Epiphany All Year
Commentary
Sometimes I think that we do the concept of Epiphany harm by observing one Sunday as Epiphany. The word means "to reveal" or "to show." It is customary to preach on the story of the coming of the wise men (or the shepherds) and to focus on the showing of the baby Jesus by the holy family.
The Scriptures for this day point out that in a multitude of ways we are shown who he is.
The prophets of Israel were certain that God would choose someone to be his instrument for leading his people to peace and restoration once again. Their words were so far-reaching and conclusive that the New Testament writers had no trouble seeing Jesus as the one who met their expectations. In these words are the purposes of God made known, revealed, shown forth.
Luke tells of the Epiphany, the showing forth of who he was and is at his baptism. And Peter speaks of Epiphany to the crowd gathered at Pentecost. He lists all the evidence: the presence of the Holy Spirit and the gift of power; his doing good, healing, and overcoming the power of evil. Here he is shown faith and made known.
Perhaps we ought to expand Epiphany. Maybe we already do. After all, aren't we always seeking to show him forth, tell who he is, make him known, and reveal his presence in life. Epiphany does seem to last all year.
OUTLINE I
Servants and Prophets
Isaiah 42:1-7; 61:1-4
Introduction: Review the three Isaiahs. This is a good opportunity to differentiate between the Second and Third. In chapter forty-two it appears that the servant is to be Israel and that it is Israel who is chosen to be God's agent of salvation. In chapter sixty-one it is the prophet himself who brings the message of salvation and restoration. The point is that both are confident that God has acted and will act.
The Servant: Without doubt, the Christian church has finally identified Jesus as the servant. And why not? So much insight about the nature of God's heart and will is revealed by the prophet. Jesus lives it out, not because the prophet spoke it, but because he acted as God would act in our midst. He came and lived out the message as well as speaking it.
The Prophet: Prophets speak. Sometimes they act out their message in dramatic fashion. But they do not embody the message. They speak for God. They tell us about the ways God can be expected to act in our midst. Surely Jesus was no prophet. He was something more. When the Christian church speaks of Jesus and uses the words of the prophets, it substitutes the name of Jesus wherever there is a "you" or a "he." (See John 1:14)
Conclusion: The prophets have proclaimed it. Jesus lived it. The promises are certain. God means for us to know what he is doing in our midst.
Are we listening?
Are we watching?
OUTLINE II
When John and Jesus Disagree and Agree
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Introduction: Note that Luke (as does the writer of the Gospel of John) deals with the "John as Messiah" understanding and lays it to rest. Be sure to play fair with John's vision of what the Messiah would do when he arrived. It is clear that John and Jesus did not agree on the role of the Messiah. John sees the Messiah as a threatener and a judge. Jesus clearly sees the messianic role as suffering and sacrificial loving.
What Didn't Come True: Thankfully, John's vision did not come true. That doesn't mean that John was a total loss. He got their attention. It was John who addressed Jews and called them to repentance. Jews? They were children of Abraham. What need did they have for repentance? John got their attention. Jesus could use that.
What Did Come True: Jesus did agree with John on the need for a new spirit on the part of the Jews. Read John three again and you'll find it there. But his motive power was different. He knew about judgment and its certainty. But he also knew where the truth was. See John 3:16
Conclusion: Both Jesus and John called for change. Their motives were different but the call was the same. And that call is still relevant. Offer it to your hearers.
OUTLINE III
Something for Everybody
Acts 8:14-17
Introduction: Be careful to note at the outset those words "Jerusalem" and "Samaria." These two words set the tone for the entire passage. Review Luke's story of The Good Samaritan, for instance, and recall the circumstances and attitudes that made such a scene possible. Also, turn to John 4:1-30.
Acts 8: Here is a surprising move. The leaders of the Jerusalem church actually send a delegation to Samaria, of all places, and there offer the gift of the spirit to Samaritans. Now isn't that something!
Acts 10: No partiality. Surely so. Review the events that lead old kosher Peter to his new insight. This word is for everybody.
Conclusion: There has to be someone in your audience who actually believes that the message, the good news, is not for them. Offer these insights as a declaration that the good news is for them and invite them to accept it.
The Scriptures for this day point out that in a multitude of ways we are shown who he is.
The prophets of Israel were certain that God would choose someone to be his instrument for leading his people to peace and restoration once again. Their words were so far-reaching and conclusive that the New Testament writers had no trouble seeing Jesus as the one who met their expectations. In these words are the purposes of God made known, revealed, shown forth.
Luke tells of the Epiphany, the showing forth of who he was and is at his baptism. And Peter speaks of Epiphany to the crowd gathered at Pentecost. He lists all the evidence: the presence of the Holy Spirit and the gift of power; his doing good, healing, and overcoming the power of evil. Here he is shown faith and made known.
Perhaps we ought to expand Epiphany. Maybe we already do. After all, aren't we always seeking to show him forth, tell who he is, make him known, and reveal his presence in life. Epiphany does seem to last all year.
OUTLINE I
Servants and Prophets
Isaiah 42:1-7; 61:1-4
Introduction: Review the three Isaiahs. This is a good opportunity to differentiate between the Second and Third. In chapter forty-two it appears that the servant is to be Israel and that it is Israel who is chosen to be God's agent of salvation. In chapter sixty-one it is the prophet himself who brings the message of salvation and restoration. The point is that both are confident that God has acted and will act.
The Servant: Without doubt, the Christian church has finally identified Jesus as the servant. And why not? So much insight about the nature of God's heart and will is revealed by the prophet. Jesus lives it out, not because the prophet spoke it, but because he acted as God would act in our midst. He came and lived out the message as well as speaking it.
The Prophet: Prophets speak. Sometimes they act out their message in dramatic fashion. But they do not embody the message. They speak for God. They tell us about the ways God can be expected to act in our midst. Surely Jesus was no prophet. He was something more. When the Christian church speaks of Jesus and uses the words of the prophets, it substitutes the name of Jesus wherever there is a "you" or a "he." (See John 1:14)
Conclusion: The prophets have proclaimed it. Jesus lived it. The promises are certain. God means for us to know what he is doing in our midst.
Are we listening?
Are we watching?
OUTLINE II
When John and Jesus Disagree and Agree
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Introduction: Note that Luke (as does the writer of the Gospel of John) deals with the "John as Messiah" understanding and lays it to rest. Be sure to play fair with John's vision of what the Messiah would do when he arrived. It is clear that John and Jesus did not agree on the role of the Messiah. John sees the Messiah as a threatener and a judge. Jesus clearly sees the messianic role as suffering and sacrificial loving.
What Didn't Come True: Thankfully, John's vision did not come true. That doesn't mean that John was a total loss. He got their attention. It was John who addressed Jews and called them to repentance. Jews? They were children of Abraham. What need did they have for repentance? John got their attention. Jesus could use that.
What Did Come True: Jesus did agree with John on the need for a new spirit on the part of the Jews. Read John three again and you'll find it there. But his motive power was different. He knew about judgment and its certainty. But he also knew where the truth was. See John 3:16
Conclusion: Both Jesus and John called for change. Their motives were different but the call was the same. And that call is still relevant. Offer it to your hearers.
OUTLINE III
Something for Everybody
Acts 8:14-17
Introduction: Be careful to note at the outset those words "Jerusalem" and "Samaria." These two words set the tone for the entire passage. Review Luke's story of The Good Samaritan, for instance, and recall the circumstances and attitudes that made such a scene possible. Also, turn to John 4:1-30.
Acts 8: Here is a surprising move. The leaders of the Jerusalem church actually send a delegation to Samaria, of all places, and there offer the gift of the spirit to Samaritans. Now isn't that something!
Acts 10: No partiality. Surely so. Review the events that lead old kosher Peter to his new insight. This word is for everybody.
Conclusion: There has to be someone in your audience who actually believes that the message, the good news, is not for them. Offer these insights as a declaration that the good news is for them and invite them to accept it.
