Epiphany
Epiphany is the time when we review many of
the lessons that deal with the revealing of Christ as
the promised one, as announced in the Advent
lessons. The word Epiphany means "manifestation"
or appearing or revealing. It is not enough to
remember Christmas. We need to tie it together
with the Advent proclamation so we understand the
promised one was the Christ child.
Before Christ was baptized He was unknown. Except for the brief
note about Him at the age of 12 in the temple, Christ was anonymous.
But after His baptism He could no longer be anonymous. The Spirit was
given, thus putting Him on mission. And His mission is, the same as it is
for all us servants, noted in Isaiah 42:6-7 RSV. "I am the Lord, I have
called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I
have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open
the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from
the prison those who sit in darkness."
Once Christ identified Himself as the child of God, He could no
longer be anonymous but had to go on mission.
What about our baptism then? We too, are anonymous until we are
baptized, until we are connected. Once we make the connection, we have
identity and can no longer remain anonymous. Once we are connected
the Holy Spirit is given and He empowers us with His spirit, and sends us
on mission.
Our baptism is our identification with the family of God's people.
And so, in baptism we are to be surrounded by the family, no longer
alone. Our baptism is not some private affair but involves the whole
people of God. We become a part of a family. In the family we are
supported and cared for in our growing up in the Lord.
I am a child of God. You are a child of God. To be a child of God is
to be identified. And when we are identified, we stand for something.
And once we stand for something, we must move to action. We may lose
some friends. We may lose some money. But ultimately we will be
winners. Our baptism is not an isolated event. It is a beginning.
May you be renewed by the knowledge that your baptism makes you
connected to Him and you are now in His family. He is counting on you
to be His flesh and blood today.
-Pastor Starkey
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