Epiphany
After Christmas, the Christian church enters the season of Epiphany. It begins on January 6th. Liturgically, Epiphany covers the visit of magi to the Christ-child, as well as the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river. In the Lutheran Church, the Epiphany season extends up to Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
The word “epiphany” means “appearance” or “manifestation.” It centers on the manifestation of Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The Magi recognized that Christ a King had been born in Israel. This King, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of the world who takes away the sin of the world. His saving mission extends not just to Israel and the Jewish people, but to Gentiles as well. In other words, Christ is the Savior of the world, Jew and Gentile alike, and He makes no distinction in ethnic or national origin.
It also centers on the baptism of Christ. Christ came to John the Baptist at the Jordan River to be baptized by John. When John saw Christ, he tried to deter Christ, saying “I need to be baptized by you.” But Christ said “It is fitting for me to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness.” That is, Christ was taking the place of sinful humanity, being baptized so that He could be “one of us.” He put Himself under the Law just as we are, so that He could fulfill the Law for us. When He was baptized, God the Father spoke from heaven, saying “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” God the Holy Spirit manifested Himself in the dove that landed upon Christ.
We could speak of one further manifestation that takes place – the manifestation of Christ in our life. He comes to us through the Gospel and the Sacraments to bring His saving gifts to us. We are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ, and we are raised to new life just as He rose from the dead. We hear the Gospel proclaimed to us, and through the message, our faith is sustained and grown by the Holy Spirit. We receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins in the Lord’s Supper. Through these means, Christ continues to manifest Himself to us.
In Christ,
Rev. David L. Putz, Pastor
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (LCMS)
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Good things are happening at Holy Cross! Praise God for that. When we keep Word and Sacrament ministry at the heart of what we do, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sown. As we share the Word, God gives the growth and we rejoice as humble stewards of the God who changes lives and hearts. Help us always, Lord, to keep Your Word at the center of our life together under your Holy Cross!
Please continue to pray for our congregation and each other. Don’t forget to visit our church website www.holycross-crawfordsville.org to find links for all our services on YouTube.