Episode 84: Entering Into the Epiphany

In this episode, Derek reflects on the Christian season of Epiphany, a season centered on revelation, light, and clarity. Epiphany always falls on January 6, twelve days after Christmas, and reveals that Jesus is not only the Messiah of Israel, but the King of the nations, the Savior of the world. Derek also acknowledges the painful weight January 6 carries in the United States, recalling the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He contrasts two kinds of “epiphanies” —one that reveals a kingdom of love, truth, and self-giving sacrifice, and another that revealed how rhetorical violence can turn into real violence. Epiphany, he reminds us, is clarifying. It reveals things as they are. The episode then turns to the baptism of Jesus, the central Epiphany moment where God’s revolutionary kingdom is revealed. Drawing on Israel’s story, the Exodus, and the crossing of the Jordan, Derek shows how Jesus reenacts and fulfills Israel’s calling—not through conquest, but through love. In Jesus’ baptism, the Trinity is revealed, and we hear the words that define our identity before God: “You are my beloved.” Epiphany, Derek says, prepares us for repentance by first grounding us in revelation by helping us see who Jesus truly is and who we are becoming in His light. Key Insights Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Jesus as Light of the World and King of the nations January 6, 2021 was an epiphany revealing the danger of violent rhetoric Epiphany shows that revelation is never neutral; light clarifies and exposes Jesus’ baptism fulfills Israel’s story and reimagines power through love The Jordan River connects Jesus to ancient Israel and God’s rescue plan In Jesus, we receive our identity before we perform: beloved sons and daughters Scripture Verses Mentioned in this Episode Psalm 99:1–2 John 3:16 Matthew 3:13–17 Genesis 12 Has Peaceable and Kind been meaningful to you? Support the show by: Leaving a review Giving us a 5-star rating on your podcast app Sharing this episode with a friend Order Derek's new book, Incarnation: 8 Lessons on How God Meets Us, here: https://amzn.to/42jSZAs Did you find this episode helpful on your spiritual journey? Consider helping us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5-Star rating on your podcast app of choice Learn more about Derek’s work as a pastor and author: https://derekvreeland.com Interact with Derek on Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, or Facebook