7th February 2024
God’s revelation of his love
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”
Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV)
The Christian holiday of Epiphany celebrates God’s manifestation to the world in the birth of Jesus, the baptism of Jesus, and the first miracle that he revealed at Cana. These events clearly show to us that Jesus was the Son of God and that his appearance was the promised revelation of God’s love and salvation for us all. God was doing something new, and it was not kept a secret, but shown to all mankind. His love for us was not something new, for he loved us before we were even born. The newness was that the time had come for God to do what he had planned to do from the beginning of time: to bring us all into his loving circle, into his fellowship, into his family.
Growing up in Southern California, the high school scene was nothing warm and inviting for me. We all had to wear uniforms, in that, what we had to wear was uniform. Dark blue or black skirts or pants, and white shirts. This was meant to prevent divisions, but it was a total failure because some of us were on a department store budget, and some could afford a much finer fare. If you had money you were included into their circle, and if not, you were excluded from their social life. God does not exclude us by what we can afford, or what we look like, or what our social lives reveal. Whether you are Jew or Gentile, man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, God includes us into his life. He ensured that connection through the birth of Christ, and his inclusion into humanity while fully keeping his divinity. This is a new and wonderful thing.
Jesus did not come to just observe but to enter our world fully. He came to experience our lives first-hand. He entered our darkness with his glorious light to show us the way to live, the way to love, and the way home to God. As he was washed in the waters of his baptism, we too were washed by the living water: Jesus Christ. We are included into the life of Jesus, just as he entered ours. The miracle at Cana (John 2), was a direct call for us to pay attention to who God is and what he has done and is now doing. All around us are the miraculous works of God’s hands. We are the work of his hands. What has God not touched, not created, not had a hand in, in our life? I have always thought that if we could look deep enough into creation, we would see the words ‘I Am’ stamped on everything. I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. I am the vine. I am your shield and your reward. I am the good shepherd. I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the resurrection. I am God Almighty. I am Holy. I am with you always. I am the Lord your God. I AM!
Prayer
You are all of these things God and more. You are all we need. I praise you, in Jesus’s name, Amen
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church