Monday, January 6, 2014

Reflection: Arise and Shine (January 5, 2014)

Epiphany Sunday
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

If you’re a morning person trying to spread some new day cheer, you might call out “Rise and shine” in a cheerful voice to wake people from sleep and encourage them to get the day started. But “Rise and shine” could also be a grouchy command to get people moving from someone who’d rather have stayed in bed himself. In the same way, the call found in Isaiah 60:1 to “Arise and shine” can be taken by us as an encouraging call to take our place in God’s amazing work in our world or a burdensome command to toil as a believer in place that is hostile to us and our message. Just as the intent of “Rise and shine” is found in the person calling it out, we find the purpose of the call to “Arise and shine” in the One who has spoken it to us.
 
God’s call to “Arise and shine” is rooted in the realities of our world: “darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples” (Is. 60:2). It doesn't gloss over the brokenness that sin has worked in the institutions, relationships, and people in our lives. Nor does it suggest that being light in the darkness of this world will be well received by those who dwell in darkness and may even prefer that darkness to the light of Christ. However, this calling is not meant to be a dreary and burdensome chore, but a joyful task in which we share with a God who delights in delivering people from darkness — just as He has delivered us. He assures us that our work is not in vain by telling us that “the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light” (Is. 60:2-3).

Epiphany is the celebration of Christ making Himself known to all people. However, the people around us have moved on from their Christmas activities, packed away their artificial lights, and continue to live in the darkness of sin, death, and hopelessness. And while it’s true that Epiphany officially ends the Christmas season, it is actually a continuation and extension of Christmas as it brings the light of Christ to the world and it includes more and more people in His revelation. In His Epiphany we witness sin forgiven, death overpowered, and hopelessness dispelled with the everlasting peace of Christ. In His Epiphany, we experience the light of Jesus driving the darkness out of our lives and bringing an end to the dark night of despair over the guilt of our sins, the fear of God’s judgment, and the prospect of everlasting condemnation. The glory of the Lord has risen upon us. Whatever darkness remains in our lives and in our world must yield as we bring His light and love to those who live without the life, hope, joy, and peace that we enjoy. Arise and shine!


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