Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus. In the church it is a season of examining the ways Jesus showed up in the lives of others. We look at his healing and ministry. We marvel at miracles. We long for that kind of immediate change in our own lives or the lives of loved ones.
This scripture is an example. People were desperate to be healed.
17-21 Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke: You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.
God’s kingdom is there for the finding. You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.
Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal. You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning. (Luke 6: 17-22 MSG).
When Jesus speaks, he tells us that it is when we are at our lowest that we will see Him. Why is that? I believe it is because when life is good, we aren’t looking for Jesus to intervene. We aren’t looking for Jesus. We are willing to attribute success and health to logic, hard work, science etc. That is what the world tells us, so that is what we look for. It’s called confirmation bias. We look for and accept explanations that fit with what we already know and believe.
When we are desperate, at our wits end etc, we are more open to the presence of Jesus. He’s been present all along, but we are finally able to open our eyes to something greater than logic.
I have been working on anxiety issues for a very long time. It is getting better, however it has required some concentrated work of late. Then I read this quote from Brene Brown’s latest book, “You are afraid of surrender because you don’t want to lose control, but you never had control; all you had was anxiety (2021).” This was a manifestation of Jesus moment for me. I realized I hadn’t been willing to surrender. I realized that Jesus has been offering freedom, but I was looking in the wrong places. Now I am ready for joy to come in the morning.
How about you? Are you looking in the wrong places? Are you confirming your own biases? How have you seen the manifestation of Jesus? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.