The message: The « Epiphany – God’s appearing to the human, » announces the revelation of Jesus Christ the Son of God to us human beings. « Epiphany » (Gr.) means « a manifestation or an appearance to our sight of what has always been hidden ». In the Scripture, it specifically refers to the manifestation of Christ, the Anointed One of God, to the Magi. Actually, God does appear to us through His Son, « Christ, who is the image of God » (2 Cor 4:4). The question is, « What does this mean for us in terms of God’s plan of salvation for us human beings who had been separated from Him by sin”, and this, according to His words: “your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” Isa. 59:2. The second question is, “Is it therefore possible to meet God?” For even Moses could not look at Him, as God’s Word told him, “You cannot see my face; for no man can see me and live” Exo 33:20. Sinful human beings can’t bear seeing God’s holiness, for the holy and the unholy are incompatible, for the unholy shall pass away in the presence of the glory of His holiness, as it is written, “For the Lord your God is a devouring fire” Deut. 4:24a. Yet, the purpose of God’s revelation to us sinful human beings is not for us to perish, but to save us. He did say: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” Isa 45:22. In His mercy, God allowed Himself to be seen, so that His sight was no longer deadly. In so doing, He gave us His Beloved Son as a ransom for our sins (1 Jn 2:2). Therefore, the Messiah, who was proclaimed and preached to come, has indeed come and reveals Himself to man. He is no longer a God to be sought, but a God who has come to us, and appears to save us (Mt 1:21). This is the great assurance He gives especially to those who believe, because the glory of God is revealed to and for us, as it is written: “What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is” 1 Jn.3:2b.
Monday 03rd : God manifests himself to the human.
“come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” Isa 2:5.
Reading 1: Jn 12:31-36. Reading 2: Isa 2:1-5. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 2:5.
Introduction: God manifests Himself to human; that is such an astounding thing for us, yet the Lord says: “See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?” Jer 32:27. Just as we have sought Him, yet He had already sought us, and said: “I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that did not call on my name” Isa 65:1. God’s self revelation is such a desired thing, as our hymn says it: « Manifest Yourself, as you did at Gennesaret » FFPM Hymn 630.
Tuesday 04th: God manifests Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.
“It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known” Jn 1:18b.
Reading 1: Col 2:6-12. Reading 2: Jn 1:14-18. Preaching 1 (Free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 1:18.Introduction: There have been and there still are people who say that there is no God, because they believe only in what they see with their eyes. But our faith is not based on what is seen, for it is written: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Heb 11:1. So, meeting Jesus by faith is the essence of salvation. For Jesus said: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” Jn 14:11a. Therefore, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” Jn 14:9b.
Wednesday 05th: God manifests Himself in the form of human.
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us” Jn 1:14a.
Reading 1: Col.2:8-15. Reading 2: Jn.1:14-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 1:14.
Introduction: God manifests Himself in the form of a human being, and then speaks in our human way. For it is His humanity that allows Him to speak to us His message of salvation, as it is written: “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” Heb 1:1-3.
Thursday 06th: God who manifests Himself, a light to His people.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come” Isa.60:1a.
Reading 1: Jn 8:8-12. Reading 2: Isa 60:1-6. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 60:1.
Introduction: Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” Jn 8:12. The Messiah has come to bring the light, so “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” Isa 9:2a. Therefore, the word of the Lord says: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light” Eph 5:8.
Friday 07th: God reveals Himself as the Savior of His people.
“from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel” Mt 2:6.
Reading 1: Jn. 8:12-15. Reading 2: Matt. 2:1-12. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 2:6.
Introduction: Human are like sheep, who have weaknesses and easily go astray; this, notwithstanding the fact that the Lord has chosen them. Therefore, God really cared for them (Ezek 34: 11), so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to gather and take care of them. And He says: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” Jn 10:11. Blessed are the sheep who have Jesus as their Lord and Shepherd, for « no one shall snatch them out of His hands » (Jn 10:28b).
Saturday 08th: Jesus Christ, God who manifests Himself to all people.
“in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son” Heb 1:2.
Reading 1: Jn 15:22-27. Readingy 2: Heb 1:1-4. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Heb 1:1-2.
Introduction: God reveals Himself and speaks to people in so many different ways, and the basis of all of this is that each person will meet Jesus, God made flesh, who dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). He also comes to us today and speaks through the Word of God accompanied by the Holy Spirit: for “he”, Jesus said, “will testify on my behalf” Jn 15:26d. Believe His words, for whoever believes in Him will be saved.
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