Epiphany 2 (year C)- John 2

This year, like the 1662 BCP and unlike the 1928 BCP, the Gospel for the Second Sunday after Epiphany recounts the miracle of the water turned into wine  (John 2:1-11).  Many Anglicans and others associate this event with the Solemnization of Matrimony. Certainly, this story does show that Christ graced the wedding with His presence and blessing, and there are times when we do well to focus on that connection. However, the central point of the story in John's Gospel and for the Epiphany season lies elsewhere.

The key issue is Christ's action and His disciples' response to Him. The miracle is a sign of who Jesus is. He is God's anointed, and He is Lord over creation. He transforms the purification waters of the Mosaic covenant into the best wine of the new covenant. He manifested His glory, "and His disciples believed on Him" (John 2:11). 

Although the disciples were slow to grow in faith, here they made an appropriate response. They saw that God was working through Jesus in a unique way. The disciples responded to this epiphany or manifestation of God in faith. May we also respond by faith in Christ!

Epiphany 1 (year C)- Luke 3: 21-22

 The Gospel for this First Sunday after Epiphany, Luke 3:15-22, points to one of the oldest themes of Epiphany. That theme is the epiphany or manifestation of divine glory when Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.  Luke tells us, "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22 KJV). 

This event involves all three Persons of the Holy Trinity. By coming to John to be baptized, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and shows His dedication to His ministry. Jesus needs no purification, but He does receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on His human nature as He began His public ministry. And the heavenly voice acknowledges Him as the Son of God. This moment is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It points ahead to His whole public ministry and work for human salvation. It also calls us to respond to Christ in faith.

Epiphany- Matthew 2: 1-12

 There are many things that we can think about at the Feast of the Epiphany, especially about the story of the Magi or Wise Men in Matthew 2. Of course, these Eastern scholars and holy men were intelligent and learned in the disciplines of the time. In particular, they had a good knowledge of the skies. They also seem to have been people of natural goodwill and religious longings for redemption.

Yet, Matthew 2 shows that all their natural capacities only carried them so far. They needed more than their natural knowledge to find the Christ Child. In Jerusalem, they needed guidance from Jewish scholars of Scripture. Although many of these Jerusalem priests and scribes were not always spiritually sensitive, they did pay attention to Holy Scripture. And the Wise Men needed to learn from Scripture. The Judean scholars of Scripture pointed them to Micah 5:2 where the prophet speaks of a great new ruler born in King David’s hometown, Bethlehem. The Wise Men were only able to complete their pilgrimage with this Biblical basis.

Thus, natural knowledge and hope are not enough. They can not in themselves bring us to the Savior. Like the Wise Men, we need guidance from Holy Scripture. The natural world and our human nature can help point us toward our King, but we need more specific guidance from the prophets, evangelists, and apostles inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible. Our Savior is not some unidentified light in the skies; our Savior is the One spoken of by the Scriptures. Jesus Christ is not some vague idea; He is the personal Incarnation and Revelation of God. He is the One born in Bethlehem, the same One later crucified and raised from the dead at Jerusalem and ascended into heaven. The manifestation of God suggested through nature must find completion in the specifics of divine revelation.