Matthew 17:1-9- "The Light Has Changed: Transfixed on the Transfiguration"

Synopsis:

Transfiguration marks the conclusion of Epiphany. The Light of the World made flesh changes before the disciples’ very eyes as they see Jesus fully revealed as the Son of God, the who about whom the law (Represented by Moses’ appearance) and the prophets (Represented by Elijah’s appearance) spoke and testified. The Transfiguration is a strange, surprising moment where we finally fully realize the epiphany that things are not always what they seem–the poor, Jewish Palestinian day laborer Jesus is, in fact, the Son of the Living God and the fulfillment of the promise to make one human family from old Abraham and Sarah. The transfiguration is the spotlight of God’s Epiphany on the Eternal Christ made flesh, just before we turn our eyes up the Lenten road to Crucifixion as light turns once again to darkness.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20- "The Light Has Changed: Who Lives, Who Dies, and a Story Worth Telling"

Synopsis:

Moses stands on a mountainside for a second time for the second retelling of the law, and the summation of the law should sound familiar to Christian ears reading backwards who know Jesus’ synopsis of all ethics: love God and love neighbor like you love yourself. Moses offers an every consequence: If you choose life, you will live long, but if you choose death you will surely die. But, the surprising twist is religion is not about rule-following, purity culture, or clean living. Religion is about our relationship with God, our fellow humans, and the earth we inhabit. Living with an ethic of love is a matter of life and death. In the alternate texts for today, Matthew speaks about the importance of reconciliation, and Paul writes about division in the church and the importances of moving beyond “teams” to the unity of the Gospel. In light of Moses’ words, it is our relationships with each other that are a matter of life and death, so let us choose lives which bring the light of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace in all of our spaces.

John 1:29-42- "The Light Has Changed: A Five-Star Recommendation"

Synopsis:

John is the latest Gospel to be written, and by the time it is written the Christian community is so expansive beyond being a small Jewish sect that the writer translates common Jewish words three times for the Gentile audience. How does the movement spread so quickly? From an executed Jewish Rabbi to being a global religious movement? The text shows us. One person uses their relationships to point people to Jesus (John and his disciples; Andrew and Peter), and because they have trust in each other it makes it easier for them to hear Jesus. Once they arrive though Jesus invites them to come and see for themselves. So, did you trust who pointed you to Jesus?

Keywords:

Epiphany, outreach, relationships, evangelism, mission

Matthew 2:1-12-"The Light Has Changed: An Unexpected Origin Story"

Synopsis:

From his palace of comfort and place of privilege, Herod remains seated on his throne. He calls the experts to tell him what the prophesy says about the Messiah’s origin (Bethlehem). In the Acts text from the day (10:34-43), we learn the surprising inclusion of the Gentiles into the new community. The sermon Peter preaches and tells Cornelius to preach is that Christ alone holds the keys of judgment (not Caesar).

Keywords:

Epiphany, Three Magi, inclusion, mission, Gospel, welcome to all

"Questions Worth Asking: Why Baptize?"

Text: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Synopsis: Like all symbols, baptism bears a surplus of meaning for followers of Jesus who follow him through the waters. Baptism is a past, present, and future act. Baptism gives us a tangible act to teach us the failures of our past do not define our belonging to Christ in the present, or our opportunity to walk into a new, hopeful future filled with possibilities.

Keywords: Epiphany, baptism, Baptist, ordinance, sacrament, Kingdom of God, citizenship, peace, justice, love, life abundant.

"Stranger Gifts" - Matthew 2:1-12

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Synopsis: Epiphany is a season of discover and illumination. In Epiphany people begin to realize who Jesus is and God became flesh. These strangers from the East arrive with even stranger gifts for the newborn king. The gifts perhaps symbolize the trifold calling of Jesus as prophet, priest, and king. Gold fit for a king; frankincense offered by priests; myrrh to embalm the body of a slain prophet; strange, but illuminating gifts for the little king offered by strangers from a strange land.

Keywords: Epiphany, calling, vocation, ministry, grace, surprises, strangers.