Third Epiphany

Teleology is the study of purpose. It asks, what is the goal?  The goal of human beings is ‘theosis.’ God made us for Himself—the “two-become-one” in a covenant love relationship.

Jesus said “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 14:12) Jesus prayed “[Father I ask] that they may be one. As you Father are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.” (John 17:21-22)

Division and disorder is not of God, it is a function of chaos. Our Heavenly Father lovingly unites creation in Himself. Seeing the disorder and strife in Corinth and God through Paul asks, “Is Christ divided?” Christ is one, yet in that church there was division.

In our own day and time the division continues. Christ is divided—between Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant, and further between different subgroups in each—Christ cannot be divided, so these very real divisions in His Church are a scandal. Paul exhorts (parakalleo) the church to be of the same mind and thoughts. Until we have the mind Jesus Christ, chaos and darkness.

Israel knew the same sad divisions. United under King David in 1000BC by 922 the Northern tribes had split from Judah, with tragic consequences. After two hundred years the Northern Kingdom, in league with Syria, was in a conflict with Judah. This was the setting for Isaiah 7-9. In 732 BC the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser had conquered Galilee and Transjordan, the tribal lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. Like anti-christs in every age, the Assyrian stood against God and His people. The divisions between Israel and Judah had weakened the nation. Assyria annihilated the Northern Kingdom; they are now called “the lost tribes of Israel.”

But eight hundred years later, Matthew heard Isaiah’s word anew in Jesus. God’s salvation is perfected in Jesus.

Satan and human anti-Christs bring chaos. Human conflict is an attack on the Kingdom of God. The demonic work of dark and loveless “uncreation” produces division and chaos. 

When Jesus appeared in Galilee, God’s promise in Isaiah is heard again. Jesus announces “God is near.” Jesus teaches truth and heals maladies. Jesus’ very presence is light in the darkness.

His light shines and He exhorts us; “Repent. Believe.”

His light shines and He calls us: “Come, follow me.”

To repent, to believe, to follow….this is the way of light and love. It is the way of ‘theosis’…. And it is our eternal purpose.