Our Revealed King

Written by Dcn. Kelsie Meyers - St. Andrew's - Lewis Center, OH

Revelation is a powerful word.  When something is revealed it is made known suddenly with a flair of drama or surprise.  Matthew offers us this dramatic revelation at the start of his gospel.  After giving us a list of Jesus’ Jewish credentials in his genealogy, and a brief synopsis of the angel’s visit to Mary and Joseph foretelling Jesus’ birth, the first people who meet Jesus are astrologers from the East. They read the signs in the sky and followed the bright star to the Christ child (Matthew 2:1-12).  God revealed the truth about Jesus to these outsiders and their response to God’s revelation was appropriately dramatic. They responded with overwhelming joy. This was a joy that could not be contained.  In my mind’s eye, I see the Magi whooping and hollering in front of Mary and Joseph’s house, letting out great belly laughs, grabbing and hugging each other at the sight of the star’s light shining on the house.  They knew the star had led them to the King they intended to find.  Once the Magi entered the house the scene was no less dramatic.  They looked at the boy Jesus and immediately recognized his kingship and responded with worship and humility, kneeling before him.  This is revelation. These Magi came looking for a King, and they found their King. 

After reading the story of the Magi year after year, it is easy to make the three kings a part of our mental nativity alongside the animals, shepherds, and manger. But, Epiphany invites us to receive God’s revelation again.  This baby, born into Jewish history, is the Light to the nations, the King over all creation, through whom God’s glory is revealed. The Spirit makes the mysteries of God known to us as He lives in us (1 Corinthians 2:7-12). Our work is to be open to receive the revelation that God wants to give to us.  As we meditate on the Magi’s response to Jesus, allow the Spirit to shine his light in your hearts to reveal what is getting in the way of us receiving a deeper revelation of Jesus. Our sorrows, disappointments, attachments, and unforgiveness all become the darkness that God’s light shines into.  As Jesus’ Kingship is revealed to us, we can surrender these things to his lordship and be set free.

Jesus’ glory is revealed to us, and it will be revealed through us. As we come to see Jesus more fully, we become the light that points others to him. We are surrounded by seekers, like the Magi, trying to make sense of this life.  God wants to reveal Himself to them, and we have a part to play.  As the stars of the sky were a map for the Magi, our lives, our witness, our testimony of Jesus freeing work, points seekers to Jesus today. May the Spirit of God breathe on us again and offer us deeper wisdom and revelation of the King we serve.  May we be moved to overwhelming joy and humbly join God by offering ourselves to join in his revelatory work in the world.