Preacher: Rev. Anne Jensen
Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14, Eph. 1:3-6.15-19a, and Matt.2:1-12, Epiphany 2010
We all know the story of the Three Wise Men. It’s a story that captures our imagination...from our earliest memories of the Christmas pageant to the luminous paintings of the Renaissance to Amahl and the Night Visitors, to La Buffana, who made an appearance at our pageant. The wise men always got the best costumes... But more than the costumes and the tradition of rich gifts, the idea of following a star to a place where you encounter your heart’s greatest desire catches our imagination. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we identify with the search and with the journey. Who among us has not wondered “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose?” Rarely do we get a quick and easy answer. No doubt the wise men had asked those very questions some time in their lives. Perhaps they were still seeking answers when they set out to follow this star.
The magi were astrologers, the learned men of their time; they studied the stars; they looked for meaning, not just for themselves, but for their people. We know from ancient sources that men like these did travel through the near east.The Bible doesn’t say how many there were. Some artists show a whole entourage while others show three men...of different ages and ethnicity. What was so different about these men—other than that they asked directions when they got to Jerusalem? They were not Jews. They were most likely from Persia or Babylon—they were Gentiles.
Many would argue the historicity of this beloved story, but its inclusion in the gospel of Matthew is meant to make a point: that the arrival of Jesus in the world is important not just for the nation of Israel, but for the whole world. It is meant to convey that the love of God is not restricted to one particular tribe or tradition, but is directed toward all people. The Jews thought that the Messiah would come and save them; they knew of no plans for others.
This story is a revelation of light: good news that should enlighten the hearts of all people. Epiphany means manifestation or showing forth. The importance of the Epiphany is that Jesus’ Lordship is revealed to the Gentiles, the Magi, who recognize his kingship, in stark contrast to Herod, who is threatened and scared. This story tells us once again that God became human for the sake of all people…all ages, all conditions, all ethnicities.
Imagine being one of those who made the journey from the East to Jerusalem to Bethlehem, following a star that guides you to the place you are being called to, without your knowing why that particular star. Only the commitment to seek truth would keep you going. The star in this story is a physical marker for Christ who brings light into the darkness, a theme we heard in last week’s gospel from John.
“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” Feelings of being weary, tired and sore from traveling faded away in the moment. I think their hearts were beating hard, and that their throats were tight with excitement. At last the great moment they sought lit up their hearts and souls when they saw the Christ child.
Scripture doesn’t say where Jesus, Joseph and Mary were living or how old Jesus was at the time of the visit. All that is left to our imagination. In the story we hear, “...they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and the knelt down and paid him homage...or in another translation, “they worshipped him.” I imagine a moment of such power, that these men could not stand...they could only kneel. They met their hearts’ greatest desire...to be in the presence of the Holy, which much to their surprise, was an infant.
I want you to hold onto these images for a moment while we look at today’s reading from Ephesians. This reading acts as commentary on what it is that the wise men have found. It’s as if the wise men have opened a window or a door of that modest house to let us see what they saw...The pattern of light is reversed. Instead of the window letting light into the room, opening the window lets the light of God’s glory shine out into the world.
Paul is just about as ecstatic as the wise men were: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” He continues, “He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Paul says that Christ’s purpose is that we might live for the purpose of praising God’s glory.
What struck me in holding this epistle side by side with the gospel is that the wise men instinctively know their purpose—to worship him, to adore him, to pay him homage, because he chose us...us is not just you and me here in this place, but is all those who recognize him and in him find their purpose, just like the wise men.
Well here we are at the beginning of a new year. We feel we should have some resolutions about something—organize our bookcases or our file drawers, get more exercise, eat more vegetables, work harder, but come home earlier, spend more time with the kids and or spouse, or set aside more time for ourselves. We feel like there is so much to do.
Is offering praise just one more thing on the “to do” list? I hope not! Praise is not difficult—it is the natural response to wonder. If there is something we need to do, it is probably to cultivate our sense of wonder, which means at some level ditching our cynicism and letting us recognize surprise and wonder for what they are—God’s grace in our lives. It was God’s grace that led the wise men to the Christ child. There they found fulfillment of the prophecy they had heard. In their wonder and awe, they joyfully praised God.
Evidence of God’s grace is all around us! Be aware of the miracle of God’s grace that you are alive. Begin with praise! That’s our calling. Praise and prayer are not like everything else. They are not something we accomplish; they are not something we finish and check off a list. Praise and prayer change our focus, turning our attention toward God. They open the windows of our spirit and allow our deepest desires to be rustled, gently shaken by the breezes of God’s love and truth.
By a star God led the wise men to Bethlehem. God’s love brought them to their knees as they encountered God’s Word made flesh who came to dwell among us. We are not so different from the wise men. We too have seen a star. We are on a journey to find our oneness with God, to discover our purpose. We meet the answer in a manger, just as they did. And having met him, we praise him, and we listen for his word. We are people chosen and adopted by God. Our purpose is to praise God and to reveal to the world God’s grace in Christ. We are to be an incarnational people. The community does not exist for its own sake, but for the sake of all humanity and all creation. We are to be a dwelling place for God’s Word. We become that place through praise and prayer.
Let us pray: God of power and grace, give us such faith in your blessings that we are filled with confidence and joy. As our eyes open in the morning, awaken our spirits with gratitude, the sure knowledge of your blessings, that indeed we have all that we need. Then lead us forth, O God, to make a difference where we are, where you have called us to be. Grant that in this new year your people and your church may glorify your holy name. Amen
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