January 15, 2023 —
Epiphany is a word that bears reviewing. An epiphany is a “light bulb moment” after which you might cry out “Eureka!” The Epiphany was when a big light bulb—a miraculous star—appeared and guided the Magi from the east to Bethlehem to worship the newborn King. In the church calendar the Sundays between Epiphany and Lent are the “Epiphany Season.” During this season further light bulbs turn on revealing just who Jesus really is, namely, not just a man but the Son of God. He reveals Himself in His miracles and through His words. The Epiphany season also focuses on the Gospel going out to all nations and leading them out of darkness into the light.
Our Epistle Lesson reveals very much about who Jesus really is. “For all the fullness of God’s being dwells bodily in Christ,” Paul states, and encourages us hold on to this revealed truth no matter what the world may say: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, which are in accord with human tradition, namely, the basic principles of the world, but not in accord with Christ.” Paul also reminds us of the power of baptism to save us by connecting us to Christ’s death and resurrection. “God erased the record of our debt brought against us by his legal demands. This record stood against us, but he took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
In our Old Testament Lesson we have the “Second Servant Song” following up the “First Servant Song” we heard last week. Here the Lord calls Jesus His “polished arrow” aimed not just as saving the remnant of believers in Judah, but also targeting the salvation of all nations, “It is too small a thing that you should just be my servant … to restore the ones I have preserved in Israel, so I will appoint you to be a light for the nations, so that my salvation will be known to the end of the earth.”
The Gospel Lesson is John’s account of the day after Jesus’ baptism. John the Baptist points to Jesus and calls Him the Lamb of God. Two of John’s disciples follow Jesus and recognize Him as the Messiah. Our Sermon will focus on this Gospel Lesson under the theme: “Behold! The Lamb of God!” He Takes Away the Sin of the World and He Calls Us to Be His Disciples.
This Week’s Lessons:
Isaiah 49:1–6
Colossians 2:6–15
John 1:29–41 (sermon text)
Psalm 40