Good News For The World

Drawn By The Brilliant Grace of God

1.7.24 [Matthew 2:1-12] River of Life (The Festival of Epiphany)

Grace and peace to you from the Maker of the heavens and the Savior of the nations. Amen.

Stirred by God, they traveled thousands of miles. Collectively they walked hundreds of thousands of steps. From the moment they arrived in town, they went to work. Their hearts and minds were consumed by a mission. Inspired by God’s promises they searched, eagerly and excitedly, in an unfamiliar place. And yesterday afternoon, the seven of them returned home, not by camel but by commercial flight.

This week, our congregation had the privilege and the honor of hosting a campus ministry group from Wisconsin. Seven young people arrived on Monday morning, January 1st, and immediately got to work. After lunch and an hour’s worth of training, we hit the streets and brought flyers like you received this morning to the homes in our immediate community. The next day, we did some training on how to talk to people at the door and how to conduct a community survey. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night we knocked on doors and asked people what they loved about where they lived, what would make life better, and what we could pray for—among a few other questions.

Each time we host a team like this it’s an exhilarating and also an exhausting experience. For a week, we try to make the most of every moment of daylight. For a week, we have maps to read, flyers to hang, and thank you notes to write. For a week, we have meals and adventures planned out for them. And then things come up that we didn’t expect. But since God planned them we do our best to roll with the punches and make the most of the opportunities he has for us. It’s a good week. I’m glad we do it. I’m grateful for all your help in making trips and teams like this happen. But I know I’d run out of steam if it lasted much longer than it does. I know this, because I’ve been on the other side of these mission trips.

That experience is part of why I’m always so impressed by the Magi--the mysterious travelers from the east. Who were they? How many of them were there? Where exactly did they come from? How did they know about this Lk 2:2 one who has been born king of the Jews?

Because of all these unknowns, many people have backfilled their backgrounds in interesting ways. The Magi have been called kings, magicians, soothsayers, and fortune-tellers. We know that these men looked to the stars for meaning and direction in life--that’s why we meet them in Herod’s palace in Jerusalem with a simple question. Where is the Lk 2:2 one who has been born king of the Jews?

How did they know? Perhaps it was the repercussion of the Babylonian captivity--when wise men like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were taken from Israel to a powerful nation in the east. Maybe during this time, star students learned of Balaam’s prophecy Num 24:17 I see him, but not now, I behold him, but not near...a star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel, 19 a ruler will come out of Jacob.

We may not know the who, the where, the how or even how many, but we do know one thing--the why. The Magi are clear about their intentions. Lk 2:2 We saw his star...and have come to worship him.

Now remember: these men are not Jews. They are foreigners who, more than likely, practiced idol worship of some kind. But they have come to Jerusalem to find a king and worship him. A little strange.

What’s even more strange is how the leaders and locals respond. Imagine this scene. This group of strangers shows up. They talk differently. They dress differently. They are asking about a baby king. Their presence and Herod’s reaction stir up the whole city. Matthew tells us that Lk 2:3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him. Herod was already a paranoid guy. Now some foreigners show up and stoke the flames. Their questions seem threatening--so he demands answers from Lk 2:4 the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law.

Herod asks about the Messiah’s prophesied birthplace. Without having to look it up, these experts know. Micah 5:2-4 In Bethlehem. So now everyone knows. In Bethlehem. Six miles away. But only one group goes. The Magi. The foreigners. The idol worshipping Magi.

But really, that shouldn't surprise us, because all too often, in more subtle ways--it describes us. Think about how often there is a clear disconnect from what God says and what we do, just like that.

Eph 5:25 Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church. Eph 5:22 Wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. Eph 6:1 Children obey your parents in all things. Mt 5:44 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Lk 6:28 Do good to those who hate you. Yet, we love only the people we like. We love only because it will benefit us in the short term. We submit when it’s convenient--only to keep the peace. We obey only when someone is watching or we’ll be punished. God says 1 Cor 10:10 do not complain, Mt 6:25 don’t worry, Php 4:6 don’t be anxious about anything. 1 Th. 5:16-17 Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances.

In so many different ways, in our thoughts, words, & actions we do the bare minimum. Enough to keep the peace. Enough to keep out of trouble. Not enough to fool God. Not enough to justify ourselves.

How we respond to what God says, reveals something about us. God demands and we don’t do. Is it because we are unimpressed? Unappreciative? Unenergized? As we compare ourselves to these Magi, we are quickly put to shame by their effort and exuberance. They went the extra mile. We often remain right where we are.

But that’s not the focal point of Epiphany. That’s not all that’s being revealed by Matthew’s Gospel. The point of Epiphany is not how the Magi worshipped, it’s whom they worshipped.

These men came from the east as Magi. They left as wise men. Because in Bethlehem they met the King of kings, the one God had promised to send, whose birth he had announced with a star.

God still reveals himself the same way. Sure the details are different for the Magi, but if you look at the methods, God still reveals himself to lost people in much the same fashion.

The Magi were drawn first by a natural phenomenon. God tells us that he reveals himself in nature. Looking up at the stars is a humbling and awesome thing. King David wrote: Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the works of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words...Yet their voice goes out into all the earth.

But this revelation is incomplete. It can tell us that God exists, but not who he is and what he does. For that we need God’s Word, just like the Magi. The star brought them to Israel. Their logic led them to Jerusalem--where kings reside. Only the Word could point them to Bethlehem, a small town among the clans of Judah.

Through creation, God reveals his power. Through his Word, God reveals his plan. He told Eve one of her descendants would be her deliverer. He narrowed it down further. A descendant of Abram. Then Isaac. Jacob. Finally Judah. God would send the Messiah from David’s throne. In Isaiah, he promised that this Son of the Promise would be born of a virgin. In Micah, he assured Israel that this child would be born in Bethlehem. The only mystery left was the timing. For that, he sent angels to announce Jesus’ birth.

This is the Messiah the Magi met and immediately worshipped. They came face to face with the Maker of heaven and earth. The one who created celestial beings with his breath was a breathing human being. They came as Magi. They left as wise men because they had met Wisdom in the flesh. By faith, they thought nothing of ignoring Herod’s orders. They obeyed God and returned home.

But you know so much more than they did. Like the Magi, Eph 2:12 you were once foreigners to the promise. Without hope. Without God. But you have been brought near by the blood of Christ. You know how he came to seek and save the lost. You know how took pity on exasperated parents, sick children, the lame & blind. You know how nature responded to the power of his word. Storms were stilled. Fig trees withered and died. But Jesus came to do more than miracles. He came to offer his life as a sacrifice for ours. He came to go the extra mile. To suffer and die for all our guilt and shame. To make atonement for our sins. To make us good enough. Perfect.

By faith, you’ve seen so much more than the Magi. By grace, you too have been made 2 Tim 3:15 wise for salvation. So how can you not go the extra mile? How can you not want to know him better? How can you not want to bring him glory in everything you think, say, & do. How can you not want to praise him in your God-given role as a husband or wife, parent or child, leader or citizen? How can you not want others to know this child as their Lord and Savior too?

This is the good news of Epiphany. God has revealed himself and his plan. And God has called you to serve like stars in this time of darkness. Here’s what I mean. The stars are pretty cool. But they have a very specific role. They offer a little light and a little direction. They govern the time between the sun’s last rising and its next coming.

So it is for us. We are called to reflect a little light in this world of darkness. To offer people direction. Not to ourselves. But to point to the Son’s first coming. What he did. How he accomplished it. Why he did it. And finally to assure people that the Son is returning again soon. Declare the glory of God. Proclaim the works of his hands. Night after night reveal knowledge. Be the brilliant stars God has fashioned and made you to be. Amen.