An Epiphany

Epiphany was the manifestation of God in human flesh, God with us. And God's manifestation to not just the Jews, but to the Gentiles. Yesterday was Epiphany Day and orthodox Christians around the world celebrated it. 

Much of my life has been spent trying to rise above. The message that was communicated to me growing up was, "Make something of yourself." "Don't settle." "You are better than this." and "Be somebody." Many have received that same message and it is prevalent in our society.

And yet, the God of the Universe, humbled himself and made himself less and willingly took on this frail human form. He allowed himself to experience emotions, pain and exhaustion. He came under the care of two human parents. He was betrayed by friends who were fickle. And ultimately was tortured and died.

Why would He do that? We go out of our way to numb those negative emotions and events in our lives. Yet, the King of all, embraced them in order to provide a way for us. Jesus, the Son, was obedient even as His path pointed to the cross. 

Why is our focus on getting ahead and being better than the next when the playing field was leveled at the incarnation? God came down and provided a way for the beggar and the lord, the criminal and the pious, the Jew and the Gentile. None of us can approach God no matter how good or no matter what our position. It is only through Christ's incarnation, death and subsequent resurrection and ascension that we can rise one bit above the position we are in.

That is the good news. We are all on the same level. We all have the same opportunity to come to Christ. He died for all. For God so loved the WHOLE world that He came down. An epiphany for us all.