Brothers and sisters, God has brought us to a new year. A traditional Collect for New Year’s Eve states that we commit to God’s mercy and forgiveness the year that has ended, and at the same time we commend God’s blessing and love to the times that are yet to come. As the Holy Spirit abides in us, Christians live each day in the ‘now’, trusting in the eternal Savior Jesus who is, who was, and who will be forever.
January 5 is the twelfth day of Christmas, a sort of ‘Epiphany Eve’. An epiphany could be described as an event that results in a sudden awareness or a moment of insight, clarity, or new understanding. In modern lingo we might say, ‘a light comes on.’ The season of Epiphany traditionally begins with a retelling of the story of men from “the east” coming to visit the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). Detailed reading of the Scriptures indicates Jesus was no longer a baby in the manger but instead many months old. Magi ‘from the east’ arrived to worship Jesus. The men who visited were not kings, and arguably were not so ‘wise’ in terms of knowing God. It is not clear what they understood or believed about Jesus. Nonetheless, the event marks Gentile coming to Jesus to honor Him. Some English translations have dropped the Hebrew word for ‘Look!’ or ‘Behold!’ that occurs in 2:1 and 2:9. The point is, a significant epiphany has taken place. Readers should be alert to the title ‘king of the Jews’ and begin to ask, ‘what does this mean’? ‘What does the title say about Jesus? What kind of king is He? What is His kingdom like? And why would this be important to us?’
During the Epiphany season we will read several additional epiphanies recorded in Scripture, each revealing a bit more about Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will gain additional insights and appreciation as to why Jesus came into the world.
Sunday January 5 we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. We will be substituting hymn #935, a versification of the Magnificat, for the Kyrie and the Gloria Excelsis. Hymns chosen for the day are #409 Hail, O Source of Every Blessing; #403 O Savior of Our Fallen Race; #606 I Lay My Sins on Jesus; and #397 As With Gladness, Men of Old.
Scripture assigned to be read are Psalm 84:1-5, 10-12; 1 Kings 3:4-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; and Luke 2:40-52.
Psalm 84 is a psalm of the sons of Korah, who were descendants of Levi and were a family of tabernacle and temple musicians (see 1 Chronicles 6:1, 22, 33). It is to be performed according to “the gittith”. The meaning of gittith is unclear, but perhaps refers to instrumentation or style. The psalmist speaks of the loveliness of the Lord’s house, probably referring to the temple. The psalmist speaks of the joy and benefit of being in the temple. Among other reasons, there God hears his prayers, and gives direction and encouragement. The psalmist longs to be in the temple once again to sing God’s praises. Many Christians search their works trying to find assurance of salvation and a relationship with God. This leads to arrogance or despair—either we exaggerate the goodness of our works, or we feel as though we have failed at everything. The psalmist would encourage us turn our eye away from ourselves, and recognize the gifts Christ gives in worship as the assurance of salvation and relationship with God. Lord, grant us a desire to be in your house of worship to receive your gifts.
The reading from 1 Kings Chapter 3 reports on an event early in the reign of King Solomon, son of King David. God spoke to Solomon in a vision, saying He would give him whatever he asked for. Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding so he could properly rule the nation, and asked for discernment so he could discern between good and evil. God was pleased with Solomon’s request, and granted him extraordinary wisdom, and in addition gave him riches and honor.
The epistle reading is a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the congregation in Ephesus in the western part of what is modern Turkey. St. Paul frontloads his letter to the Ephesians with a beautiful description of the gospel. He speaks of predestination, the assurance that before the foundation of the world God in His great love had chosen you to be “adopted” as His child, holy and blameless before Him. God accomplishes this by sending His Son, Jesus into the world to redeem you with His blood that your sins would be forgiven, and your guilt no longer held against you. The concept of predestination is often misunderstood or misapplied. It is erroneously concluded that if some are predestined to be adopted and forgiven, then others must be predestined to be rejected and condemned. Scripture declares that God does not desire anyone to be lost. Jesus came to save the world. By His death, Jesus has forgiven your sin, and the sins of every person. Everyone who trusts Jesus’ works and promises will receive the forgiveness He earned for us. If anyone is condemned, it is their own fault for not trusting Jesus. Ask yourself, which sin of yours did Jesus not die for? If you answer (and believe) that Jesus has forgiven everyone of your sins, you are one of His chosen children.
The gospel lesson is a portion of the account reported by St. Luke. Jesus is 12 years old, and in the temple discussing theology with the teachers there. The teachers are amazed at the wisdom Jesus displays, not only in the questions He asked, but also in the answers He gave. He is far wiser than Solomon. When His parents come looking for Him, Jesus explains that He must be in His Father’s house. The original Greek can be translated a bit differently, that ‘it was necessary to be among the things of His Father’ or said another way, He ‘had to be about His Father’s business.’ Mary and Joseph did not understand Jesus’ words. They did not understand why their young son had to be in the temple. Jesus words are a revealing preview of His purpose. He would accomplish the saving work God had assigned to Him. Throughout His earthly ministry people misunderstood Jesus’ teaching ad miracles. People continue to misunderstand the work Jesus needed to do. Years later, when Jesus was crucified and risen from the dead, the Father’s work becomes more evident. Hopefully this an epiphany for you, a new insight into Jesus’ identity and purpose. Notice when He speaks of Father, Jesus is referring to God, not Joseph.
COLLECT: Almighty and gracious God, You have poured into our hearts the true Light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this Light may shone forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please contact me if you have prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
