Chirstmas Week 2/ Epiphany

Psalm: Psalm 147:12-20 

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-14 

Gospel: John 1:1-9, 10-18 

Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-14

Today is the day of Epiphany, or Three Kings Day as it is also known. Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season when the church celebrates the arrival and worship of the wise men of Jesus. Epiphany means “to reveal” or have something made clear. The wise men recognized and revealed to the whole world that Jesus was worthy to be worshiped. The wise men represent the nations of the world coming to the feet of Jesus in worship. What the wise men do has broader implications than just recognizing that Jesus is God, or providing Jesus’ family with gifts, they anticipate that Jesus’ life and mission is not only for the Jews, but also for the nations.

Despite our readings today not being directly related to Epiphany or the wise men, this idea is present. In John, Jesus is the Light and the Word who has come into the world. It is the darkness that opposes Jesus, not necessarily the nations. In fact, perhaps one of the meanings of verses 12-13 is that those who believe in Jesus name are children of God, not necessarily those who are of line of the Jews. Jesus came to redeem not only the Jews, but all the nations, and even all of creation.

Although at Epiphany we celebrate that God has revealed himself to all the nations, our two Old Testament passages remind us that the people of God, Israel, always has a special place in God’s thoughts and plans. Psalm 147 and Jeremiah 31 are images of the restoration of Jerusalem, Israel, and the people of God, returning under the rule (the fatherhood, in vs. 9) of God. God has not abandoned Israel and is at work to save a remnant and bring about their renewal.

So what does this mean to us? Most obviously, we gentiles have been grafted on to the family of God. God has provided the means for all of creation to be redeemed. Second, God does not abandon his people. God’s plan for Israel, as his people, remains the same despite the expansion of those plans now to include the nations more directly. God did not expand and provide for salvation for all and then exclude the original recipients. Finally, God’s love is always reaching out and expanding. God desires that all would come to him.

This week is a little short, but my desire that is that we read the scriptures presented to us each week and reflect on what they mean and how the speak to our lives. I at least am grateful for the work of Jesus to call all nations to follow him and for grafting us into the family of God. May we be mindful and grateful of the salvation we have received through Christ Jesus.

Grace and peace.