THEOLOGICAL COMMENTARY

By the Rev. Dr. Peter Toon

Epiphany – journeying by faith to a known goal

In contemporary “spirituality” a lot is made by some of “journeying” and keeping a journal of daily feelings and religious experiences. However, much of this emphasis on one’s journey is not specific on such basics as from where the journey began and to where the journey is headed! Regrettably, it can be more about the experience of being en route to wherever one may be going than what is there at the end of the road as the goal of the effort.

In contrast, when the wise men, the sages of the East, set off on their journey Westwards they knew where they were going and for whom they were looking, even though the specifics were not clear until they got near to their destination (Matthew 2). No doubt they had both uplifting and depressing experiences on their long journey; yet they kept going in the one direction because the goal of the journey was what made the journey necessary. They intended to see and worship the One born to be King of the Jews and they were not satisfied until they could present to him their precious gifts and offer him adoration.

On the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) and on the days following it those who use use the Prayer Book pray:

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy-only begotten Son to the Gentiles:….

We read the biblical account of “the wise men from the East;”  we meditate upon it and we marvel how non-Jews could be so inspired and so dedicated in their determination to see and adore the Messiah of the Jews, whom they came to see is also the Savior of the world. We note the sacrifice and time that they were prepared to dedicate to this task; and we compare it with what we are prepared to make and give—and in comparison we feel ashamed, but also inspired.

Mercifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The sages knew Jesus the Messiah by sight and by faith; but we know him only by faith. Certainly we can know about him by education, instruction, reading and study; certainly we can be very well informed about his titles, commandments, teachings, ministry and saving work; but in and above, and through, this knowledge about him we must know him by faith—that is to be practically and experimentally (experientally) in touch and in fellowship with him, trusting him as Lord and Savior. To know God requires knowledge about him from his self-revelation but the real knowing is by faith, a saving faith that works by love.

In this mortal life and in this evil age, the baptized people of God are on a journey, and it is a journey which has a goal, a real goal, and it is a journey in which faith  in the Incarnate Son of God is the primary means of staying on the road, which is a narrow way towards the end of that road. The end of the road is to gaze upon the glory of the Father as it shines in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ and to serve the Holy Trinity unto ages of ages. For inside the gates of heaven faith will be fulfilled in sight of Jesus and hope will be fulfilled in the beatific vision.  As the star led the pilgrims from the East towards the Savior, so the revealed word of God as taught in the Church of God, our “Mother”, teaches the people of God to walk by faith in the light of Christ Jesus  towards the land of promise. There they will taste the glorious fruit of perfect communion with the Godhead, that is with the Person of the Father through the Person of the Incarnate Son by the presence of the Person of the Holy Ghost. And they will be immersed in ETERNAL LOVE which is the essence of the Divine Nature.

           The “fruition of thy glorious Godhead” is the GOAL and herein is and will be contained everything to satisfy creatures from everlasting to everlasting.

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