Epiphany: Revealing God’s Salvation
“I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize… said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain…’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:33-34)
The manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the wise men from the East in Matthew’s second chapter is the great Epiphany we celebrate today. Epiphany is the moment of sudden and great revelation or realization: for the wise men, a provocatively bright star led them to this; they journeyed all the way to Bethlehem and found and worshipped the new-born King. This is the opportunity to celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ to the nations, to all people. In Jesus Christ all God’s people are gathered and blessed together, and Jeremiah’s prophecy is fully realized: Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ (Jer 31:10)
Gropping in darkness is not just a bad experience faced by a few people; even Prophet John the Baptist, whose role was to prepare the way, for a long time did not know who the Messiah was. The darkness of ignorance is troublesome: When will the monster of corruption let go of our institutions? When will suffering cease and stability return to the DRC? When will a better regime come? You may compose your own ‘when’ questions; the Jews were (and some today still are) asking ‘When will the promised Messiah come?’ It is during such times that we must remember hope, a message that comes to light in Jeremiah’s four chapters (30-33) after 29 chapters of gloomy prophetic discourse. Now we read in Chapter 31, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’ and ‘I will turn their mourning into gladness’, plus comfort for Rachel who was weeping for her children (v.3, 13, 16). Our hope comes from God, and His promises are trustworthy and real.
John the Baptist was bold to testify about his former ignorance – that he did not know who the Messiah was. John kept the hope alive, and kept preaching and baptizing and waiting, until the sign came to pass. When the Spirit of God descended on Jesus, a bright light shone before John’s eyes and he ran out of the dark dungeon and beheld and showed off the Lamb of God. This is the revelation we celebrate – God’s salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. The adults and the children need this revelation. We need to learn three important things from John: First, he kept hope alive, holding onto the Word of God; second, he spoke up and testified when he saw and got to know the Messiah; and third, he called all the people around him to follow the Messiah. God’s salvation plan is for our welfare here on earth and in eternity. Keep hope alive, testify and glorify the Lord in every victory, and share the revelation that others may be drawn to the Saviour.
God bless you all.