Paul’s Epiphany Sermon to Titus
For those who like annual calendar religious ceremonies my calendar has Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, and Epiphany for the past three Saturdays. Epiphany? What is that? In some religious traditions it comes after the 12th day of Christmas to celebrate the visit of the Three Kings from the east to see him who has been born king of the Jews (Mt. 2:1-12). The Greek word epiphany means to appear or make manifest. It is not used in Matthew’s story but is frequent in Paul’s last letters, Titus, 1 & 2 Timothy. I asked myself, what if we followed the liturgical calendar and observed this Sunday as Epiphany what scriptures would we read and what lessons would be taught?
Read Titus 1:1-4 – God’s promised salvation plan has now been manifested (ephanero) in his word through the preaching entrust to Paul by the command of God our Savior. Lesson: we must teach and preach God’s big plan of salvation.
Read Titus 2:11-15 – The word epiphany occurs two times in this passage. God’s grace has appeared (epephano, 2:11) bringing salvation for all people through God’s Savior who gave himself for us to redeem us and purify us as God’s people. The first Epiphany is the cross of Jesus. It trains us to renounce an ungodly way of living and to live godly lives in the present age. It teaches us to wait for the second appearance (epiphano, 2:14) of Jesus. The church lives between these two epiphanies. They effect changed lives and good works.
Read Titus 3:1-8 – Paul expands the training for good works and life style that follow the appearance (epephana, 3:4) of God’s mercy and loving kindness. We are not saved because of our works done in righteousness but are saved by God’s mercy experienced in the washing of regeneration (baptism) and renewal by the Holy Spirit, so that we are justified by grace. Is it too much to say that an epiphany occurs when in response to the preaching (1:3) of God’s mercy in the cross (2:11) and in anticipation of Christ’s second appearance (2:13) an individual believes and is washed, receives the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, and becomes part of a community zealous for good works? The appearances of God must appear in our personal lives and church mission.
—Tom Yoakum