Epiphany A glance at the Liturgical calendar reveals that today is Epiphany. For some, this date is also called Old Christmas. However, the two are not the same. Old Christmas is a hold over from when the Julian Calendar was changed to the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. The Gregorian Calendar was designed to more nearly match the true length of the year (approximately 365.25 days). It is coincidental that the date falls on the oldest celebration in Christian historythe visit of the magi. This was celebrated even before any record of a Christmas celebration can be found and dates back to the second century. Another interesting piece of trivia is the word epiphany is not actually found in the Bible. I added the word actually in this sentence because not all religious comments we might read are factual. For example, in preparing for this message, I read an article written by Dr. Taylor Marshall. Dr. Marshall is a well-known Catholic Theologian. In his article, I read: The word epiphany comes from the Greek ἐπιφανεία, pronounced epiphaneia. The verbal form means to appear or to be made manifest. Epiphany is thus sometimes called The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The Gentile Wise Men are the first fruits of Gentile worship for the King of the Jews. In this article, I looked at the scripture cited for the Greek word for epiphany. Guess what? It s not there. Instead I found the Greek word ἀποκαλύπτω (ap-ok-aloop'-to): to take off the cover, i.e. disclose: reveal. (Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). This may seem to be splitting hairs but the two words are not identical and it shows how some Bible terms that we have heard all of our life may not be found in the Bible. 1
The word epiphany is a word which may be familiar to us and we may use it today. According to the dictionary (Merriam Webster) epiphany means: (1) a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. (2) an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking. (3) an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. Sometimes we refer to it as that Ah-ha! moment. Matthew begins his gospel account of Jesus with what may be called a cure for insomnia. Chapter one contains over three hundred words that trace out the genealogy of Jesus from the time of Abraham. So, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah (Greek Christos or Christ), fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17 NASB) Once Matthew maps out the family history of Jesus, he then explains the nature of Jesus birth and that Joseph had a dilemma that required divine intervention before he could accept Jesus as his son. We are aware of the angelic visit. From that point, Matthew skips over the actual birth of Jesus and move to a time that may have been as much as two years after His birth. Many of the nativity scenes that we see during the Christmas season are often inaccurate in that they have the magi and the shepherds visiting Jesus on the night of His birth. There are four books of the New Testament that are called gospels and tell of the life of Jesus on earth. The oldest gospel, Mark, omits His birth and early childhood. John presents the birth of Jesus from a theological and spiritual perspective. Only Matthew and Luke mention the birth and Matthew only gives the birth one sentence: And Joseph awoke (Lit. got up) from his sleep and did as 2
the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin (Lit. was not knowing her) until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25 NASB) The story of Jesus, in Matthew, begins in the second chapter. Let s read the first twelve verses of the second chapter of Matthew and see what we may learn from this revealing of the child Jesus. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi (A caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science) from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah (or Christ) was to be born. They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL. Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him. After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house, 3
they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground (Lit. prostrate) and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12 NASB) Magi were a caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science. In some places, they were called magicians. There is no indication that they were royalty, nor is there any indication that there were three of them. We assume three because of the gifts mentioned. These men, using astrology, follow a star (or some heavenly sign) to find a king. Jerusalem is the capital of Judah so they first go to Jerusalem to find the king. A king has been born? Herod heard this and was not pleased. In fact, Matthew tells us that it was troubling news for the whole town. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. We also see that Herod the king was not up to speed on prophecies concerning the Messiah. When he heard the news from the magi, he gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah (or Christ) was to be born. The magi travel on to Bethlehem and the star leads them to the house where Jesus and Mary are staying. They go in and fall prostrate to worship Jesus. They give costly gifts and then listen to the warning from God and return to their country without telling Herod where to find Jesus. We could continue with the scripture in Matthew to learn that children were killed by Herod because of the magi listening to God. However, that may be a lesson for another day. Today, we will stop at the visit of the magi. 4
What can we learn from this story? What possible meaning can it have for us over two thousand years later? In this account, a child is born to an unknown peasant girl in a village that most likely had a population of approximately 300 people. Some men of science (magicians) pack up expensive gifts and travel from a foreign country to worship the child. Why? We started this morning talking about the word epiphany. We also mentioned the Greek word that has become associated with this word. The words both point to a revealing. The discovery of something that illuminates. The prophecy from Isaiah that was a part of our Call to Worship this morning speaks of the fulfillment of a prophecy. Let s read this scripture again. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:2-3 NASB) These magi were not a part of the nation of Judah. They followed a light in the nighttime sky to find the child Jesus. They followed the light, found Jesus and worshipped Him. For them, finding Jesus was that Ah-ha moment- their epiphany. We do not have sufficient time this morning to explore the light that guided the magi. However, we will look at a few passages that speak of that light. John opens his gospel telling several things about Jesus. The two main points we need to remember are that Jesus is the word of God and that Jesus is the light. David tells us in the 119 th Psalm that God s word is our light. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 NASB) 5
The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130 NASB) Our final passage this morning is found in John s first letter. As you may remember, this passage is my favorite passage found in God s word. We will begin reading in 1 John the first chapter and verse 5. This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:5-9 NASB) Jesus is the light shining in the darkness of a sin filled world. The magi saw the light in the dark skies and followed that light to Jesus. It was revealed to them that the king of the Jews was the king worthy to be worshipped even by Gentiles. On this Epiphany Sunday, have we followed the light of Jesus to find our Ah-ha moment? Have we come to find this light that cleanses us from sin? Are we walking in that light? 6