Epiphany

Readings: Isaiah 60v1-6; Psalm 72v1-15; Ephesians 3v1-12; Matthew 2v1-12.

Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

A Word: Isaiah’s prophecy tells of a time when we must arise and shine, to lift our eyes and look, because the glory and light of the Lord will appear to dispel the darkness that covers the earth and its peoples. Through Isaiah, God tells us that this is a time when nations and kings will be drawn to the bright dawn of the light. A time when sons and daughters from far away will gather together. A time when people from Midian, Ephah and Sheba will arrive on camels to proclaim the Lord, to praise God and give gifts of gold and frankincense. This is a time of radiance as hearts delight and rejoice.

The psalm is a prayer asking God to send his Son of God to come in righteousness as the eternal, almighty and gracious King. For when God comes to judge all people, judgement will be with a finely tuned moral compass of justice, decency and honour. Judgement that will bring peace to the world by crushing oppressors and violence as well as redeeming the lives of all in need. For God is coming to defend the weak and the poor, to deliver the children of those in poverty and to preserve the lives of the needy. The psalm foretells that the time prayed for is one when all kings will fall down and all nations do service to the one true King. This will include kings from Tarshish, Seba and Sheba; and those from Sheba bring a gift of gold.

The Gospel tells of the time when Isaiah’s prophecy and the psalmist’s prayer were fulfilled. This was when wise men travelled from lands in the East to search for the child born to be the King of the people of Judea. For the wise men had seen the star that shone at the time of the new King’s birth and they had come to pay him homage. The prophecy of old was at last fulfilled when the wise men found the child Jesus with his mother Mary and showed him the respect, reverence, honour and worship they knew was His right and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

As we look back through the ancient scriptures, we can see that Gentiles were included in God’s Divine plan to save all people. For the Kings and nations spoken of by God through Isaiah were Gentiles and the Kings we hear about in Matthew were Gentiles who came to find the one and only true King of the people of Judea. In the letter from Paul to the people in Ephesus, we are told that God has made known through revelation that Gentiles are now included in the boundless riches of Christ. For Israelites and Gentiles are now members of the same body, together are heirs to the promises of Jesus and have access to God through the gospel and faith in Jesus.

Let us pray: Almighty God, you have made your plans and purposes known through your prophets and psalmists, through your apostles and evangelists, and through the witness of your Church. Today may we be drawn by your light, may we discern your presence and see in your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. Lord lead us by faith to behold your glory. Amen

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