Christ Church, Falkirk

First Reading: Psalm 139 v1-5, 12-17

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6 v12-20

Gospel Reading: John 1 v43-51

In this season of Epiphany, Jesus is revealed as the Saviour of the nations, a light for all people. Firstly, by the worship and witness of shepherds; and then by unknown wise men from the East. And with light comes truth – truth over deceit; justice over injustice; right over might. Our readings today teach us that God is truth – nothing is hidden from him; and we are called to be people who live and work for God’s light and truth to prevail in our world.

In our first reading, the Psalmist addresses God personally as he proclaims God’s closeness and God’s knowledge of him. It is a relationship of utter trust in the one for whom nothing is hidden, all is known – ‘The darkness is not dark to you; darkness is as light to you.’ There is nothing that is hidden from God – and there is huge comfort to be found, that the God who knew us before we were born knows all about us, and loves us. Nothing is hidden from God!

In our reading from Corinthians it may not, on first reading, appear connected with the Psalm. But know that in context, Paul was writing to a Christian community of converts who will have found it hard to shake off the Greek belief that our souls and bodies quite separate. Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that what they do with their bodies matter! Believing in Jesus with their hearts and minds is the starting point; but they cannot continue as they had done before, satisfying their desires without consideration of God’s good and holy intentions for their bodies, as well as their minds. ‘Glorify God with your body’ writes Paul. While the Corinthians may have thought they could continue as they were, Paul wants to them to know that all aspects of their lives are visible to him! Nothing is hidden from God.

Finally the Gospel reading. Unfortunately it’s one of those weeks where the Lectionary compilers choose to begin mid-story! – The next day, we’re told, Jesus decides to go to Galilee. Well, what happened yesterday, you may ask? Yesterday, Jesus called his very first disciples, the brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew. Today, in today’s reading, we find that Jesus goes to Galilee and meets Philip who already knows who Jesus is. Philip is from the same city as those first disciples, and comes to Nathanael, saying ‘We have found the one prophesied by the law and the prophets!’  

Again, we find that nothing is hidden from God. God made man, Jesus, meets Nathanael and already knows him!. Nathanael asks, ‘Where did you come to know me?’. (Jesus might have said, ‘Before you were formed in the womb, I knew you!’) but says rather, ‘Here is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Whether Jesus says it ironically or not in response to Nathanael’s comment about Nazareth, it doesn’t matter. Jesus, God’s Son, knows exactly who Nathanael is without being told. Nothing is hidden from God.

Yet we live in a world where many people believe that things can successfully remain hidden – things they wouldn’t want found out. It’s one of the oldest deceits in the history of the world. Remember last week when we heard the story of the wise men, or Magi, coming to Herod to enquire where they could find the King of the Jews? Herod says to the Magi, ‘When you have found the child, come back and tell me, so that I may go and worship him.’ This lie is emblematic of an evil tyrant who punishes anyone who stands in his way, and goes on to commit mass murder.  

Sadly we know that there are many ‘Herods’ today. People, organisations, governments, even – who lie, seek to deceive, cheat and steal to preserve their position of power at all costs. We hear of such deceit in the way that nations justify their violence against their own people and against other nations; we hear of such deceit in the cover ups which have evidently been part of the post office miscarriage of justice – just one example of many miscarriages of justice that go on.  

But I absolutely believe this. Because God is the God of justice and righteousness (and those things will prevail as surely as Jesus rose from death to life) - God knows all of this. He knows the individuals, organisations and leaders concerned in such lies and deceit; nothing is hidden from him. At the final reckoning, truth will win over deceit; justice over injustice; and right over might. The liars, bullies, deceivers and war mongerers of this world cannot win. Nothing is hidden from God! His light and truth will prevail. Darkness and light are alike to him.

So I encourage us all to keep praying for truth, justice and righteousness to prevail in the life of the world. But also to keep watch on ourselves. The author Rhidian Brook quoted these words recently in his radio Thought for the Day, which I believe are attributed to Ghandi, ‘The world needs to change, and it starts with me.’ In remembering that God knows us and loves us, may we be prepared for him to shine his light and truth on the hidden aspects of our lives - saving us from self-deceit, unjust behaviour to others, and unrighteousness in our thoughts and attitudes. And may he start with me.