The Epiphany

A Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12

ME

Story of the good disruption that having Phoebe was for our family. 

You move from self-centeredness to other-centeredness

You experience love that's costlier than you imagined

You learn dependence (on God, on your spouse, on community) in new ways

You worship God's design and provision differently when you're sleep-deprived and utterly reliant

If good disruption required surrender, what about God's other disruptions?this

WE

We all have areas where we like to be king

Our careers, families, schedules, finances, futures. We guard our thrones.

We're uncomfortable when something, or Someone, challenges our authority.

Even good news can feel threatening when it disrupts our control.

GOD

The Setting (vs. 1-2)

Wise men from the East arrive in Jerusalem asking a dangerous question: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?"

They've seen His star, light breaking into darkness, and have come to worship.

The Reaction (v. 3)

Herod was "disturbed" (troubled, agitated, in turmoil)

Not just Herod—"all Jerusalem with him"

The Irony (vs. 4-6)

The religious leaders know exactly where the Messiah will be born

They have the Scripture, they have the knowledge

Yet they don't go. 

Herod acts, and for the wrong reasons

Two Responses to the King (vs. 7-12)

Herod: schemes, manipulates, seeks to destroy what threatens his power

The Magi: travel far, offer costly gifts, fall down in worship

Same news. Same King. Opposite responses.

The Light Exposes

The arrival of Jesus reveals what's really in our hearts

Herod's reaction shows us what happens when God's kingship threatens our own

The Magi show us the proper response: worship, sacrifice, submission

YOU

Where are you holding onto your throne?

What areas of your life get "disturbed" when God's authority enters the room?

The question isn't whether Jesus is King—He is

The question is: will you respond like Herod or like the Magi?

Herod tried to eliminate the threat to his power

The Magi surrendered their treasures and themselves

The invitation:

Stop resisting. Start worshiping.

Bring what you've been guarding: your plans, your control, your comfort

Lay it before the One who is worthy of it all

WE

We've been given a King worth worshiping

He didn't come to take from us—He came to save us

When we release our grip on our own little kingdoms, we gain something far greater

Mission: Now we carry this light, the good news of our King, to others.

Some will be disturbed. Some will worship.

But all need to hear: The Light has come.

Closing Image

The same light that troubled Herod guided the Magi is still shining. The only question is: what will it expose in you and how will you respond?