When I was a child, I assembled a plastic model of Columbus’ sailing ship the Santa Maria. It was only about six inches long but I was very proud of the way it rode on its plastic base, with the waves swirling around and the wind billowing the sails. My father helped me colour the seas and the sails and get the decals in place, then he left me to finish it. I attached the flags and banners, streaming out behind, and proudly put my handiwork on display on my bedroom dresser. Not long afterward, my cousin, two years older, visited. After ten seconds in my room, he walked up to
the model and right before my eyes, turned
every flag and banner around 180 degrees—and I let him. He was right and I knew
it instantly. The wind fills the sails and blows flags, streamers and everything
else, forward!
Let’s turn to a Bible story that affects me similarly. The Apostle Peter was in Joppa when he got a call to come and visit the Roman centurion Cornelius in Caesarea. Armed with some background information he had received in a vision, Peter and some friends made the day-and-a-half hike to Caesarea, and arrived at Cornelius’ door. Cornelius was greatly honoured to have Peter come, and he had gathered his relatives and closest friends (God-fearers all) to hear what Peter had to say. As Peter told them that, “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name,” at that instant “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” As I understand it, they saw instantly that Peter was right—they believed him, and were forgiven, redeemed, “saved”.
So just what is an “epiphany”? Merriam-Webster gives multiple definitions, all clustering around “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.” It seems to be something of its type that happens only once. I never again need to learn which way flags blow. And those friends and relatives of Cornelius never again have to learn what Jesus is about. Whatever they may learn of the details of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection, they know without any doubt, that he forgives sins.
Christians down through the ages have often told us of that sudden illumination, that sudden knowing of what is true and right. The Apostle Paul, on the road to Damascus, was blinded by a light but instantly knew it was “the Lord”[1]. More examples:—Saint Augustine (“Remember not our former iniquities…You convert me to Yourself.” )[2]; John Bunyan (“Blest rather be, the Man that there was put to shame for me! );[3] John Newton (“I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” )[4]; C.S.Lewis (“When we set out I did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did.”)[5]; myself, knowing Jesus is real and falling on him for rescue; and even my four year old son, as he tucked his head under the covers of a hospital crib and simply “asked Jesus into his heart”.
We know Jesus’ character—we know He is true. The best thing we can do is cry out like Peter, as he was about to drown, “Lord, save me!” or say, as Jesus recommended from the cross, “Father, forgive me!”
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