The Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 60:1-6, 9; Psalm 72 or 72:1-2, 10-17; Eph. 3:1-12; Matt. 2:1-12
RCL: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72 or 72:1-2, 10-17; Eph. 3:1-12; Matt. 2:1-12
If Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, were a screenwriter, the passage from Ephesians might have gone like this: The rulers and authorities in heaven — those supervisory angels and archangels — all received the long-awaited invitation. The Lord God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, had called a meeting with compulsory attendance. This was the event he had told them would come, the event when the mystery of the ages would be uncovered.
He began by reviewing the origins of the mystery. He had declared in former days that he would show them the depths of the riches of the grace that lay at the heart of his being. Now he had the demonstration that he needed.
To show his nature, God had chosen the greatest challenge that could face the company of the redeemed. The real proof would be Jew and gentile together, sharing the light, the glory, and the covenant of grace. The sense of special privilege that would take hold of the heart of the Jew would be removed and replaced with the radiance and the thrilling joy Isaiah foresaw. The wayward nations of the world would turn from their idols and false gods and share the faith and common life with the Jew.
The meeting the Lord God Almighty called had to wait until the new age of the gospel arrived. God’s Messiah had come and had achieved salvation for all sinners. Paul played the key role in two ways. He was to “bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of grace,” and also to “help the leaders of the church to see” this new dimension of God’s covenant. It is difficult to determine which of those two roles was to be the most challenging.
There was the one event to which God pointed which would show that the plan was underway. While the holy family still lived in Bethlehem, the first worshipers arrived, the faithful who recognized the baby at Mary’s bosom as the Redeemer of the world. No, not Jews, but Persians, gentiles, the first of the nations, an ethnic group far from Israel, leaving their own religion to offer gifts of worship, recognition, and obedience.
To sum up the presentation the rulers and authorities heard, the Lord pointed to the Church, those who followed the leading of the star to worship his Son. They were Jew, Persian, Chinese, white European, all the peoples of the earth, together in fellowship, together in worship of God’s only Son.
Look It Up
The symbolism of gold, frankincense, and myrrh unfold many aspects of the ministry and person of Jesus Christ. A thorough search will lead you to new understandings and deeper praise.
Think About It
Could God use your congregation as a demonstration of the riches of his grace because of the mixture and the love of those in your pews?
Next Sunday
The First Sunday After the Epiphany (Year A), Jan. 13, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm89:1-29 or 89:20-29; Acts 10:34-38; Matt. 3:13-17
RCL: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matt. 3:13-17
