Epiphanies Must be Followed


The Magi all had an epiphany and followed it.  But what I find to be peculiar about Matthew 2 is the “why” in which the Magi followed it. 

They travel from afar walking across the Jordanian desert.  This would take weeks.  They caravanned after viewing a star in the sky?  What kind of epiphany would it take in your gut to convince your family, your country, or your temple guards that you needed to make a pilgrimage west to see a baby being born, give him the most expensive gift we have to give, travel alone and all you are basing this gut feeling on is the formation of the stars.  And if that isn’t wild enough, you meet at least two others with the exact same story on your journey. 

From a logical standpoint, the odds of this really happening are slim.  But this story brings with it something much deeper than logic.  This story carries the majesty of an appointed epiphany. 

Webster defines Epiphany as a “Sudden Realization.”  The Magi suddenly realize the interplay of God in the world.  Herod upsettingly realizes his life as the Jewish King is going to be short lived; Mary and Joseph realize their encounter with the angel is more than just a woman bearing a child.  The presence of the Magi validates Jesus’ divinity.  It solidifies the majesty found in a baby.  And even the readers of Matthew suddenly realize that the future of the world is forever changed. 

Matthew is invariably saying with this story of the Magi, “Jesus is more than just king of the Jews.  Jesus is king over all people.  All races.  All tribes.  All kingdoms.  Jesus is Lord of All.”

This story of the Magi is just a blip in the greater narrative of Jesus’ life.  But without it, we would be deprived of seeing divinity intersecting with humanity.  We would lose out on the majesty that comes with the birth of our savior.  We would lose out on the validation that God is making things happen in the world.  We would miss the complexities that come with Jesus being the Lord and Savior to all people – not just to the Jews.  We would miss Jesus’ divine spark over all of life. 

This past week we celebrated the sudden realization that because of the birth of Jesus, everything changes.  Life changes.  God changes.  Love changes.  Law changes.  And our salvific narrative changes. 

And all of this happened because three men from a far off place listened to an inner voice saying that something important is happening right now.  Something mysterious is taking place. Something holy is occurring.  Their presence is needed.  They must go.  And if they do, they too will be changed forever. 

Just like to the Magi, God speaks to us.  I am a firm believer that God speaks constantly into our world and we just have to slow our lives down enough to hear God’s voice.  And it can even come on a starry night. 

Never put a cap on how God chooses to communicate.  Never think God only speaks in one way.  It’s up to our own spirituality to choose to listen to whatever avenue is best for us to hear God’s voice. 

But what I know is this, God’s voice is calling, stars are still shining, we just have to be intentional about listening and looking.  In 2012, we’re going to have to be willing to take a chance on a gut feeling.   Because epiphanies don’t mean much if you don’t follow them. 

In 2012, my prayer is we will follow our gut. We will choose a life that listens and moves by the voice of God.  We will be so bold to allow God to shape, change and move us.  We will not be satisfied with our current relationship with Christ but will choose to move and be with the Spirit.  We will embrace the presence of Christ and allow the epiphanies to guide us.  It may not seem logical, but it will be holy.   

For epiphanies don’t mean anything if we don’t follow them.

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