Beloved People of God,
The feast of Epiphany (“manifestation”), which took place on January 6, 2025, concludes the Christmas season with a celebration of God’s glory revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. In Isaiah and Ephesians, that glory is proclaimed for all nations and people. Like the light of the star that guided the magi to Jesus, the light of Christ reveals who we are: children of God who are claimed and washed in the waters of baptism. We are sent out to be beacons of the light of Christ, sharing the good news of God’s love to all people. Throughout February, we continue our journey through the season of Epiphany, the season of light.
Recently, I read an article by The Rev. Dr. Brad Stragg, which is a reflection on being Stewards of the Light. He shares that after Jesus’ temptation and the calling of his first disciples, Matthew introduced us to the “crowd” that he was gathering:
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (Matthew 4:23–25)
These cured, transformed people gathering with Jesus on the mountainside are the ones with whom he shares the Sermon on the Mount.
Sitting on the slopes of the northern end of the Sea of Galilee just above Capernaum, Jesus and the people could easily see the city of Hippos, a city on a hill located on the north-eastern slopes across the lake. Hippos was one of the ten Roman cities making up the Decapolis. It was the home of the crack Italian Regiment, one of Rome’s elite combat battalions, and the center of Hellenization with an amphitheater, temples to Aphrodite complete with temple prostitutes, and gymnasiums for both wrestling and philosophy. Hippos, like the other Decapolis cities, sought to evangelize the locals to the great wondrous ways of Roman and Greek culture. With its limestone and white marble buildings, Hippos lit up the shoreline during the day and lit up the night sky with its
bright city lights Roman architects intentionally built the city on a hill as a beacon to Hellenization for purpose of converting “backward” people to worship, logic, philosophy, and the Roman gods, especially Caesar.
It’s with this backdrop that Jesus looks out over the people whom he has healed and cast out demons and those who have been faithfully awaiting Messiah’s return. Seeing this transformed people, Jesus announces:
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one, after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)
In stark contrast to the Roman city on a hill across the way beckoning people to give up God and take up the worship of Caesar, Jesus proclaims that these transformed people are a living city on a hill, calling them to let their shine so that the world may see God’s glory through them. Just as New York and Wall Street represent financial wealth, as Washington D C represents power, as Hollywood represents fame, as Las Vegas represents lust and debauchery, as Hippos and Rome represented the Hellenistic world view, so Jesus proclaims that transformed people represent God’s kingdom on earth. If “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” then “What happens in these Galilean villages is to be revealed to the world!” Rather than fear their transformation and hide their light under a bowl, Jesus encourages them to let their light shine so that the world can see the light God brings into the darkness.
This raises two critical questions that I invite you to reflect upon throughout the remainder of the season of Epiphany. Who are the lights you’ve encountered in your life? How have you shone forth God’s light to the world?
Transformed by the gospel, may we continue to be that city on a hill letting their light shine so that all the world might see what God could do through us and may we all let our light shine for God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit!
Let that Light Shine,
Pastor Bruce
Comments