As mentioned last week, January 6 marked the official date for Epiphany (again…stressing that Jesus is the saving Light of the world for Jews and Gentiles alike). Since Epiphany officially comes on a fixed date (January 6) and Easter is a moveable festival, the Epiphany season will be longer or shorter depending upon the date of Easter. It is possible to have nine Sundays after the Epiphany or as few as five Sundays.
The Epiphany season serves as a bridge between the Christmas and Lenten seasons. The truth emphasized at this time is that Jesus, who came into this world in the form of a servant (today’s Old Testament), still at times lets His glory shine as true God (today’s Gospel). To some degree, all the Scripture readings during this season present Jesus’ deity as “shining forth,” although He often cloaked it during His state of humiliation. Yet, Jesus revealed His divine nature through His miracles and in His authoritative preaching. Instead of merely proclaiming, “This is what the LORD says,” Jesus proclaimed about Himself, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:14-21).
The final Sunday of the Epiphany season comes on Transfiguration Sunday. On that Sunday, Scripture previews the divine glory of the Savior hidden beneath the form of a servant; Jesus especially gives this glimpse of His divine glory before His final act of humility on Good Friday.