The season of Epiphany elaborated through the Old Testament, Psalms, Gospel and the epistle lessons for the season points and calls you and me, and the church as vehicle for epiphanies. On Epiphany Day, the light guides the three wise men to the birthplace of Jesus. This was followed in Luke’s depiction, how the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in form as a dove. The lesson is that the incarnation of the Spirit as a dove goes beyond the symbol of gentleness, but that God can use anything to reveal His glory and purpose. From the first Sunday after Epiphany to the Transfiguration, the reflection is that we are part of God’s redemptive world, created to revealing the power and glory of God according to psalmist declaration, ‘until the whole Earth is filled with God’s glory.’

We are created to be cloth with divine presence in order to reveal God’s purposes and power in every areas of our spiritual and natural world. Lack of Epiphany points to the world’s present division, degradation and corruption, and church decline. The epiphanies of God is being suppressed, hence this season provides opportunities for us to renew our commitment to reveal the glory of God in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Using the words of Joseph Sittler, ‘all nature is the theatre of God’s grace,’ epiphany is a platform of relationship with God and other human beings. Epiphany, soar with hope reveals to humanity who Jesus Christ really is. Epiphany contradicts hopelessness. It is an uncovering that allows the light of truth to shine for us and through us, leading us to reveal God’s power to the weak. The season of Epiphany connects us to spiritual light and growth with potential to release one from the winter ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ (SAD). Lack of the light of Christ in our personal lives and in our churches may also promote ‘Christ Deprivation Disorder’ (CDD). The reflection is that, you and me, and the church specially  represents epiphanies of God’s reality, ‘the light to enlighten the gentile nations.’ The season of Epiphany calls us to spiritual destiny, from baptism, transfiguration, into death and resurrection with Christ. The lesson of Epiphany calls us to experience personal change and transformation through the revelation of the glory of God. Epiphanies as transforming experience and opens doors for the new purpose in life just as a bright star led sages on a pilgrimage and also raised a personality like Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, born Michael King Jr – January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968.

Martin Luther King Jr, an American Baptist minister ‘is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using non violent disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.’ The famous speech Luther gave on August 28, 1963, about a dream that inspires a generation beyond a colour blind world lives on especially in a world divided and bleeding with immorality. Luther, a vehicle and implement of Epiphany was inspired by Jesus’ Epiphany, testimony and revelation of God’s love to mankind. Luther offered hope in the midst of hopelessness ‘not just of a better after life, but of freedom here and now.’ He spoke to the challenges and issues of the day, gaining attention and hearing from the poor, the outcast and the marginalised. Luther’s last message before his assassination in Memphis reveals his passion for Biblical Christianity, compassion to the poor, and call on the preachers and leaders to become a vehicle of Epiphany. Luther said, ‘And you know what’s beautiful to me, is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It’s a marvellous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and say, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Somehow, the preacher must say with Jesus, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor.” The reflection on Luther as a vehicle and implement of Epiphany is very clear in his message urging preachers and leaders to be ‘compassionate as God is compassionate’ about righteousness, justice, and unction to function as Spirit-filled anointed preachers and leaders.

Luther’s last message resonates with the compassion expressed in the ministry and activity of Jesus as marked by his inaugural appearance in the synagogue of Nazareth on the Sabbath. Jesus states: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Luke 4:18). Just as there are a host of vulnerable people who populate the society depicted in Luke’s story to whom Jesus brings healing, liberation, forgiveness, and wholeness, Luther’s message brought revelation of God’s care, value, freedom, healing and  compassion for the poor and most vulnerable in the society.

In expectation of the inauguration of the United State of America 45th President, Donald Trump and Gambia next President, Adama Barrow, Luther as a vehicle and implement of Epiphany calls and leads us to sober reflection on the consequences of building ark of love and freedom rather than wall of division, discrimination, and hatred. The season of Epiphany not only leads to lent, it also calls for leadership with sober manifestation of God’s compassion that leads to a lifting of those who are lowly and outcast in our communities. Luther, as a vehicle and implement of Epiphany ‘challenges the  lifestyle and values of the leaders of nations’ and people just as Jesus’ Epiphany and testimonies calls for a spiritual and ‘a  dramatic transformation of the political economic and social forces of the society.’ The discipline of Epiphany renew us to distinguish between what we want and what we need, to become more aware of the need of others and to respond to it sacrificially.

Prayers: Let us pray that Presidents Donald Trump and Adama Barrow will be a vehicle and implement of Jesus’ Epiphany. Let us pray with the Psalmist ‘Send forth your Spirit Lord, renew the face of the earth!’ And pray too that we may ourselves be part of the answer to this prayer.