January 4, 2015

Epiphany (Year B)

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

John Wesley

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wesley/notes

Isaiah 60:1

"Arise"—A word of encouragement accommodated to the Jewish, or Hebrew style, wherein, as by lying down, is described a servile and calamitous condition, chap. xlvii, 1, so by rising, and standing up, a recovery out of it, into a free, and prosperous one, as may be seen frequently; Rouse up, intimating her deliverance to be at hand. Here under a type, of Jerusalem's restoration, is displayed the flourishing state of the Gentile—church, under the Messiah. Thy light—Thy flourishing and prosperous state.

Ephesians 3

This chapter consists of two parts. I. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles, ver. 1-13. II. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to God for the Ephesians, ver. 14-21. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to God for those to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his instructions and teachings would be useless and vain, except God did co-operate with them, and render them effectual. This is an example that all the ministers of Christ should copy after, praying earnestly that the efficacious operations of the divine Spirit may attend their ministrations, and crown them with success.

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.Eph.iv.html

Isaiah 60, Ephesians 3; Matthew 2

The readings from Isaiah, Ephesians, and Matthew all proclaim a grand message with wide implications. Although Isaiah acknowledges the reality of the "darkness" and "gloom," he calls for the people to lift their eyes to see the far-reaching effects of the Lord's influence. First, the community itself will be reestablished as the sons and daughters return. Then, the nations, those at enmity with Judah, will bring gifts. The scene painted by the prophet is at once both worldly and otherworldly. The prophet assumes that this reconciliation will take place in this life, in this world, not in a resurrection scene. Nevertheless, the promised reconciliation seems impossible given human nature and international relations. The prophet still suggests an international influence for the people and the overcoming of barriers and animosity.

In the Ephesians passage, the Pauline voice reveals a cosmic dimension to the role of the church. God has had a hidden plan to include all people in the church. This diverse church now speaks to the cosmic forces of evil, revealing divine wisdom.

The well-known story of the visit of the magi displays the significance of the birth of Jesus for the wider world, beyond his role to his people, the Judeans. Does the story suggest that God can use even the Babylonian religion of astrology to bring Gentiles to an understanding of Jesus' significance? Just as the Isaiah passage acknowledges the darkness, so this charming story becomes the precursor to great horror, with the murder of the children.

In January, on Epiphany Sunday, these three passages recognize the evil in creation, yet promise reconciliation among people and the powers that hold creation in bondage. This promise offers hope, energy, and assurance as the church looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities of a new year.

Marci Auld Glass

http://www.marciglass.com

Matthew 2

The epiphany is only the beginning of the changes for the magi. And not all changes are easy. The epiphany of a child born as king in Bethlehem shakes the palace in Jerusalem. The world responds when God breaks into the world—and it is not always peaceful. I invite you to read ahead in Matthew this week and see how the powers of the world respond to the epiphany.

The magi are warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they leave for their own country by another road. But Matthew doesn't say what happens next for the magi.

Do they make it...