Epiphany
Isaiah 49:6 The LORD says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Introduction
This morning we come celebrating Epiphany.
Now remember Epiphany is more than simply a quaint story about wise men or a guiding star.
Instead, Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. As such, it lies at the heart of the Gospel message and at the heart of God’s promise concerning the Messiah.
However, this morning, I want us to take a bit of a different approach to our celebration. That is, this morning I want us to ask two basic questions.
First, I want us to ask: what do the accounts of Epiphany and Christmas tell us about the world in which we live?
Second, I want us to ask: how is the picture of the world that Epiphany and Christmas provide radically different from the one that we are most accustomed to holding?
A] First, Christmas and Epiphany remind me that the world in which we live is a world engaged by angels (a world in which angels have an active part)
Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, (Luke 2:8-9,13)
Matthew 2:13 Now when the Magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you;
Importance: over and again Scripture makes it clear that while Christmas and Epiphany are extraordinary events, they are not the exception to the rule
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 1:14 Are the angels not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? FN#2
Simply put, Christmas and Epiphany remind me that the world in which we live is not the sterile mechanistic place we are led to believe. Instead, there are far more factors and far more wonders at work than we often assume FN#1.
B] Next, Christmas and Epiphany remind me that the world in which we live is a world of fulfilled prophecy. That is, it is a world directly governed by God’s plan.
Matthew 1:22 Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” (Isa 7:14)
Matthew 2:4 And Herod gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, (Mica 5:2-5)
Importance: once again Scripture makes it clear that while Christmas and Epiphany are extraordinary events, they are not the exception to the rule.
Ephesians 1:11 we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
Simply put, Christmas and Epiphany remind me that the world in which we live is not left to happenstance or blind, indifferent fate. Instead, it is a world that is directly governed by God’s plan. As such, it has purpose, direction, and meaning. And it has but one master.
C] Next, Christmas and Epiphany remind me that the world in which we live is a world of willful blindness and belligerent hostility. Simply put, it is a world of spiritual battle.
Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed
Matthew 2:13 an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
Importance: over and again Scripture reminds us that the very same unbelief and spiritual hostility define the world today.
John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
And yet, despite all of that, this is a world of ultimate hope. Think about it: the accounts of Christmas and Epiphany remind me that God did not abandon this hostile world. Instead, God Himself has come to the world to redeem it. FN#3
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
D] Finally, Christmas and Epiphany remind me that this world is a world into which we are sent as lights and heralds to proclaim the Savior that God has given.
Isaiah 43:12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
Bottom line: the picture that Christmas and Epiphany provide of where you live is a very different picture than the one that most people have of this world. It is far more wonderful, purpose laden, and far more enduring than the deistic, mechanical materialism that most embrace. Notice then the point: understanding where you live must drastically change both how and why you live.
2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
Footnotes
1] Far from the sterile mechanistic world we often assume, Scripture tells us that ours is a world created by God (endowed with spiritual meaning), governed by God, and attended by His servants.
2] See also passages such as
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
Psalm 103:20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!
3] Not only that, we are reminded that despite the very real hostility, our battle is not against those who have been deceived. Instead, it is for those who have been deceived and against that which deceives them. As such, we do not meet hostility with hostility. Rather, we counter hostility with truth and love.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you