11th January 2025
Epiphany: Jesus, Light of the World
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Isaiah 43:1-7 (NIV)
Think of the stars on a dark, cloudless night – small, distant lights scattered across the vast sky, yet enough to bring comfort and direction. Jesus is the brightest of these stars, a light that cannot be hidden, shining not just for a few but for all. Epiphany reminds us that Jesus’ light is meant to be seen by everyone and that we are called to share that light, to be a light that reaches into every corner of the world.
As we celebrate Epiphany, we are reminded of Jesus’ invitation to ‘come and see’ his light –
the light that guides us, brings hope and reveals God’s love to all people. Epiphany is a season that celebrates the truth that Jesus didn’t come for just a few but for everyone. Jesus came as the Light of the World to bring all people into the warmth and hope of his love. And because Jesus is the Light of the World, he calls us to share that light with everyone we meet.
In Matthew, Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). When we follow him, we become like lamps that shine for everyone to see. Just as a city’s lights can be seen from far away, our lives are meant to be bright reflections of Jesus’ love and grace. We don’t keep his light to ourselves; we let it shine brightly, guiding all people to his peace and truth.
Epiphany isn’t only about seeing Jesus’ light – It’s about sharing it. Paul calls us ‘ambassadors for Christ’, messengers who share Jesus’ love and reflect his presence to others. As the Holy Spirit fills us, the light of Jesus transforms us from within, helping us grow to look more like him. We become mirrors, reflecting his love and hope to everyone in need.
Epiphany is a season of discovering Jesus anew, as the Saviour for all people. As we read his story, as we draw near to his presence, our hearts become filled with light. And when we are filled with his light, we have to share it! The more we tell Jesus’ story, the more we experience his love and find our own lives transformed by his light.
As we celebrate Epiphany, let us remember that we are part of God’s promise to bring light to all people. The one who calls us to ‘come and see’ also sends us to ‘go and tell’.
Prayer
Father, let us be like a city on a hill, shining brightly so that everyone can see your love through us. Just as you called Israel by name, in Isaiah, you now call each of us by name, to go forward as Jesus’s light in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This study is an amended transcript of an equipping video to empower and inspire Grace Communion International congregations around the world to live and share the gospel. It has been produced by the Home Office Team in Charlotte, NC, USA, and was first published in the 3 December 2024 edition of the Equipper publication.
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