The twelfth day of Christmas is also known as the ‘Feast of the Epiphany.’ This word means ‘revelation.’ In the Christian calendar, Epiphany marks the day that Jesus was revealed to the Gentiles (non-Jews) through the visit of the magi. We looked at their story in Week 5, Day 5: Integrity.
There are lots of different words that we use in English to refer to revelations. Depending on context, we might talk about having ‘an epiphany’ or ‘a light-bulb moment.’ We might refer to something being ‘unmasked’ or to ‘the big reveal.’ Some might even use the word ‘apocalypse’ which, if you didn’t know, is another word for an ‘unveiling.’
Jesus’ arrival on earth was a moment of revelation for who God is and what he’s like. It was a surprise twist in the history of the universe—yet far from the end of the story. As Christians contemplate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we find we discover more about God, his love for us, and his life in our lives.
When people gave names and titles to Jesus in the New Testament, they were all trying to find a way of saying who he truly is. They used words like:
- Saviour
- King
- Great High Priest
- Mediator
- Son of God
- Son of Man (as in, human one)
- The Word
- Anointed one (which is, ‘the Christ’ in Greek or ‘the Messiah’ in Hebrew).
These words have their meanings deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Now, having read this series, I hope that you’ll better now understand why the New Testament writers used these words of Jesus.
But of course, we don’t have to use words and phrases from the Old Testament. We can use our own. What would I call Jesus? Here are a few thoughts:
- The truthful leader.
- The compassionate mediator.
- The dependable judge.
- The seated one.
- Word weaver.
- World bearer.
- Soul reacher.
- Death breaker.
- Leveller of the proud.
- Giver of fire.
- Cradler of the weary.
- Maker of rest.
A short look at the Bible
Today we’re continuing a little further into John’s gospel, John 1:19–31, and reading a little snip from Matthew’s gospel, Matthew 3:13–17.
To baptise someone is to immerse them.
Jesus’s baptism marked the time when Jesus stepped into the public light as an adult. It would be another 40 days before he started teaching, but at his baptism, John and the voice from heaven announced Jesus for who he was.
John called him the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ God the Father called him, ‘My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’ The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove.
It is not as if Jesus needed baptism. John baptised people as a way for them to demonstrate that they were turning away from their ways of sin. Jesus, on the other hand, had never sinned. But still, Jesus asked to be baptised.
Christians take Jesus’ action as an example to follow, though different churches place different meanings on baptism. For some, the water of baptism is a symbol for washing, much like it was in John the Baptist’s ministry. For others, a person passing into water and up out again is a symbol of death and resurrection. The baptised person ‘dies’ to their ‘old self’ and old ways, and rise again to participate in the life of Jesus. Throughout all denominations, baptism is seen as a sign of membership in the church.
There are many varied experiences of church today. Some are born into a Christian community and never leave it; others had no Christian upbringing and later join a church. Others find that, for whatever reason, there’s isn’t an option for church that seems to work for them.
Whatever we may say or think about church, and its place in our lives of faith, one thing is inescapable from the story of Jesus’ baptism. God wants to get to know us through Jesus, and wants us to get to know God through Jesus.
That is why he came.
Carol: Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Written in Latin in the 5th century CE, by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, this beloved carol meditates on the first chapter of John’s gospel. It was then translated into English by H W Baker and J M Neale in the 19th century. The lyrics are accessible on Hymnary.org.
Meanwhile, this rendering by the St Martin’s Chamber Choir was my favourite on YouTube. (The song is 4:30 long, even though the video is over seven minutes.)
Invitation to pray
We each pray in our own way; some of the best advice I had was ‘Pray as you can, not as you can’t.’ So I offer an invitation to pray – not an instruction.
What name or title for Jesus stands out to your most? What name or title would you give him? Talk to him about it.
All posts in the series can be found via the tag Xmas2020.