John 6:29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

This is as simple as it gets. This verse of the day supports what I have been thinking. My thoughts are not always right, I know that. When God confirms that my thoughts are aligned with His word it is reassuring to me that I am on the right path.

Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

The most important part of that proverb is “my son”. When we are allowed to call the God of all creation “Abba Father” we have a relationship that comes before all other relationships.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Who else cried out Abba Father Mark 14:36 And he (Jesus) said, “Abba, Father”…

Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Epiphany allows us to cry out to the Father, Abba Father.

Epiphany is not a word listed in our Bible but if we enter that word in our search engine it will lead you to Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Wise Men which is an example of its meaning.

Man creates words and dictionaries to express how we feel about events and those words can often make things even more confusing. The word alone may not express a correct understanding, the essence of epiphany means “The Manifestation of Christ.”

We define manifestation as an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea.

Jesus is not a theory nor an abstract. He is the embodiment of the living God. Embody means to be an expression of or give a tangible or visible form.

Hebrews 1:3a He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. 

The exact imprint. See the Son, see the Father, “Abba Father”.

Isaiah 16:5 then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.

His throne was established by His steadfast love. We tend to forget that.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

It was His love for us that led Him to obey the will of the Father and die for us on the Cross.

It is not said anywhere in scripture but in my heart I hear, “I would rather die than lose you!”

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

That day in Butler, Pennsylvania a man died because he was protecting those he loved. He did not think of dying, only protecting. He did not know it would cost him his life.

Jesus knew and did it anyway.

The ram caught in the briars did not have a choice as a replacement for Issac when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son. The passover lamb, perfect, loved and made a member of the household before it was sacrificed, did not have a choice.

Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

There was no reason for Jesus to say this to the Father except for us to hear God’s answer, “There is no other way.”

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If we cannot love the one who gave His life willingly, what does that say about us?

The answer to that is ugly. “They do not have any love for God.”

I met a man once who declared “There are many paths to God.” So I asked “Which path are you on?” His silence told me he was on none of them.

If all else fails, take the path of love, it’s His Way.