The First Day after the Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord
Posted on January 7, 2026 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 4:12-17 (NKJV)
4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Devotion
John preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt. 3:2). And now, in today’s reading, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Even a cursory observation will reveal that they preached the same message! The entire life of believers is one of repentance, confessing their sinfulness and trusting in Jesus at all times.
Without the promise of the Gospel to direct men to trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, this world is only full of darkness. “In this way Scripture calls the natural man simply ‘darkness’ in spiritual and divine things (Eph. 5:8; Acts 26:18). ‘The light shines in the darkness (that is, in the dark, blind world which neither knows nor regards God) and the darkness has not comprehended it’ (John 1:5)” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration II). The darkness of man’s effort to keep the Law cannot provide salvation. The darkness of the human heart cannot produce new pure and godly desires. The darkness of a land without eternal life leads only to despair.
The arrival of Jesus Christ is the inauguration of a great Light. Jesus is the Light of the world. The preached message of John directed us to trust in the Light saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The preached message of Jesus pointed to Himself saying, “Today the Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The preaching of the faithful pastor is “Repent and believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”
Collect: O God, Who by the leading of a star didst manifest Thine Only-Begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, that we, who know Thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of Thy glorious Godhead; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
