manifestation”…something that has been hidden is now “made visible”. The celebration of the Epiphany in the church’s liturgy will occur this Sunday and comes from the visit of the Magi in Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King,
behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his
star when it rose and have come to worship him…” When they saw the star,
they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and
they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered
him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Twice in the narrative, the Magi indicate their long journey
was to discover the King and to worship him.
The significance lies in the fact that they were Gentiles and not
Jews. The Gospel points us beyond the
life of Jesus to the final days when he told his disciples: “Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the
Gospel…” The Apostle Paul reminded
us that his mission was to preach the Gospel saying, “I am not ashamed of
the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek ( Romans 1:16).
The Magi came to Jesus with gifts fitting a King. They were the second of two epiphanies – the first
being to the Shepherds on the night of the Nativity. The shepherds were Jewish night workers. The Magi were Gentiles - Persian royal court
officials. Epiphany reminds us that the
Gospel is for the whole world. This revelation
had been prophesied in the Old Testament book of Isaiah 700 years before it
occurred.
Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen
upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the
peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your
rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they
come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be
carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the
nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and
Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and
shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.
In the Epiphany, we pray that the light that has come will
scatter the darkness. That the glory of
the Lord will shine into our hearts and minds, and that those who live in the
darkness will see the glory of God in his people, in his Church. So, “lift up your eyes”… behold “the Lord has
come and his Kingdom with him”.
Matthew 9:35-38
“Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease
and every affliction.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are few;
therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
into his harvest.”
Peace
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