I Have Seen Theophany

Of all the seasons in the church year, Epiphany is one of, if not the most, sensory season.  Epiphany has to do with seeing, the word (ἐπιφάνεια) itself means "manifestation."  Another word we use for the feast of Epiphany (which falls on January 6 each year) is "Theophany," which means "vision of God." Sometimes we focus too much on our senses though, trying to find God where he has not promised to be, or even thinking God is nowhere near because we can't perceive him.

With our theme this year at Camp Lor-Ray, "I Have Seen Thy Salvation," Epiphany fits right in.  (Of course all Scripture fits together perfectly, and our lectionary reflects that).
I thought I would share a devotion from "Luther's Family Devotions, 2nd Ed." translated by Pastor Joel Baseley from the 2nd week after the Epiphany.  I couldn't imagine a more fitting devotion.  Notice where Luther tells us where God is to be found.

Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The Words which I speak to you I do not speak from myself. But the Father, who dwells in me, he does the words. John 14:10

 Therefore, where you hear the gospel being rightly taught, or see a person being baptized, the Sacrament being handed out or received, or one being absolved, there you can confidently say, "Today I have seen God's Word and work, yes, heard God himself and seen his preaching and Baptism. The tongue, voice, hands, etc., are of men, but the Word and office are actually the divine majesty itself."

So it should also be observed and believed as if one heard God's voice ringing from heaven above, or saw his hands baptizing or giving out the Sacrament, so that no separation or distinction is made between God and his Word or Office given us through Christ, nor are we able to seek God or think about him in any other way.

When we come up to heaven we will see him otherwise, without means or veil, but here on earth you will not see him or receive him without your senses or thoughts, but rather, as St. Paul says, we see him in a dark Word or veiled image, that is, in the Word and Sacraments. It is just as [if they were] his mask or robe under which he is hidden. But he is present there without a doubt, so that he himself does wonders, preaches, gives the Sacrament, comforts, strengthens and helps. And thus we see him, as one sees the sun behind the clouds. For now we could not stand to the see the bright sun and brilliance of that majesty. So he must clothe and veil himself in that way, as behind thick clouds. So it is sure, that whoever wants to see and cling to both the Father and Christ, after he is revealed and sits in his majesty, grasps him through the Word and the works that he does in Christianity through the preaching office and other stations.

Therefore, we should not be ignorant about his body, that we let God, Christ, and his Word be divided and partitioned, and dispute about God as the heathen, Turks, Sophists or the others do concerning his naked majesty. In that, we would depart from the way that he speaks and acts towards us here on earth through preachers, fathers and mothers, etc.; and meanwhile soar into the clouds and meddle into what God himself does or thinks. That's what the devil tells you to ask for and come up with. It is no good spirit. But if you would rightly know how it is between you and God, and whether your way pleases him, then pay attention to this Word, so that it quickly tells you, "Whoever sees or hears me, also sees and hears the Father." So, if that pleases your heart, only look at what Christ preaches and does towards you through his Christianity, through your preacher, father, mother and other good people. Listen to that from your heart and keep clinging to it so that you are immediately sure of the matter. You should and must not doubt it. For what they say to you God is really telling you himself.

But if you want to proceed wickedly and want to ignore this, and through your head inquire how you are with God in heaven, then you are lost. What happens to you then is what you deserve because you refuse to receive it, since you're calling God a liar, and seeking him in another way. For he is there to tell you and show himself to you so they give you assurance of his attitude towards you and he has so ordered every office and station in life in Christianity so the whole world is filled with God's work. You let all of that be pushed aside as if it were nothing and you think, "God is up in heaven behind the angels and is doing something else; how can a preacher, father or mother, tell me about him? If I could only hear and see him myself..." That is called separating and dividing God and his work from each other, Christ and his Word, which one should most solidly hold and bind together.

Therefore, everyone must guard himself against ever again inquiring about God with his own senses and thoughts, but rather learn to hold fast and cling to his Word and act and decide only on that basis, so that he will not fail. Now don't pay attention to anything else but believe that I, for Christ's sake, forgive you all your sins and am gracious, and you are baptized onto that. Be obedient to your mother and father and do what your office and station in life demand. Then you have everything, including God. "Oh," you say, "is that called seeing and hearing God? I thought he was up there in heaven and that I had to have some special revelation from him." No, not so. Rather, if you want to meet him then first see him in the Word, behind his mask so that hereafter you will see him in his majesty. For he will not do anything special for you outside and against his commands, which he has given in his Word.

Altb, VII, 73: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John Chapters 14-16, 1537; cf. AE 24

Now I have found the firm foundation Which holds mine anchor ever sure;
'Twas laid before the world's creation In Christ my Savior's wounds secure;
Foundation which unmoved shall stay When heaven and earth shall pass away. (TLH 385:1)