Dear friends in Christ,

In this church season of Epiphany we reflect on the way in which Jesus is “manifest” or “revealed” as the Son of God, the Savior long expected and predicted by the people of Israel.  The lessons we are hearing on Sunday tell us how some people had moments of realization and how some people had their lives changed by Jesus.

Epiphany is a good season to consider how our lives are different, or should be different, because of God revealed in Jesus.  The turning of the New Year tends to make us reflective anyway.  We routinely resolve to be better this year than last.  One of our best human attributes is to strive for improvement, even excellence, in our lives.

Let us ask our selves and each other “How is Jesus manifest in our lives?”  Can people tell, by looking at our lives, that we are followers of Jesus?

Christians have always been called beyond the simple standard of “I’m basically a good person.”  Jesus sets our standard in the Sermon on the Mount: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  (Mt. 5:48)

We are called to be much more than another animal on earth.  Through Jesus we have been made children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus.  We do not achieve perfection in this life but we can grow continually in our following Jesus.

Recently a radio preacher asked how we know if we are doing well in Christ.  We don’t get performance reviews or report cards.  His answer was that we get a report every day if we are in the word – if we are in the Bible.

In a moment of snobbery I thought the preacher was being simplistic.  (Preachers are often the harshest critics of preachers.)  Then I realized that the preacher is exactly right.  The Bible is the  practical guide for how we manifest Jesus in our lives. 

There are the basics:

            The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17)

            The Summary of the Law (Mt. 22:37-40)

Sometimes we forget that Jesus gives us a new commandment to love one another (John 13:34).  Just before he says that, he shows us what he means.  He acts as a servant washing the disciples feet.  I John 3:18 puts it this way: “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”

Then there is the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” Mt. 28:19 & 20)  We really are called to share our faith openly and eagerly and always with love.

Epiphany calls us out to manifest Jesus in our lives.  Drinking deeply of the Scripture helps us know what we are to do.  We will not achieve the perfection of Jesus in this life. but that perfection can grow in us.

Epiphany will lead us to Lent, when we repent for the ways we fall short.  Lent will lead us to Holy Week and Easter when we remember that Jesus has died for us and risen again.  At Easter Jesus supplies the difference and makes us perfect.  Epiphany calls us to renew our commitment to living the perfection that we have received from Jesus.

                                                                        Your Brother in Christ,

                                                                        Wilson +