Epiphany, a Call to be Faithful

Jesus was revealed as Christ the Lord to the lowest among humanity in the Jewish world: shepherds. (Luke 2:8-14)

They didn’t just say, “Cool!” and go on their merry way, watching wayward sheep.  They didn’t keep the news to themselves, a “knowledge is power” idea or even fun fact for Jewish Jeopardy. 

No, they acted upon what had been revealed to them and they did it promptly.

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”   16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.   

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:8-20)

Epiphany—revelation—comes with a responsibility to use our open eyes, believe with open hearts that which is True, and moreover, a responsibility to act on the Truth that has been revealed to us. 

Today, on this “Three Kings Day” or “Epiphany” we should consider the Magi from the East, pagan astrologers, who also came to worship the Christ who was no longer a newborn but a child.  The Magi were overjoyed.  They worshiped immediately.  They brought gifts of great value for their day on their journey and presented them immediately.  One thing they did not do when they saw His star was to say, “That’s nice” and sit at home doing nothing.

When revelation happens, we ought not ignore the importance of what has been revealed…and the trust we have been given with a responsibility to be faithful. 

1 Corinthians 4: 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. … 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Today’s prayer thought: What did it mean to the shepherds and the Magi to be “proven faithful” with revelation of the Truth?  What did faithfulness with this trust require of them? What did it cause by way of actions in their lives?  What should it do in yours?

Lord Jesus, we praise You that You revealed the Father to us. We thank You for this high privilege! We ask, Lord, that You would take the light of revelation being given in our lives this day and You would help us to be proven faithful with this trust. May we never take revelation of Your goodness lightly. While we recognize that Your revelation during Your earthly ministry was on a level never seen again after Your ascension, yet we have Your Word. May we never ignore the revelation of Your Truth. May we never yawn with complacency or refuse to give revelation the full weight You intend. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, may we be proven faithful to You and to Your will, and that we would earnestly and immediately seek You in order to worship You, bringing our everything to You–whether it be our material possessions, our allegiance, our time, our voices, or our very lives. We ask that You would use our faithfulness for our good and Your glory. Amen.