The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:1-6)

I've used this anecdote before, but it is funny. So, hear it for a second time.

In the movie "Hook," Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) is a plotting character looking to beat Peter Pan (Robin Williams). His sidekick, a pirate's mate named Smee (Bob Hoskins) hatches an idea and attempting to borrow from Hook's language, says, "I've had an 'apostrophe." 

Hook, looking puzzled, says, "A what?" Smee repeats he's had an "apostrophe." Once Hook realizes what he's referring to he says, "You mean you've had an 'epiphany!'"

Smee's idea, his "apostrophe," was a revelation that Capt. Hook had been going after Pan directly. Why not go after him through his son, who was alienated by Pan who had grown up, forgotten he was Pan, and became a corporate lawyer. His son was missing some of the joys of childhood because dad was always on the go. Hook liked the idea, the revelation, the epiphany. 

Today, we observe "Epiphany" officially as a church on the church calendar even though our worship on Sunday centered on the passages for Epiphany. Epiphany is a revelation as to who the Christ-child is in Matthew 2, as the wisemen seek him. This visit opens the eyes of the world as the "bright light" shines over where the child lives in Bethlehem. The heavenly light shone on the Christ, revealing him to people in this world apart from those who should have known him.

We use the word epiphany in theological terms to refer to this revelation, much like Paul's epiphany that the Christ, the Messiah from and for Israel, is also for the rest of the world. His epiphany, or revelation, he carefully notes, is from the Spirit. Paul has become an advocate for this truth, that Christ came for people like you and me, and not just the Jews. To give credit to this, Christ chose Paul, a Jew among Jews, and his Spirit has revealed this truth to Paul. 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Paul will argue, preach and pray for the world throughout his ministry. We give thanks for this revelation, this epiphany to Paul. We give thanks to God, who reveals himself in his Word to us daily. We pray he uses us to reveal this truth to those who are lost in this world.