Friday, January 22, 2016
Matthew 24:27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
AN EPIPHANY LIKE NO OTHER
When Jesus walked on the earth two thousand years ago He looked like any other man. There was nothing about His outward appearance that caused people's heads to turn and say: "Here is the eternal Son of God!" "This is our all-powerful Savior!" True, there were snippets of heavenly glory which discerning people could see in Jesus when He performed His miraculous signs. There was a special instance when He granted three disciples an epiphany of His majesty for a moment on the Transfiguration Mount. For the most part, though, He kept His glory "under wraps." He did this so He might carry through to completion His mission to serve us in lowliness, even to the point of enduring the accursed cross.
The day comes when Jesus' glory (every last snippet of it!) will be witnessed by everyone. He'll hold nothing back! For unbelievers it will be scary (knowing the fate that awaits them in hell); but not for His dear believers. Those who have grounded their hopes in the God-Man, Immanuel, will look on Him with adoring eyes and hearts brimming over with joy beyond all telling. They'll be blessed to publicly acknowledge Him as their King most wonderful. All this by grace. Glory be to Jesus!
Sun and moon shall darkened be, Stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine, All will see His glorious sign;
All will then the trumpet hear, All will see the Judge appear;
Thou by all wilt be confessed, God in man made manifest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 134:4)
