Reflections...

Good morning and Happy New Year!

When I was growing up in the US, January 1^st represented two things. One, the Christmas season was officially over. And two, tomorrow was back to school, back to work, back to normal, boring life. 

It was only later that I found out in some churches, Christmas lasts 12 days until January 6^th when we celebrate Epiphany. 

I’m happy that KUC is one of those churches. And I’m also happy that our pastors are flexible enough to let me preach this morning on the Bible readings for Epiphany a few days early. Because the Gospel reading for Epiphany Day is always the same – the visit of the Wise Men in Matthew 2:1-12. And that story to me is a perfect transition as we start our journey into 2023.

As you know, the story of the Wise Men is often included as part of the Christmas story. Those Magi just seem to belong there, right? Actually, though, to get the Wise Men into the Christmas story, we have to combine two narratives from different Gospels – the shepherds, angels and a manger in Luke together with Wise Men, gifts and a star in Matthew. 

Now that’s not a problem as long as we don’t miss the main point of the Wise Men’s story. And the main point is the revelation of Christ the Savior to the whole world. Remember Jesus’ birth was revealed first to the people of Israel. That’s the Christmas story.  Now it’s time for the rest of the world to get the message. That’s the story of Epiphany – the story of how people outside the covenant (Gentiles) also heard the Good News, how visitors from faraway came to worship the newborn King of the Jews and lived to tell the tale. 

I think most of you are familiar with how it goes. Foreign astrologers turn up at Herod’s palace looking for a newborn King. Herod’s shocked and consults his Jewish experts. He passes the information on to the Wise Men, slyly inviting them to report back so “I can pay my respects too.” The Wise Men find the Holy Family at home in Bethlehem, bow down and present the royal gifts. Then they get a warning: Danger ahead! Don’t go back to Jerusalem! Activate Plan B.

And that’s exactly what they did. They returned home by another road and that’s the last we ever hear of these Wise Men. Some have asked, “Did they ever become Christians?” “Did they go back to their country and witness for Jesus?” We don’t know. And probably the reason we don’t know is that it’s not important to Matthew. Well, if that’s so, then what was important?

The way I see it, there were three things important to Matthew here. 

First, it was important that the story of the Wise Men confirm the Scripture. This newborn babe is the Messiah spoken of in Isaiah 60. You recall the prophet’s words in the Old Testament reading this morning: “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn… They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.” That’s not the only place in the Old Testament that’s recalled by the coming of the Wise Men. There are several other passages, too many to mention this morning. But just know that Matthew knew his Bible and he wanted his readers to know that Scripture is finally being fulfilled here and now!

Which brings us to the second thing Matthew wants us to know. Even as Scripture’s being fulfilled here and now, strangers from another land welcomed Christ’s coming but Herod and all Jerusalem were frightened. For Herod, it’s obvious why he’s upset. He’s only in power because the Empire allows it. And he can only stay in power if his rule goes unchallenged.

But why is the rest of Jerusalem afraid? They hated Roman rule and were none too fond of Rome’s puppet on the throne either. Well, in this case fear may have trumped hate. The thought of what could happen if Herod felt threatened must have sent chills down their spine. Yes, it could get even worse. It’s amazing then that Herod didn’t just tell the Wise Men, “Sorry, you’re mistaken, you can go back to your own country.” But then, he wouldn’t have the information he wanted either, which leads us to the third thing Matthew wants us to know…

And that is, even the enemies of God can serve divine purposes. Even a ruler as self-serving as King Herod could be used to further the Kingdom of God. Because the Wise Men did get to their destination, didn’t they? But, of course, Herod’s the kind of guy who didn’t give away anything without getting something back. Yet little did he know how much he was getting back!  Little did he know that news of a newborn King of the Jews was God putting him on notice: 

·      Those who rule by fear and intimidation will always be challenged.            

·      Those who wield their earthly power to crush people’s hopes and dreams will be defeated. 

It may not happen today; it may not happen tomorrow. I mean, there were Herods on the throne the whole time Jesus was on earth.

Yet here at the very beginning of our Savior’s life, the story of the Wise Men assures us the Herods of the world don’t have the last word. God does. And if we follow the guiding light that leads us to another King, we too are assured that His joy is greater than our suffering, His comfort is greater than our pain, His power is greater than our sin. God does have the final Word!

You know, a lot of poems have been written about the Wise Men, some very beautiful and famous ones. Recently I ran upon a verse that I really like from the English writer G.K. Chesterton. He speaks of an abode, a dwelling place I assume is the house of Mary and Joseph that the Wise Men finally reach. He calls it – 

The abode in which the heavens feed
-that old and strange abode that is ours-
where misleading words are not spoken
and Mercy is simple as bread
and Honor as hard as stone.[1]

“Where misleading words are not spoken and Mercy is simple as bread and Honor as hard as stone.” Isn’t that a wonderful description of what the church could be if we too refuse to give up, if we too let nothing stop us from worshipping the only One worthy of our praise?

And when we do, I picture God receiving us just as Mary and Joseph would have received their visitors after that long journey. Even if they were strangers, they would have washed their feet, given them the best food and drink in the house, and listened eagerly to their news. That was Middle Eastern hospitality. Maybe in your country too, so you know what I’m talking about.

So, this morning, and every Lord’s Day in this new year, come into His House! Come into His House for some good old Middle Eastern hospitality. Let God wash your weary feet after a long week. Let God give you finest bread and wine to satisfy your hunger and thirst. Pour out your news to the One eager to listen to everything that’s happened to you. And be thankful. Be thankful that the Gentiles – the rest of us – have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Thanks be to God!

Let’s pray:

Lord God, keep us in that wisdom which you revealed to the Wise Men. Grant us your Holy Spirit, that we may always seek you and your kingdom. Give us grace at all times and in all places to confess your holy name even to the powers and principalities of this world. May our offerings be acceptable in your sight, the gifts you yourself made possible: the gold of our faith, the incense of our prayers and the myrrh of our contrite hearts. This we humbly ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.[2]