Exhortation, First Sunday After Epiphany

Yesterday, January 6, was Epiphany, the beginning of one of the traditional seasons of the church year. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” or “revelation.” Advent celebrates the coming of the Lord; Epiphany, His revelation. We need both. If God comes to us, but remains veiled and incognito, we will never know Him. If we are to be saved, He must show Himself.

Graciously, He does show Himself, in all His multifaceted glory. Throughout His earthly life, Jesus manifests His character at various times and in various ways. Jesus manifests Himself as the light of Gentiles to the magi. He shows Himself as the Bridegroom at the wedding in Cana. He reveals His glory as the Son of Man coming in His kingdom at His transfiguration.

The first Sunday after Epiphany is often reserved for the manifestation of Jesus as Son of God at His baptism. Jesus the Son is the true Israel, which was called the Son of Yahweh. As Son He is also the Davidic king, Israel in person. As Son, Jesus receives the Spirit. As Son, He’s driven into the wilderness to be tempted. As Son, He overcomes Satan. As Son, He gives Himself to death and rises again.

As we remember Jesus’ baptism this first Sunday after Epiphany, let us also remember our own baptisms. We are baptized into Christ, who was declared Sons at baptism, and all of us who are baptized are sons, the true Israel.

As sons, we have received the Spirit of sonship, and are heirs of the Abrahamic promise. As sons, we are called to follow Jesus’ in His sonship – to resist temptation, to overcome the world, to shed our blood for the sake of the brothers.