Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we find ourselves in the second week of Epiphany, we are reminded of the great revelation of Jesus as the Light of the World. This season of Epiphany is a time for us to reflect on the ways God is made known to us in Jesus and to consider how we can more fully follow in the light of His revelation.
One of the critical themes of Epiphany is the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. This is the message proclaimed by the wise men from the East, who followed the star to Bethlehem to worship the newborn King. The wise men were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, and their visit was a sign that the light of God’s revelation was not just for the Jewish people but for all nations (Matthew 2:1-12).
As Lutherans, we take comfort and guidance in the Bible, especially the confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the ONLY way of salvation. Bible passages like Romans 3:22-24 state: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Additionally, The Augsburg Confession, which is one of the foundational texts of the Lutheran Church, states in Article IV, “Of Justification”: “Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in his sight.”
As we reflect on this revelation of Jesus as the Son of God, let us also consider how we can share this message with others. Jesus calls us to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and we are to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This means that we must be active in sharing the Good News of Jesus with those around us, whether through our words or actions (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15).
In this season of Epiphany, let us strive to walk in the light of Jesus’ revelation and to proclaim His goodness to the world. May we be filled with the grace and the love of our Lord and Savior, and may the light of His revelation shine brightly through our lives.
In His service,
Rev.Dr. Richard Blue Jr., Pastor
