Feast of the Epiphany 2025

For so long we had clawed through the sanctifying work of Trinity season. Each week a lesson on how to depend on the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be made more like him. And then taking that Grace out into the world to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus, to care for the poor and to call our an anti-christ culture.

This Week the church calendar is inviting us to consider what it means to be included in God’s Kingdom, and to commit again to being his kids.

The arrival of the Wisemen, is meant to be for us the arrival of the nations to the feet of the Jewish Messiah. Come let us adore his the song says…will you posture you heart to adoring Jesus.

Lets give the Text a few minutes of our time.

[1] 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,

Wiseman, Magi, prolly not kings. We do not know the numbers.

From “The East.” The direction of Rebellion, The literal direction of Babylon. (Maybe comes from Daniel and Diaspora and his legacy?)

They show tremendous faith…there is no Garuntee, but they are trusting the signs of the times.

Also legands of a King from Judea.

[2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The are using pagan religion and yet arriving at the correct place.

They are looking for that which is Royal not that which is spiritual. Getting it mostly right and mostly wrong.

Faith like a mustard seed.

[3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

They make a splash on arrival. Their conspicuous entrage and their public questions.

What happens if Herod feels threatened? What happens if there is civil war.

[4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Herod will feign faith. He will play along. They do not know how ruthless he is.

[5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] “‘And 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.’”

Matthew again using his formula for Prophetic confirmation.

A little town that is not Jerusalem becomes the center of attention.

Herod has the scriptures and no faith, the Magi, astrology and true faith.

[7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

Much ink has been spilled on the Star. Seems more a great light than an actual heavenly Body.

Metaphor of light and true knowledge.

[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

The Lying Herod. He is part Jewish, he has the scriptures. The Magi traveled a year, he wont travel 6 miles.

[9] After 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.

The Star is moving around guiding them. Sounds more like a light in the sky than a celestial body.

[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

[11] And 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.

They are important in their own land, they have seen the riches of Herod, now in a house with a poor family and they are awestruck to worship…the grace of God opening their eyes.

The gifts, maybe have a symbolism, they certainly had a use.

[12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (ESV)

We know what is to come from Herod next.

Some helpful thoughts

This is a transition of who is in the kingdom and it fulfills many prophcies.

There are 3 major revelations we have here.

Natural/General, Special, Christolgical. The wise men are brought to saving faith by the general revelation. A heart is hardened by Special.

The disruption to the regularly scheduled program to come worship Christ.

The world we live in is more like Herod.

Herod could not stand to have a competing world view and so he sets our to destroy the Christ child.

We live in a world that cannot stand the competing world view and seeks to destroy Christ.

The response should be not surprise, the Bible predicts it.

God does not live in fear of Herod, or of atheistic world view. Proclaim his good news, come eat at his table.

And maybe you can see some times in your past where you behaved like Herod, you where anti-christ and are embarrassed, ashamed or scared. Fear not, Jesus takes the sins of the world on to his own shoulders…all those times you have refused your allegiance to God are now punished in Jesus. You are free of the hostility. So come to the table this morning as you are made worthy through Christ to eat in fellowship with God.