December 30 Epiphany

Luke 2:36-40 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
 
AS we conclude this study of Jesus’ birth from Luke 1-2, we do so in the spirit of Epiphany. On the calendar, this is the 12th day after Christmas. “Epiphany” means to reveal. It was established through years of church tradition as a day to celebrate Christ revealed to the world through his birth and the Wise Men from the East going to him in Bethlehem about two years after the nativity. Over time, Jesus’ birth and the Wise Men’s visit has been joined at Christmas. The Eastern Orthodox Church still celebrates both together on January 6. It is their “Christmas”.
     I pray that your journey toward Jesus is a constant process through which the Holy Spirit reveals the Christ more personally to you. With that, here is one epiphany for you: You can live the same kind of life Jesus did.
     Yes, it’s true. Jesus lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit is available to live inside you and change your life. Jesus is recorded to offer this epiphany to us in John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
     Pause and consider this remarkable revelation. No, we won’t save souls as Jesus did, but the Holy Spirit is available to empower our lives as he did Jesus’ life. How does this happen?
     It begins when you confess your sins to Jesus. You empty your mind of sin as you repent. You then acknowledge Christ as your Lord. This means he is the highest authority in your life. In that relationship, confess with joy and love to the world, “Jesus is my Savior. He’s the One who cancels all the debt of my sins.” Pray to the Spirit to live disciplined into all of God’s Word. Pray for special gifts and revelations to be a witness to the world. Then see what God’s Spirit will do.
     Jesus has proclaimed a remarkable promise. I think we disbelieve this amazing revelation from our Lord more than any words we hear from him. But remember, “You are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you.” (1 Corinthians 3:16) The Spirit came upon Jesus to empower his ministry. As you confess Jesus, the Spirit has come upon you to do the same. Live in faith every day! Call on the Spirit to heal, to restore, to reconcile, to redeem and to recreate. Remember, when you are Spirit-filled, you will be sin-empty. Jesus also said it this way in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.” 
     In the Spirit’s power, I pray each day for you is a day of epiphany. As you grow in love of God, he will reveal more and more the wonders of his love.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your great revelation of the gospel. Thank you, Spirit, for your empowering presence in my life. In Jesus’ precious name, may I love you more. Amen.