LeStourgeon Online

Epiphany - God Wants Us Too

This past Sunday was Epiphany. This is not a day widely celebrated by Baptists, but it should be. Of all the traditional Christian liturgical feasts, it is the most concentrated on missions and the need for personal evangelism.

Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Christ. More to the point, it celebrates the fact that the Christ was manifested to the Gentiles. Even as a baby, Jesus was the Messiah who would die for the sins of the whole world, not just for one race or nation or people. Traditionally, Christians are to meditate on the meaning of Christ’s manifestation to the gentiles and what it means for our responsibility to make him known throughout the earth and to all peoples.

I have just recently begun to explore the celebrations and meditations of Epiphany and shared a few of my insights in last Sunday’s sermon. I’ve actually never heard a preacher preach on the subject of Epiphany. If you have not either, then take a listen to my offering here. The audio is not top-notch, but you don’t mind so much toward the end.

My favorite section is this:

“The mystery is that the gentiles are fellow heirs of the promises of the Messiah! What do we, who live in Camp Verde, Arizona have in common with the the Chinaman who lives on the other side of the world? the African who still dances his traditional dance? the tribal people in the jungles of South America? We are all non-Jews! We are all Gentiles who live in lands that have for ages been covered in darkness. We share the kinship of those who have had no hope. But now the light has come, and as it has come, it has come for everyone - and we say, ‘Hallelujah!’ We may be late to the feast, but, by God, we’ve got a seat at that table.”

To God be the Glory. I hope you enjoy it.

Posted by blestou on January 8th, 2008 — Church Life, Review, Ministry, Daily Life, Doctrine, Culture, Uncategorized