 |
|
     |
|
|
|
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.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 08:19 AM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
