Cosmic Show and Tell
Commentary
The meaning of the word Epiphany is "to show forth," "to make known," "to reveal."
If the story of the entire Bible can be characterized as anything it can be characterized as an Epiphany. Throughout the pages of scripture we discover God moving in and out of the affairs of men and nations constantly making himself known.
Whether he shows himself in the act of creation, or as the searcher in Eden, the watcher when Abel is slain, the judge and savior at the flood, at the burning bush, standing at the top of a stairway, mighty in battle, severe in his judgments, promising future restoration, speaking through prophets, or at a manger, it is the same God always doing the same thing: stepping on stage, accosting those whom he loves and seeks to make his own, reclaiming us from the dust of our own failures. He is always with us. Little wonder his anointed one will be named Immanuel, God with us.
Epiphany offers two possibilities: 1) We can "come and see." We are invited to open the spiritual eye and ear, to look and listen for his appearance and activity and word in the midst of our daily lives. This will be more easily done in retrospect. It is always easier to say, "He was there," "It was he who came to me," than to say "There he is" or "Here he is." 2) We can tell others of him and his appearances. We can invite them to join us, to stand in awe that he who is the maker of all things has chosen to become one of us that we might know his heart first-hand.
OUTLINE I
The God Who Makes -- and Keeps Promises
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction: Some commentary on the meaning of Epiphany (see theme) can be helpful at the outset. Invite the hearers to open heart and mind as well as eye and ear and await the word (message) that is God's gift to us.
The Promise: Isaiah 60:1-6
Our God is a God who makes promises. Recall the circumstances of this scripture as those of a post-exilic community. It is no easy thing for them to remain optimistic. The return home was not accepted by all and had not proven to be a great high point for celebration. See Ezra for a description of the situation. Even so, the poet seeks to lift his eyes from the distraction and mess all around and hear the promises of God. All of us are adversely affected by our daily circumstances. The prophetic word reminds us of who holds eternity in his hand, makes and keeps promises.
The Insight: One does well to point out that the Ephesian understanding of how the promise to Israel was fulfilled was written before the gospel story. Here the writer of Ephesians sets out God's purposes for all (Gentiles included) and for all creation -- the unity of all things. Do not lose sight of the fact that this is no new thing; it is the continuing drama of God's acting in history. So, hang in there.
The Story: Now that the promise is made and the insight gained, the story can now be told. Be certain to show how all three selections of scripture maintain the same message. Especially note the correlation of the gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Conclusion: Emphasize the declarations that our confidence and our security are rooted in nothing other than the certainty of God keeping his promises.
OUTLINE II
The Gifts of the Magi
Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction: Show how the gospel and Old Testament relate to each other, one in promise and hope; the other in fulfillment and hope. Offer a word about Matthew's universal spirit evidenced by his story of outsiders attending the birth. Then shift to the gifts that symbolize the acceptance and obedience of the nations in both Isaiah and Matthew. Matthew summarizes his understanding of who Jesus is and the role of the Messiah in the symbolism of the gifts thc wise men bring:
1) Gold: a gift fit for a king.
Israel had longed for a king. She had built up her own ideas of majesty, glory, power, prestige and the like which this king would bring. Matthew has gold laid at the feet of a babe. This is God's idea of the king they need. Re-read Samuel's word of warning about kings in 1 Samuel 8 and the prophet warning in Isaiah 31.
2) Frankincense: a gift fit for a priest.
Frankincense was used in religious ceremonies by priests. Matthew is reminding God's people that he has not abandoned them. He sends his priestly one. The Greek word for priest is "pontifex." The word means "bridge builder." That is who Jesus is. Re-read the Letter to the Hebrews, especially 4:14-16.
3) Myrrh: for embalming the dead.
Amidst the joyous shouts of Matthew is a sense of foreboding. A threatening king, the gathering opposition and the gift of myrrh which was used by embalmers. The entrenched powerful would do him in. John tells why: John 3:16-19. Recall that Matthew and John write in retrospect. Now they see that his death was no tragedy but the means of salvation. Now they can see God in it all.
Conclusion: Use the carol "We Three Kings" as a responsive or unison reading. This carol is a fitting summary.
OUTLINE III
The Wonder of God's Love
Ephesians 3:1-12
Introduction: Do some research on the meaning of mystery. All too often it is presented as the mysterious, the unknown. Here it seems to be used as a term signifying awe and wonder. It is a mystery -- a wonder -- no one can tell why -- without cause -- that God would do such a thing.
1) All are included. Here is an opportunity to expand on the universal nature of the good news. Perhaps some background about the conflict between the universalists and the particularists who thought God loved Israel alone, would serve to highlight this inclusive message.
2) Paul is chosen. Paul never ceased to he amazed that one such as himself was a chosen instrument of God's gracious message. "To me, least of all." Surely this is a good place for emphasizing the mystery (wonder -- awe) that God would care enough to include such as ourselves.
3) God's eternal purpose. Sometimes the gospel is presented as if God finally came toinsight or decided to make one more try in a new way. If there is any good news at all,it has always been the same good news about a God who has always been the same, is now, and always will be.
Conclusion: Focus attention on Paul's last admonition to his readers not to lose heart. The Ephesian letter shares that message with the Isaiah and Matthew selections. This message of wonder and awe (mystery) is a message for all those who see no daylight, who grow weary in well-doing, who are sometimes ready to throw in the towel.
If the story of the entire Bible can be characterized as anything it can be characterized as an Epiphany. Throughout the pages of scripture we discover God moving in and out of the affairs of men and nations constantly making himself known.
Whether he shows himself in the act of creation, or as the searcher in Eden, the watcher when Abel is slain, the judge and savior at the flood, at the burning bush, standing at the top of a stairway, mighty in battle, severe in his judgments, promising future restoration, speaking through prophets, or at a manger, it is the same God always doing the same thing: stepping on stage, accosting those whom he loves and seeks to make his own, reclaiming us from the dust of our own failures. He is always with us. Little wonder his anointed one will be named Immanuel, God with us.
Epiphany offers two possibilities: 1) We can "come and see." We are invited to open the spiritual eye and ear, to look and listen for his appearance and activity and word in the midst of our daily lives. This will be more easily done in retrospect. It is always easier to say, "He was there," "It was he who came to me," than to say "There he is" or "Here he is." 2) We can tell others of him and his appearances. We can invite them to join us, to stand in awe that he who is the maker of all things has chosen to become one of us that we might know his heart first-hand.
OUTLINE I
The God Who Makes -- and Keeps Promises
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction: Some commentary on the meaning of Epiphany (see theme) can be helpful at the outset. Invite the hearers to open heart and mind as well as eye and ear and await the word (message) that is God's gift to us.
The Promise: Isaiah 60:1-6
Our God is a God who makes promises. Recall the circumstances of this scripture as those of a post-exilic community. It is no easy thing for them to remain optimistic. The return home was not accepted by all and had not proven to be a great high point for celebration. See Ezra for a description of the situation. Even so, the poet seeks to lift his eyes from the distraction and mess all around and hear the promises of God. All of us are adversely affected by our daily circumstances. The prophetic word reminds us of who holds eternity in his hand, makes and keeps promises.
The Insight: One does well to point out that the Ephesian understanding of how the promise to Israel was fulfilled was written before the gospel story. Here the writer of Ephesians sets out God's purposes for all (Gentiles included) and for all creation -- the unity of all things. Do not lose sight of the fact that this is no new thing; it is the continuing drama of God's acting in history. So, hang in there.
The Story: Now that the promise is made and the insight gained, the story can now be told. Be certain to show how all three selections of scripture maintain the same message. Especially note the correlation of the gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Conclusion: Emphasize the declarations that our confidence and our security are rooted in nothing other than the certainty of God keeping his promises.
OUTLINE II
The Gifts of the Magi
Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction: Show how the gospel and Old Testament relate to each other, one in promise and hope; the other in fulfillment and hope. Offer a word about Matthew's universal spirit evidenced by his story of outsiders attending the birth. Then shift to the gifts that symbolize the acceptance and obedience of the nations in both Isaiah and Matthew. Matthew summarizes his understanding of who Jesus is and the role of the Messiah in the symbolism of the gifts thc wise men bring:
1) Gold: a gift fit for a king.
Israel had longed for a king. She had built up her own ideas of majesty, glory, power, prestige and the like which this king would bring. Matthew has gold laid at the feet of a babe. This is God's idea of the king they need. Re-read Samuel's word of warning about kings in 1 Samuel 8 and the prophet warning in Isaiah 31.
2) Frankincense: a gift fit for a priest.
Frankincense was used in religious ceremonies by priests. Matthew is reminding God's people that he has not abandoned them. He sends his priestly one. The Greek word for priest is "pontifex." The word means "bridge builder." That is who Jesus is. Re-read the Letter to the Hebrews, especially 4:14-16.
3) Myrrh: for embalming the dead.
Amidst the joyous shouts of Matthew is a sense of foreboding. A threatening king, the gathering opposition and the gift of myrrh which was used by embalmers. The entrenched powerful would do him in. John tells why: John 3:16-19. Recall that Matthew and John write in retrospect. Now they see that his death was no tragedy but the means of salvation. Now they can see God in it all.
Conclusion: Use the carol "We Three Kings" as a responsive or unison reading. This carol is a fitting summary.
OUTLINE III
The Wonder of God's Love
Ephesians 3:1-12
Introduction: Do some research on the meaning of mystery. All too often it is presented as the mysterious, the unknown. Here it seems to be used as a term signifying awe and wonder. It is a mystery -- a wonder -- no one can tell why -- without cause -- that God would do such a thing.
1) All are included. Here is an opportunity to expand on the universal nature of the good news. Perhaps some background about the conflict between the universalists and the particularists who thought God loved Israel alone, would serve to highlight this inclusive message.
2) Paul is chosen. Paul never ceased to he amazed that one such as himself was a chosen instrument of God's gracious message. "To me, least of all." Surely this is a good place for emphasizing the mystery (wonder -- awe) that God would care enough to include such as ourselves.
3) God's eternal purpose. Sometimes the gospel is presented as if God finally came toinsight or decided to make one more try in a new way. If there is any good news at all,it has always been the same good news about a God who has always been the same, is now, and always will be.
Conclusion: Focus attention on Paul's last admonition to his readers not to lose heart. The Ephesian letter shares that message with the Isaiah and Matthew selections. This message of wonder and awe (mystery) is a message for all those who see no daylight, who grow weary in well-doing, who are sometimes ready to throw in the towel.
