Epiphany 2021

A sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 | Epiphany, January 6, 2021 | by the Rev. Dr. Judson F Merrell, STS |

Matthew 2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² asking, „Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.“ ³ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴ and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ They told him, „In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ⁶ ‚And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'“

⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸ Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, „Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.“ ⁹ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹ On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (Mat 2:1-12 NRS)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The time has once again come where we celebrate Jesus being revealed to the world.  Jesus was born in a land full of the ancestors of the Hebrews, which were declared to be God’s chosen people.  His lineage is even recorded by both Matthew and Luke to show that He himself is of this same pedigree.  But Matthew takes this all a step farther, showing us that Jesus came not only for God’s chosen, but for the world.  In our text today, the Wise Men, Gentiles, come and greet the child.  This story isn’t recorded in any other Gospel account, but plays an important role for Matthew’s Jesus and the ministry that he sets forth to do.  While we as Christians look forward to hearing stories of Jesus’ ministry, and then reflecting on how they continue to speak to us today, Matthew reminds us that this is not the case for everyone.

A few minutes ago we heard Matthew telling of how Herod got scared at what was happening.  Herod was scared because this baby presented a challenge to what Herod thought was his own godliness.  How can a little baby be the ruler of Israel and the Son of God?  It’s just a baby, one that can’t talk, walk, or make important decisions.  This baffled Herod.  He couldn’t understand.  So Herod did what he thought was best, he tried to find out as much information as possible.  So he called forward the wise men.  He wanted to know what information they had.  Herod was determined to destroy this baby and everything that Jesus stood for.  Not only does Matthew give us a glimpse at how much hatred Herod had, but this pericope also gives us a glimpse at how frightened of God he was.  And when people are scared of God, they will go to extraordinary means to save their own skin.  Isn’t that right?  In times such as this, it is when we truly see God at work.  We see God coming to the Magi in a dream, warning them not to go back to Herod.   We see God using means to guide those who truly believe, while leaving the non-believers in a state of question and wonder.  We see God being presented with the gifts that God has first given his people, and in this case, they are gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  God pours out riches and grace on creation, and people of every nation respond to God by bringing forth glorious gifts.  Those that are not afraid are the ones that know what God has done for them, and are therefore able to give back.  Herod had no idea what God had done for him, and he was afraid of God.  This child, and his future ministry, presents a real threat to him, because he focuses on his own self, instead of the work of God.  Herod is not alone in this either.  Even today Jesus’ birth presents a threat to those that value themselves over everything else.   That was Jesus’ fight back then, and it continues to be part of the church’s fight in our world today.  For if Jesus is King, no one else can be.

We have now entered into 2021, and sadly we continue on a path where people are scared for themselves.  We still have a virus affecting this world, we still have political unrest in far too many places, we still have far too much division, and sadly, we still have too many people that don’t focus on the work of God in this world.  But thanks be to God for those that do…both in the land of the Hebrews, and in the land of Gentiles.  For Jesus has come into the world and for the world.  He is the everlasting Word who has come upon us and lived among us full of grace and truth.  We read the testament of his Ministry, and through the Spirit we reflect and ponder on how God speaks to us even today through this proclamation.  It is my hope that like the Wise Men, this leads us to be overwhelmed with joy.  For God has sent his only Son into this dreaded world, not only for the benefit of his people, but for the benefit of the whole world.  Revealed to us through the Wise Men, let us also go ahead doing our best to also witness to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  For He has been born of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed King of the Jews, and shown forth to all the world as the Son of God.  In the name of the Father, and the Son, the Holy Spirit.  Amen.