us from Him. By God's grace and the power of His Word and Spirit, Jesus has been revealed to us - God has brought us into His kingdom through the washing of Holy Baptism, through which He has made us His very own children and given us the hope and promise of eternal life with Him. As we live in the light of Christ's love each day we seek to follow the same path of the Magi, diligently seeking Jesus and boldly declaring His love and His kingdom to the world. Ever day is an "Epiphany" for God's people, for you and me, as we live as servants of the King of kings and Lord of lords, for He fills us with His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness anew every morning, every evening, and in every moment of our lives. What a wonderful gift of God to have an "Epiphany" daily in Jesus – God incarnate for us.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for revealing to me, through the coming of the Magi, that Jesus is Savior and Lord of all humanity. As the Magi diligently sought Jesus, following the light of His "Star in the East," lead me to also be diligent in seeking Jesus each day. Let the Light of Your love in Him fill the darkness of Sin that seeks to keep me blind to Your love and the life You give to me through faith in His blood. Reveal Jesus to me each day in Your Word. By the power of Your Spirit equip me to share Him and His love with the world around me, so others might also have an "Epiphany" as Your reveal Your love and forgiveness in Christ to them, making known to the world the sure and certain hope of heaven found only in Jesus. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and by the power of Jesus' name bring many into Your eternal mansions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.