This weekend we celebrate Epiphany - the coming of the Wise Men in Matthew 2. Above is the Epiphany window in our Muskego sanctuary. The Wise Men were the first Gentiles or non-Jews who came to worship the Christ Child. We celebrate that Jesus came to be the Savior for all nations. 

A Savior for All Clans

In the summer of 2020, I preached on our Old Testament lesson: Genesis 10-12. One of my "ahha's" was that the word "clans" used in Genesis 10:5, 20, 31 and 32 is the same Hebrew word used in the promise of the Savior in Genesis 12:3, "All peoples [clans] on earth will be blessed through you."

The clans of the world were united in their plans at the Tower of Babel. “Let us build…” The problem was that God wasn’t part of their plans.

There was another unity at the Tower of Babel. The perfect Unity of the Trinity said, “Let us go down…” The God of Grace, Father, Son and Holy Spirit disrupted their ungodly unity.

The map below gives us an approximation of where the descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth lived. 



It is the God of Grace who then begins to focus our attention on the family of Abraham. It is through Abraham that God’s grace will come to all these rebellious clans. “All peoples [clans] on earth will be blessed through you.” 

In spite of the rebellion exhibited in the Tower of Babel incident, the LORD still desired all people to be saved. We have a Savior who loves rebels like us! Read Genesis 10-12 here. You can watch the sermon on this lesson here.

A Savior Who Offers Our Father the Perfect Obedience We Can't

At the end of our Old Testament reading, Abram, this man of great faith, fails the test. He lies and convinces his wife to lie. A man of great faith is far from perfect. 

The Savior's love for sinners is shown in Matthew 4 as he takes our place, defying Satan's temptations, offering the Father the perfect obedience that we could not.

Even more grace... the Savior calls sinners like us to follow him and proclaim the Savior's love.

May God's amazing grace unite us in fulfilling God's plan to bring every person within our area of influence closer to Christ.

Map Work 

I found a webpage that offers some interesting maps of Jesus' ministry. Check it out here.   

The first map below gives you a feeling for distances in the Holy Land - always helpful. Israel is a very small nation.

The second shows Jesus' travels as he begins his ministry.

The webpage offers many more. Check it out.