What Does This Mean?ĭo you know anyone who would benefit from the riches of Jesus? Do you know anyone who might need to hear the truth of Christ’s presence, his love, and his gift of forgiveness? Of course, you do. In shining a light on the truth of Christ, Epiphany shines a light on the truth of our call as Christ’s disciples. We hold the same call to bring the boundless riches of Jesus to those around us. In other words, the revelation that Christ brings salvation to all is too good not to share.Īs Christians, we bear this same commission. Paul described this mission as the need to “bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ” ( Ephesians 3:9). Christ commissions his disciples to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and to the end of the earth” ( Acts 1:8).Ĭhrist’s lordship is to be proclaimed to the nations, and for the nations. Thus, the gospel is to be preached to all people and all nations. What if, however, the Epiphany of the Lord is not simply a past event? What if Epiphany does not only reveal who Jesus is as Lord of the nations, but also the ministry that we have? When we do this, we disconnect the meaning of Epiphany from our lives. We can easily lock Epiphany in the past, believing it to be nothing more than a tale describing gifts to the newborn Christ. Their presence, and the specific gifts that they bring, testify that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. The visit of the Magi is not simply a quaint tale of visitors bringing gifts to a newborn baby. Matthew’s gospel is concerned with the various ways Jesus fulfills messianic prophecy. This is why Matthew describes this scene in detail. These passages, therefore, look forward to the day of redemption - the day when God’s anointed savior will be revealed to the world. The visit of the Magi fulfills these scriptures. Scripture tells how the Messiah will be recognized by the nations, and how representatives of the nations will come bearing gifts. Similarly, the prophet Isaiah describes how “all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord” (60:6). Psalm 72:10 speaks about kings presenting the anointed one with gifts. He is the savior of all.įurthermore, the visit of Magi fulfills several Old Testament passages. The visit of the Magi illustrates that Jesus is King of all Kings, and Lord of all Lords. From the very beginning, people outside of Israel respond to the kingship of Jesus. The Magi are foreigners (read: Gentiles) who recognize the significance of Christ’s birth. It is this revelation that is fully displayed in the visit of the Magi. All can come and receive grace mercy, and forgiveness. The Epiphany of the Lord, therefore, is the revelation that no one is left outside God’s goodness and love. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” ( Romans 10:12). “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on him. Jesus comes as the savior, not just of the Jews, but of the entire world. Instead, Jesus works to bring all things, and all people, together ( Ephesians 1:10). Israel had believed that the Messiah would re-establish the glory of Israel. The birth of Jesus, however, reveals that God always longed to save to Gentiles. For all these reasons, Gentiles were considered cut off from God’s promise of salvation. Gentiles did not follow the Torah, worshiped other gods, and often engaged in cultic practices prohibited in Israel. Gentiles were not Jewish, and as such, were not considered part of God’s chosen people. The word “Gentile” (Greek: ethnos) described someone outside the nation of Israel. This revelation, however, was controversial in the first-century world. As Christians, we have long accepted this truth. The promises of God, thought to be reserved for the Jews alone, have now been extended to all nations, and all people.įor us today, this is nothing new. Through Christ, Gentiles are part of the “same body,” the chosen body, the body of faith.
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