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FOCUS VERSE: “the gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” — Ephesians 3:6

PRAYER OF PRESENCE: Dear Lord, help me to be present for all you have to offer in this moment. Amen.

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 3:1-12

HYMN FOR REFLECTION:
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_FLuqRjENc 

Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast

  1. Come, sinners, to the gospel feast,
    let every soul be Jesus' guest.
    Ye need not one be left behind,
    for God hath bid all humankind.
  2. Do not begin to make excuse;
    ah! do not you his grace refuse;
    your worldly cares and pleasures
    leave, and take what Jesus hath to give.
  3. Come and partake the gospel feast,
    be saved from sin, in Jesus rest;
    O taste the goodness of our God,
    and eat his flesh and drink his blood.
  4. See him set forth before your eyes;
    behold the bleeding sacrifice;
    his offered love make haste to embrace,
    and freely now be saved by grace.
  5. Ye who believe his record true
    shall sup with him and he with you;
    come to the feast, be saved from sin,
    for Jesus waits to take you in.

REFLECTION

I hope you won’t take offense at me saying that the Bible is full of surprises. As I read the chapters and verses of this sacred book, I am constantly struck by the twists and turns in its narratives. You don’t have to dive too deep to see examples of this: Adam and Eve, the couple created for one another, not only turn their backs on their Creator but also on each other. Cain and Abel, children of this perfect couple, mark the tragic beginning of sibling rivalry and the first fratricide. Then there’s Noah and his sons, Abraham and the tangled relationships with Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac. Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob—family drama on a whole new level. The story continues with Joseph and his brothers, David and his family, Solomon with his endless collection of wives, and just about every judge and prophet. And of course, Jesus and the disciples—each story filled with unexpected turns.

These stories transmit a deep humanity that is both relatable and surprising. Yet, in every narrative, we are reminded of something profound: the God who created the universe deeply desires to be in relationship with us, God’s very good creation. Despite our flaws, failures, and frequent missteps, God remains steadfast, calling us into deeper fellowship and divine purpose.

But of all the people we encounter in the Scriptures, I find Paul to be one of the most intriguing. Sometimes I joke with friends that after Jesus ascended to heaven and looked at what the disciples were doing, He decided to enact a Plan B—and thus Paul is transformed through a dramatic encounter with the Christ he once swore to persecute. This former Pharisee, zealously devoted to persecuting the early church, becomes the unlikely apostle to the Gentiles, proclaiming the very gospel he once tried to suppress. If that’s not surprising, I don’t know what is!

Every year, as we approach the Feast of Epiphany, I’m reminded that this celebration is to carry with it an air of surprise or unexpected revelation. At its core, Epiphany is about the unveiling of God’s plan—a plan that surpasses human expectation. The Magi, pagan astrologers from the East, come to worship the Christ child, a startling reminder that God’s love extends beyond the boundaries of Israel to embrace all people.

Paul captures this same spirit of surprise in Ephesians 3:1-12. He speaks of a “mystery” that has been revealed—a mystery that Gentiles, once considered outsiders, are now fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of Christ Jesus. This revelation isn’t just a theological abstraction; it’s a radical reordering of how people understood God’s kingdom. The walls dividing Jew and Gentile, insider and outsider, are torn down. All are invited to the table of God’s grace.

This radical inclusivity is beautifully expressed in Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast.” Wesley’s words echo the heart of Paul’s message: the invitation to God’s table is for everyone.

“Come, sinners, to the gospel feast,
Let every soul be Jesus' guest.
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bid all humankind.”

Wesley’s hymn reminds us that God’s grace knows no boundaries. There is no prerequisite to approach God’s table, no need to clean ourselves up before we come. The feast is prepared, and all are welcome—Jew and Gentile, saint and sinner, rich and poor, insider and outsider.

As we reflect on Paul’s words and the message of Epiphany, we are invited to embrace the mystery of God’s grace. It’s a grace that surprises us, a grace that shatters our expectations and calls us to welcome others as freely as God has welcomed us.

So, what does this mean for us today? Perhaps it challenges us to reconsider who we think belongs at God’s table. It calls us to examine our own hearts and ask whether we’ve been barriers or bridges to the gospel feast. Most of all, it reminds us that we too are recipients of this astonishing grace, called to share it freely with a world in desperate need of God’s love.

In the end, the surprise of Epiphany and the message of Paul is this: God’s plan has always been bigger than we imagined. God’s love is deeper than we deserve, and God’s table is wider than we can comprehend. So, let us come to the feast—and invite others to join us.

CLOSING PRAYER:

All glorious God, we give you thanks:
in your Son Jesus Christ you have given us every
   spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. You chose us, before the world was made,
   to be your holy people, without fault in your sight.
You adopted us as your children in Christ.
You have set us free by his blood,
   you have forgiven our sins.
You have made known to us your secret purpose,
tovbring heaven and earth into unity in Christ.
You have given us your Holy Spirit,
   the seal and pledge of our inheritance.
All praise and glory be yours, O God,
   for the richness of your grace,
   for the splendor of your gifts,
   for the wonder of your love.

— Desmond Tutu (1931-2021).

WEEKLY PRACTICE: Jan 5 - 11 (Sun - Sat)

Confession: Releasing and Seeking Forgiveness in Prayer

Let this week be an opportunity to find hope in letting go. When we confess our sins, it is more than a statement. In fact, while a part of our liturgy every Sunday when we receive communion in worship, when we seek forgiveness we humble ourselves and open ourselves to be able to do more than we thought possible. The preferred practices and patterns of life have room to take root within us when we find freedom from our past failures and shortcomings. It’s like cleaning a home of junk food, when all that’s left are things which are good and pleasing to our bodies then there is plenty of room in the mind to take on the healthier habits and practices already available to us. 

May the forgiving power of grace abound and sin no longer make a home in your heart and mind as you confess in your prayers before God and one another among people of faith. Amen.

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