Bible Text: Matthew 2:1-12 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes |
I always find that there is something refreshing about the beginning of a new year. I’m
not one to do resolutions although I do try set goals or intentions for the year. I’m sure, like me,
you are a bit taken a back that we have reached 2020. It just rolls off the tongue better than
most years. You know, many scientists, inventors, and philosophers, have made predictions
over the century on what our lives would be like in 2020. For example in 1911 a surgeon by the
name Richard Clement Lucas predicted that human feet would become one big toe by 2020 due
to the fact that the outer toes were “useless.” Inventor and sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke believed
that by 2020 we would live in flying houses. The publication Popular Mechanics claimed that not
only would we have personal helicopters by 2020 but a 1957 article stated that every road and
street in America would be “replaced by a network of pneumatic tubes” eliminating our need to
gas up. One prediction made by Time magazine in 1966 that I wish were true is that no one
would have to work and everyone would be wealthy, stating, “machines will be producing so
much that everyone in the U.S. Will in effect be independently wealthy.” These are just a few of
the truly bizarre predictions I came across. The truth is, however, that there are some
predictions that came true either because of or despite imagination. In fact Arthur C. Clarke
also predicted ipads or tablets in his well known novel 2001: Space Odyssey when he wrote,
“When [Floyd] had tired of official reports…he would plug his foolscap-sized Newspad into the
ship’s information circuit and scan the latest reports from Earth.” In 1909 Nikola Tesla
predicted that eventually everyone would be walking around with phones in their pockets. Even
Mark Twain essentially predicted the internet which he called telelectroscope in which phone
lines created a worldwide network for sharing information. But that’s the thing about predictions sometimes it takes imagination and sometimes it takes observing current trends and seeing how they will effect us in the future.
Matthew’s story of the Magi is essentially predicting or foreshadowing if we use the
proper literary term, Jesus’ future. And Matthew is careful to demonstrate both the glory and
hostility that Jesus will cause and experience. This story holds in tension who Jesus is, what he
will become and how it will all play out. We simply have to be attentive and observe the key
elements to note that Jesus, this small child in Bethlehem, will change the world.
First, however, it is important to wrap our heads around some of the facts regarding
this story. Despite all of our nativity displays and lore around Christmas we need to recognize
that the magi did not arrive at the stable moments after Jesus birth. Perhaps the star appeared
that night but it would have taken the magi some time, like years, to travel from Persia to reach
Bethlehem. And we know they came from Persia because the term magi is Persian and means
“followers of Zoroastrianism”, which is often called a precursor to Islam. There likely wasn’t three
but an entire caravan of scholars, servants, and perhaps even women. Another reason why we
know Jesus was about two years old is because Herod orders the death of children two years
old and younger. And while calling them kings may not be accurate, we do know that they come
from places of wealth based on their gifts. So, now that that is out of the way let’s look at how
Matthew demonstrates who Jesus will become through this narrative.
The word epiphany comes from a Greek word, epiphainein which means “to reveal”
and there are numerous things that are revealed or that appear in this story. The star seems to
simply appear in the east and it is the star that summons the Magi. The Magi then appear in
Jerusalem at Herod’s palace door enquiring after a king, followed by the Magi’s appearance in
Bethlehem. But these appearances also cause fear. This is definitely a foreshadowing or
prediction into how people will react to Jesus, some with awe and others with terror. Notice how the reaction of the Magi contrasts with Herod’s reaction. The Magi see this star and their first response is to come and worship. When Herod hears about this birth he reacts with terror- and all of Jerusalem with him. Herod is overcome with fear while the Magi are overwhelmed with joy.
It will be these two reactions to Jesus that will consume his ministry and I would argue it is still
those two reactions to Jesus that take place in our world.
The magi’s worship represents the first of many instances in which unexpected people
will not only come to Christ but will be used by God to demonstrate the transformative nature of the gospel. The angel in Luke’s version of the birth of Jesus proclaims to the shepherds, “good news of great joy for all people.” The magi demonstrate that this proclamation is true. God so desired to reach beyond the region around Bethlehem that it was people of a completely different faith that first came to worship Jesus as king. As gentiles they represent the
universality of the gospel. Herod’s hostility foreshadows the opposition that Jesus will endure,
particularly by those in power within his own tradition. New Testament professor Dr. Crowder
writes about this tension in her commentary, “Herod is so filled with anxiety and paranoia that he fabricates his intent to pay homage. Nevertheless, this wise group travels through the deceit in order to share their treasures. Herod’s anger stands in stark contrast to the awe and curiosity of the magi.” Religious and political leaders within Jesus’ community will consistently respond to
Jesus’ presence with anxiety and paranoia and the people who we least expect will be the ones
who respond with awe and curiosity.
The gifts which the magi give also foreshadow Jesus’ life. While gold, frankincense and
myrrh were standard gifts to give a king, even a deity in the ancient world, often those gifts were given as a part of a homage or tribute to an adult king. And maybe that’s the only symbolism in the gifts, that the magi are worshipping a king. However, there have been many theories on the spiritual meaning of these gifts. I have mentioned before that early theologian Origen wrote in his Contra Celsum, “gold as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal (since myrrh was used as an embalming ointment); and incense, as to a God.” And the magi do indeed pay homage. The Greek word is proskuneo which literally means “to bow down”. Matthew repeats this word three times just so we are clear that the magi do indeed want to worship. They tell Herod that paying homage is the entire purpose of their trip. Herod then skews the purpose of his request and states that he too wants to know where the child is so that he can “pay homage.” And then upon entering the home, a home not stable, they kneel and pay homage while also being overcome with joy. Truly the story of the magi remind us that God’s manifestation can happen to people outside the religious or cultural community.
I am not about to predict how 2020 will evolve but I can guess that like the tension in
this story, we as a church, we as a country, we as a society will also balance a tension between
terror and worship throughout this year. But the point to epiphany is that God always shows up.
God is constantly revealed in the actions of others and ourselves. The question is how do we
respond to this revelation, do we respond with trickery, fear or bullying? Or do we respond with
humility, worship and by paying homage? Herod’s fear affects far too many innocent children
whereas the magi’s worship tells us who Jesus truly is. It is a reminder to me that reacting with
fear causes damage not only to ourselves but to others. How will we observe the Christ child in
2020? By focusing, by having 2020 vision, on the light and love of God that is all around us.
Amen