“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us.” 1 John 1:3a

January 6 is the day churches celebrate Epiphany, the divine manifestation of our Lord. (At Zion, we will observe Epiphany on Sunday, January 5.) As we move from the Christmas season to the Season of the Epiphany of our Lord, we embrace the manifestation of God in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ as well as the ongoing mission and ministry of His Gospel. It is a good time to focus on the Office of Holy Ministry and on the Church’s collective work of evangelism, outreach, and world missions, as the glory of God in Christ is revealed to the nations in the preaching and administration of His Gospel.

We have been brought into the fellowship of the Church by God’s grace through the blood of Christ. We experience this fellowship in the Divine Service. What we see and hear in the Divine Service we proclaim to others so that they may have fellowship with us.

There are many who do not know the love of God, but you do. God has revealed Himself to you through His Word and Sacraments. And now you can tell others of the love and mercy that you have in Christ. 

We make known the love of Christ through what we do as well as what we say. The love of Christ is made known when we live according to the reality that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we live in thankful obedience to Him and His Word. The love of Christ is made known as we selflessly love others in response to the love we have received in Christ. As you love others, some may ask about the reason for the hope that you have. Or a person who does not know the love of Christ may ask you why you live the way you live. Some may open up to you about fears, anxieties or guilt that they experience. And with the compassion of one who has also experienced fear, anxiety and guilt, you can tell them about the One who takes these from you. You can also offer to bring their concerns to the Lord in prayer on their behalf. If they do not have a church home or pastor to speak with, invite them to Zion and have them contact me. 

Our Lord has made Himself manifest to us, and He continues to make Himself manifest to others through us. That’s why we proclaim to others that which we have seen and heard in Christ. We do this so that they too may have fellowship with us in Christ.