The Epiphany of Our Lord (observed)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear friends in Christ, today we observe the Epiphany of Our Lord. In the flow of the church year, this day is actually the climax of the church year’s first act. The time of Advent is a season of preparation centered around the coming of Christ. On Christmas we celebrated that coming of Christ in the flesh. But now the Epiphany of Our Lord and the days that follow complete this celebration as we recall the revelation of Christ’s coming. As the babe of Bethlehem, not many people truly knew who He was. Even the shepherds who heard the announcement of the angel had to wait to fully comprehend the coming of the Savior. But now the season of Epiphany invites us to see Christ for who He really is. Today begins the manifestation of Christ, as He is revealed to be the King of the Jews, and, indeed, of all men. Next week we will hear of our Lord’s baptism in the Jordan River, when Christ is revealed to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The following Sunday, at the wedding of Cana, Christ is revealed to be the Church’s Bridegroom who lays down His life for her. And on the final Sunday after the Epiphany, at the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Christ is revealed to be Almighty God in the flesh.
And so, the season of Epiphany begins today with our hearing of the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child. These Magi were magicians from the orient, astrologers or wise men who likely came from ancient Persia or Babylon. Evidently, they were familiar with the Books of Moses, likely having received them from Daniel during the Babylonian Captivity of Judah. For these men were familiar with Balaam’s fourth prophecy from Numbers 24, wherein Balaam foresaw the coming of Christ:
“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17a).
And so, when the Christmas star appeared in the sky, there was no doubt in the Magi’s mind as to what this could mean. The King of the Jews was born. And so, they went in search of this newborn King in order to offer Him their worship and their treasures. And the very fact that these Gentiles embarked on such a journey reveals their profound faith and understanding that the King of the Jews was their king also. Therefore, the Magi reveal for us that Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews, and, indeed, of all men.
Because Jesus is the King of all men, His birth challenges all earthly authorities. For all of Herod’s flaws—and there were many—for all of his flaws, he understood this. This is why we read that when the Magi came to Jerusalem asking for the location of the newborn King of the Jews:
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him (Matthew 2:3).
For Herod understood that the coming of Christ was a challenge to his own kingly authority. Therefore, Herod plotted and raged against the newborn King, just as the second Psalm predicted.
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed (Psalm 2:1-2).
Though Herod would wreak havoc and destruction on the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, yet he would not win in the end. For the second Psalm goes on:
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2:4-6).
For in the end, it is to Christ that all authority has been given in heaven and on earth (cf. Matthew 28:18). And our Lord was likewise clear about the source of all earthly authority when He stood before Pontius Pilate and said to the governor:
“You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given to you from above” (John 19:11a).
And so it is that the kingship of Jesus challenges earthly authority. There is no such thing as an absolute monarchy on this earth, for every earthly authority is dependent upon and subject to Christ’s kingship.
The fact that the authorities of our world fight against Christ’s kingship and wage war against His Church and its values demonstrates that they are on the losing side. Like Herod before them, they are fighting in vain against the incarnate Son of God. In the end, there will be only one victor. Herod will die, and Christ will be exalted to the right hand of God. Indeed, all the rulers of this earth must submit to Christ—either willingly or by force. Therefore, we need not fear corrupt politicians and secular authorities. To be sure, we submit to them as Scripture instructs, so long as their commands are not contrary to our faith (cf. Romans 7:1-7; Acts 5:29). We pray for them (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-3). And like Joseph and Daniel, we work for the betterment of our country. But we need not fear the raging of earthly authorities because God will have the last laugh.
Therefore, the Magi are for us an example and a pattern. These men heard the truth, and they believed it wholeheartedly. Having seen the sign of Christ’s birth, they could not remain as they were. They were compelled to leave behind their homeland and to seek out the newborn King, so that they might worship Him and offer up their treasures to Him.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and [they] fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).
This is the proper response to the kingship of Jesus. For He is our highest and ultimate authority. We dare not submit to anyone else above Him. And this is always the temptation of our sinful flesh—to fear, love, and trust in another above Christ. This is why the Magi’s example is instructive for us. For they came to worship Christ at significant personal cost. The one who can’t be bothered to leave home to attend church but instead uses the crutch of the livestream or a recording should look to the example of the Magi. Sure, there is a time and a place for utilizing technology resources for worship, but when those times lead one to be absent from the Lord’s house more often than not, a serious re-evaluation of priorities ought to be done. Look at the Magi—they left behind their homes and journeyed for days across the dangerous wilderness merely for the opportunity to glimpse the Christ Child and to fall down before Him in worship. How can we not make every effort to come to the Lord’s house on Sundays to do the same?—and this especially when we come here to receive Christ in His Body and Blood for our forgiveness, life, and salvation—something which the Magi couldn’t even imagine!
And then there are the treasures which the Magi offered to the Lord—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were expensive gifts, which were of great cost to the Magi—not only in their monetary value, but also in the effort and care which was required to transport them safely on the backs of camels through the wilderness. The one who can’t be bothered to give even a cent of his income to Christ’s church today should look to the example of the Magi. They understood that Christ is Lord of all. Everything that they had was from Him. How could they not—indeed, how could we not give back to Him a portion of what He has given to us? For in the church, the Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are administered, and these are the primary means by which our faith in Christ is strengthened and our hope of eternal life is assured. And in a church like ours we also have a school where every day children are taught the faith and how to be godly men and women when they grow up. These efforts require much manpower and time to occur, and without your continual support, this godly work cannot continue to happen. Therefore, let us follow in the example of the Magi and give sacrificially to the Lord and His church, which will both help to counteract the vice of greed within us and to further Christ’s kingdom here in Bristol.
Dear friends in Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ is not only the King of the Jews. He is the King of all men. Therefore, let us not follow in the ways of Herod, vainly fighting against Christ’s kingship and refusing to submit to Him. Instead, let us follow the example of the Magi in coming to worship our Lord and receive His Word and Sacrament regularly. And let us respond to His goodness and generosity in our lives by sacrificially giving back to Him. For He is the one who has come to shepherd His people, as the Scripture says (cf. Matt. 2:6; Micah 5:2). He is the Shepherd-King who cares for you. And of His Kingdom there will be no end (cf. Isaiah 9:6-7).
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
