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A Light for All


Epiphany is when we remember the magi's visit to see baby Jesus. Epiphany means "manifestation." This day is a celebration--not because of the gifts given to baby Jesus--but because of what God has done through Jesus. Through Jesus, the divine glory has been made manifest. Through Jesus, God's glory has been made known to all. What this really means is that now the world finally gets to see what God is truly like.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where  is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" . . . they set out; and there ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:1-2a, 9)

 If you're an artistic type who's interested in Christian art, light is the traditional symbol for Epiphany. . . . the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2).But as I kept reading this passage this week what stood out to me is the search. The most recurrent them in literature is--who am I?--the search for identity. Can't you relate to that? Throughout our lives, we search for meaning. We search for truth. We search for hope. We search for love.

The truth is, this Christian life is a journey. We don't just arrive at the promised land. We struggle to get there. We pass through dark places. There are times we are threatened and feel afraid.

The real purpose of a story is about the transformation of a character. The focus of this Christian life shouldn't be about how to get saved and go to heaven after you die, instead it should be about the new creation.

Epiphany: God's light has come into the world, showing us how to love and how to live.

Jesus' birth makes God's glory known. The light is for all people. The magi are outsiders. They're from another country. They're from a different religion. But this new baby king is a light that is being revealed to the whole world.

As we read the life of Jesus, we're going to see Jesus shatter stereotypes and cross boundaries as he goes to those who are considered outsiders. He brings us into belonging. He gives us purpose. Jesus is for the world, for all nations, for all people.

Without conflict, there's no story. Where's the conflict in this story? The conflict is competition. Herod raises the question, "Who will you serve?"

Herod shows us that deep inside of us is a darkness that craves power and control. If we're not careful, if we're not self-aware, we'll try to control things and events and we'll even try to control people. So really Herod's actions should make us question, "Who am I worshiping?"

In this story, God is making an announcement: Jesus, the true king, has come into the world. And make no mistake about it, the light doesn't come from a star, it comes from a life. A life that was lived in first-century Palestine A life with a light that shines.

And that life was buried just outside Jerusalem, but the light didn't go out. The resurrected light still shines.

Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me . . . will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

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