This year, the Season of, “Epiphany” starts on Sunday, January 6.  “Epiphany” is a strange word. In one context, it means to have a revelation, or come to an understanding.  So, sometimes, we hear someone say. “I have just had an Epiphany. Now, I finally understand.”

In the spiritual realm, “Epiphany “ means to have saving faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and in that faith, to also understand, that Jesus is your personal Redeemer, the very Son of God.

In another context, Epiphany is when a King comes to visit, to be in, with, and amongst, His favorite people. When this happens, there is joy and happiness, and a lot of rejoicing, singing, and celebrating. A good example of this is Palm Sunday, when Jesus the King of the Jews, made His Triumphant Entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem. Then, His servants laid down palm branches and sang, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the Highest.”

When the King of Kings and Lord of Lords comes to be in, with, and amongst His people, He always arrives in humbleness and humility. On Palm Sunday, He arrived riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Nowadays, He reveals Himself in the waters of Baptism, the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion, and the words of a common language in the sacred Scriptures.

As the King allows His servants into His presence, it is an act of mercy. In the Scriptures, to have mercy upon another is to have compassion upon them, because they are trapped in a bad situation or circumstance. It is so bad that they cannot set themselves free, and they cannot attend to their own needs.  So, they depend upon another to attend to their needs from the outside. This is having mercy. We, and the world in which we live, could not exist without the mercy of our God. The Gospel Readings appointed for the Sundays in Epiphany will reflect these themes.

So now it time for a few question about you as a servant and Jesus as Your King:

Is Jesus Your King, the One who rules over you and your life, or do other earthly and worldly entities exercise power and authority over you?

Jesus the King always arrives in humbleness and humility. Do you expect to see Him only in His power and might?

Is your King, a God of  love and mercy, or only angry and Judgmental, seeking punishment?

Perhaps it is time to have Jesus as Your King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Have great January and happy New Year ,

Pastor Brad  Rick