Text:\u00a0 Matthew 2: 1-12<\/p>\n
This is a special day for the Eastern Orthodox churches.\u00a0 This weekend is their Christmas celebration.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Just to be different from the West?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 They time their celebration with the visit of the Magi.\u00a0 For good reason.\u00a0 Think about it.\u00a0 Most of us are Gentiles.\u00a0 We are not Jews descended of Abraham.\u00a0\u00a0 But think of the night of Jesus\u2019 birth, the night we call Christmas.\u00a0 Who was there?\u00a0 Mary and Joseph were both Jews.\u00a0 To whom did the angel tell the good news.\u00a0 Jewish shepherds.\u00a0 Bethlehem was a Jewish town.\u00a0 And our Savior was born a Jew, circumcised on the 8th<\/sup> day according to the Law of Moses.<\/p>\n So we might be left to wonder.\u00a0 All this is nice.\u00a0 But I\u2019m a Gentile.\u00a0 Am I included in what God did?\u00a0 Was the Christ born also for me?\u00a0 So you can see why the visit of the Magi is sometimes called the Gentile Christmas.\u00a0 In them, God demonstrates to you and me.\u00a0 He IS for you.<\/p>\n Of course, we call this day Epiphany.\u00a0 The Epiphany of our Lord<\/em>.\u00a0 Remember what the word means.\u00a0 Epiphany means to make clear, unmistakable.\u00a0 And what does this season make clear?\u00a0 That the child born to Mary, the child who grew up and matured like you and me is also true God from all eternity.\u00a0 That\u2019s so important for us to know as we gather around the cross of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Epiphany reminds us who it was that suffered and died for us.\u00a0 The visit of the Magi is one of those epiphanies.\u00a0 Think about it.\u00a0 What happens here.\u00a0 Why did they come?\u00a0 The star, not seen before.\u00a0 His star.\u00a0 The Epiphany Star<\/strong>. \u00a0How blessed we are to hear the story.<\/p>\n Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 <\/strong>saying, \u201cWhere is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Let\u2019s make sure we know where we\u2019re at.\u00a0 Jesus was born.\u00a0 Eight days later, he was circumcised and given the name Jesus.\u00a0 Forty days after his birth, Mary and Joseph took the Child to the temple to make an offering for both Mary and her son. There Simeon would take the child up in his arms and rejoice.\u00a0 Then they returned to Bethlehem where it seems they stayed for a time.\u00a0 Maybe they wanted to avoid the ugliness they had experienced in Nazareth because of Mary\u2019s unwed pregnancy.\u00a0 In any case, what happens now is a long time after away in a manger, no crib for a bed.<\/em>\u00a0 Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus are staying in a house unaware of what is going on in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n Behold<\/span>.\u00a0 Matthew writes.\u00a0 He\u2019s telling us.\u00a0 This is something unexpected.\u00a0 Look here.\u00a0 Behold!\u00a0 What are the Magi doing here in Jerusalem?\u00a0 They are sure far away from home.<\/em>\u00a0 Magi or wise men were astrologers from places we call Iran or Iraq today.\u00a0 They studied the stars and interpreted dreams.\u00a0 They were rich and influential.\u00a0 Kings turned to them for counsel.\u00a0 What are they doing here?<\/em><\/p>\n But it wasn\u2019t just their presence that was so surprising.\u00a0 It was the reason they gave for their coming.\u00a0 We\u2019re seeking your newborn King.\u00a0 We\u2019ve seen his star.\u00a0 We\u2019ve come to worship him.<\/em>\u00a0 Where is he?<\/em>\u00a0 To them, Jerusalem seemed like a good place to start.<\/p>\n That star today captures people\u2019s imagination.\u00a0 Some say it was a convergence of planets that shown brightly.\u00a0 Others believe what I do.\u00a0 Just what the Scripture says.\u00a0 It was a star, not just any star, but HIS star.\u00a0 A star that moved these men to travel hundreds of miles to search for and worship this Child.<\/p>\n But how did they make that connection?\u00a0\u00a0 God does not \u00a0tell us.\u00a0 \u00a0So it must not be important for us to know.\u00a0 What is important is that we look to the One the Epiphany star was about and come like these men.\u00a0\u00a0 Ready to worship this King.<\/p>\n But there was another king not so happy to hear this news.\u00a0 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him<\/span>; \u2026 King Herod was not a Jew and yet he was their King.\u00a0 The Romans had put him into power against the wishes of the people.\u00a0 So Herod lived in fear of people plotting to overthrow him.\u00a0 He was so paranoid that he killed his wife and son when he suspected them.\u00a0 Well now along come these Magi asking:\u00a0 \u201cWhere is he who has been born king of the Jews?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n It says here, Herod was troubled<\/em>.\u00a0 Literally he was shook up.\u00a0 His adrenaline was flowing.\u00a0 His stomach was churning.\u00a0 And back then when ruthless King Herod got upset, you got upset too.\u00a0 Well Herod was lot of things.\u00a0 He had built the temple, one of the wonders of the ancient world.\u00a0 He was a great orator.\u00a0 But above all else, he knew how to protect this throne.\u00a0 He would not let another take his crown.<\/p>\n Of course, Herod did not know what kind of King had been born into the world.\u00a0 This was not a king who had come to sit in Herods\u2019 palace or anyone else\u2019s.\u00a0 He had not come to replace Herod and rule over that small strip of land called Judah. \u00a0\u00a0And unlike Herod, this was not a king who would compel the allegiance of people with threats of crucifixion and prison.\u00a0 Rather this King would win the hearts of people by his amazing love\u00a0 What did the angel tell Joseph,\u00a0 You are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0For this King would not put people up on crosses.\u00a0 Instead He would be lifted up on a cross for us all.<\/p>\n But Herod only saw a threat:\u00a0 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, \u201cIn Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: \u00a06 <\/strong>\u201c\u00a0\u2018And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.\u2019\u00a0<\/span>\u201d Here God had given this Word of prophecy so his people could watch for the Christ.\u00a0 \u00a0But how was Herod about to use this Word?\u00a0 To target his victim.\u00a0 Do you see the irony?\u00a0 Right in the middle of this ugly conspiracy, God\u2019s Word speaks to us and confirms for us who this Child was.\u00a0 It makes me think of Psalm 2.\u00a0 The kings of the earth take their stand \u2026against the Lord and his Anointed one\u2026The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. ( 2,4) <\/span><\/p>\n 7 <\/span><\/strong>Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. \u00a08<\/strong>\u00a0And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, \u201cGo and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0 Herod is now ready to hatch his plot.\u00a0 The magi will unwittingly serve Herod by helping him to know when the child was born and where he could be found.\u00a0 That I may worship him<\/span> Herod says.<\/p>\n Herod had anything but worship in mind for the Christ child.\u00a0 But this is the world we live in.\u00a0 How many a person has used the guise of worship or religion as a cover for evil?\u00a0 Sadly we think of the priest or pastor who gains the trust of a child to do terrible things. \u00a0We think of the priest or pastor who gains the trust of his congregation and then holds up a different truth which is no truth at all.\u00a0 \u00a0In Nazi Germany, they did not ban the church.\u00a0 They co opted it to serve to serve their evil purposes. \u00a0Just like Herod.\u00a0 Bring me word, that I may worship him.<\/em><\/p>\n 9 <\/span><\/strong>\u00a0After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was<\/span>. \u00a0Behold.<\/strong>\u00a0 Matthew says it again.\u00a0 There\u2019s that epiphany star<\/strong>.\u00a0 How does God use it now?\u00a0 To lead them and then have it stand right over the place.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Here\u2019s the one you are looking for<\/em>.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the One you and I need to be looking for in our lives.\u00a0 In His Word.\u00a0 In his Holy Supper.\u00a0 For he is way, the truth and the life.<\/p>\n But wait, Lord.\u00a0 They\u2019re going to go back to tell Herod.\u00a0 Wait Lord.\u00a0 Don\u2019t send them there!<\/em>\u00a0 we might say if we didn\u2019t know better.\u00a0 For this all seems to be heading to a very sad end.\u00a0 Yet many are the plans in a man\u2019s heart, but it is the Lord\u2019s purpose that prevails<\/span>.\u00a0 (Prov19:21) It did here and it will in your life too. Our problem is that we see only the little picture.\u00a0 We see the battles won and lost, we see the troubles that come into our lives, but we can\u2019t see the outcome. Yet we know it.\u00a0 In Christ, we know it.\u00a0 And even now in this fallen, dying world, he has promised to make all things work for our good.<\/p>\n 10 <\/span><\/strong>\u00a0When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 <\/strong>\u00a0And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh<\/span>. Imagine their joy at seeing the star.\u00a0 These Gentiles\u00a0 had traveled 100\u2019s of miles.\u00a0 It makes me think of some I have known over the years.\u00a0 When some won\u2019t even cross the street or get out of bed to come to church , this couple traveled 70 miles each way.\u00a0 And sometimes they came twice a week to worship their Savior.<\/p>\n Now picture the scene.\u00a0 The house rented by this poor couple was much different from the king\u2019s palaces these Magi were accustomed to. Yet they enter the house in humble awe.\u00a0 Imagine Mary and Joseph watching as these men bow down before this child with their faces to floor and then rise to open their gifts \u2013 gold, frankincense and myrrh.<\/p>\n Gold was a gift for a king.\u00a0 Frankincense was used by the priests as they prayed in the temple.\u00a0 And myrrh.\u00a0 That was used to prepare a body for burial.\u00a0 What did these men have in mind when they offered these gifts?\u00a0 We can\u2019t really say much more than honoring the Child.<\/p>\n But God\u2019s words now tells us how appropriate these gifts were.\u00a0 Gold to honor the King of kings born for us all.\u00a0 Frankincense for the Son who brings our prayers before God the Father in heaven.\u00a0 And \u00a0myrhh.\u00a0 Myrhh for the One who would go to his death for us all.<\/p>\n What a special moment!\u00a0 But where was this all leading? \u00a0\u00a012<\/span><\/strong> And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.<\/span> \u00a0They disappeared off the radar screen of history.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t you like to know what followed?\u00a0 I would. \u00a0What did they do?\u00a0 Who did they tell?\u00a0 How did their lives change?<\/p>\n And yet, I think that\u2019s the way they would have wanted it.\u00a0 That come away from here not thinking about these men. \u00a0Instead where that epiphany star led them.\u00a0 To the Child, our Lord and Savior.\u00a0 The one born, then lived, died and rose again \u00a0for us Gentiles too.\u00a0 To him be glory forever and ever Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Text:\u00a0 Matthew 2: 1-12 This is a special day for the Eastern Orthodox churches.\u00a0 This weekend is their Christmas celebration.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Just to be different from the West?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 They time their celebration with the visit of the Magi.\u00a0 For good reason.\u00a0 Think about it.\u00a0 Most of us are Gentiles.\u00a0 We are not Jews descended of Abraham.\u00a0\u00a0 But think of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=401"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":403,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401\/revisions\/403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}