Many Christians around the world celebrate Epiphany, a celebration (Christian Feast Day) that began around the fourth century along with Advent. Western Churches traditionally celebrate it on January 6th, Eastern Orthodox Churches on January 19th.
Most people see Epiphany primarily as representation of the manifestation of God to the world through the Magi’s worship, which revealed that Jesus, the Messiah, was bringing salvation to all people, both Jew and Gentile. Theologians agree that three other manifestations also revealed God and Jesus as the Messiah to the world: the angels who witnessed Jesus’ birth, the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus at his baptism with God declaring the Messiah’s identity, and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana which revealed the Messiah had authority over nature.
Please permit me to suggest another epiphany that is found throughout the New Testament: the tangible and transformational work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit first draws people to a knowledge of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and then to the realization that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This epiphany in a new believer’s life can bring such strong conviction and clarity that it compels one to profess faith with a boldness and power that can only be attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Before leaving Bangladesh, I had an opportunity, along with my wife and parents, to visit a special family who had encountered the Messiah. Their testimony of the persecution they faced by becoming followers of Jesus could only be overshadowed by their stories of boldly sharing with others, their personal transformations, and risking their lives because of their epiphanies. I left their house wanting more of what they had, to return to my first love from my own spiritual epiphany years prior.
In Daniel 6, we read the story of Daniel, who was steadfast in the face of persecution and did not waver in his belief. He was faithful in prayer, and the Lord manifested himself by sending an angel to close the mouths of the lions. Through that story, we see King Darius’s change of heart after “It all starts with an epiphany.” he spent a sleepless night in anguish. After seeing Daniel alive the following day, King Darius had his epiphany:
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel…”
Daniel 6:25-26 ESV
King Darius decreed that “people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever.” In his decree, Darius declared that the God of Daniel “delivers and rescues” and he “works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.” (v. 27) What an amazing epiphany King Darius had because of the work of God in his life and through the life of Daniel.
It might come to pass that someone else’s epiphany that Jesus is the Messiah comes through the testing of our faith as we stand boldly facing the enemy in faith and prayer. It all starts with an epiphany, a realization of and lifelong celebration of Jesus’ manifestation as the Messiah. It is a transformation that can only come through the Helper Jesus promised: a Helper that his Father would send in his Name. (John 14:26) This Helper, as Jesus says, will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance all that he has said in his Word. Let’s pray for the Muslim world to have this epiphany that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, a truth which is so clear to those filled with the Spirit. The Qur’an in Sura 4:171 declares Jesus as the Messiah and a messenger of Allah, who we, as believers, know to be the one, true, Almighty God. May the Holy Spirit draw the hearts of the Muslim world to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as we pray and intercede for them.
I will end with a quote relating to Epiphany from Billy Graham:
Don’t leave Jesus in the manger, don’t remember Him only at Christmas. Instead, learn to walk with Him every day, as you pray and read His Word and ask Him to help you.