1/6: Epiphany

Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:1–12 HCSB

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

Intro

Some of you may be thinking to yourself, why are we reading a Christmas story? Well the truth is actually that this passage is not at all a Christmas story. And yet so often when we see a nativity scene or maybe even see a Christmas play, there is always three wisemen when technically it is historically inaccurate. They did not show up until much later.

Body

What is Epiphany?

Epiphany, which literally means “to show” or “make known,” is about Jesus Christ being revealed as both the divine Son of God and as Savior to the whole world. You will recall that we have just moved through the Season of Advent, the coming of the Messiah to the world and a reminder of his promise to come again. And that culminated on Christmas day with his birth.

In Epiphany, we focus on the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God. As more than just a man, but truly God, the second person of the Trinity, the divine Logos that took flesh. The only Savior of the world who took the sins of sinners on the cross.

One of the events which traditionally marks Epiphany is the event we just read this morning. The account of how Jesus was visited by the wise men from the east. And as I said earlier, it is not really a Christmas story, but it reveals early in Jesus’ life the controversy and coronation of Jesus.

Controvery

King Herod was the villain. And especially towards the end of his life, he grew more and more paranoid. All of the good things that he had done essentially were counter-balanced by the violence that he committed. And he had done many good things.....

During his reign, it was truly one of splendor and glory. The Hellenistic culture grew greatly and Herod had a building program that was unrivaled in the country’s history.

He even rebuilt the Temple in glory and status much grander than that of Solomon’s temple

Villanious stuff

He laid oppressive taxes on and conscripted labor from the Israelites. As he grew older, he became increasingly paranoid about threats against his person and throne. He had numerous sons, wives, and others close to him put to death because he feared plots to overthrow him. After frequent disputes with Caesar Augustus, the emperor uttered his famous pun that he would rather be Herod’s pig (hys) than his son (huios).

He became paranoid and he built fortresses for himself as refuges if he felt threatened. He murdered his own children and of his ten wives, his favorite was Marimamme I. But that did not keep him from executing her parents and even her as well. And then he executed his two sons from Marimamme for alleged plots and murmurings to murder him. Again…paranoia.

He was a good king, but he was also a wicked and evil king. In contrast to the Jesus who is a perfect king.

Coronation

And a group of magi appear from the east in Jerusalem and present themselves before the king. There may have been three, but there is no indication in the Scriptures for us to know how many there are. And they are seeking the king. These pagan men would read the stars and from them mark the coming of a great king. And so they had traveled, following a star to see this newly born king. These are not men of God, in fact we will later read about the men of God, but rather these men were star gazers, astrologists. They came to give proper worship to this king. They had not heard a voice from God or seen some sort of divine vision, they simply examined the signs in the heavens.

King Herod gathers all the chief priests and scribes gather and they know the prophecy. Yet none of them go on this journey. Why?

1) Fear of Man- They did not want to look foolish

2) Fear of Municipalities- Fearful of the consequences from governing authorities

We do not know what exactly was the cause for their lack of worship. but we know that they lacked what was appropriate, a fear of God. They did not trust God! So they did not seek after the fulfillment of prophecy. They were waiting for this prophecy to be fulfilled and yet they never went.

Pharisees were good. This was a religious sect that tried to be very cautious and careful and to follow God truly. They came into existence during the Intertestamental period and protested the Hellenization of the Jewish people. They developed the oral traditions and were most involved in the purity of the people. This was the Jewish sect that had a strong devotion and refined skills in understanding the law.

And so, you would expect them to be very eager to see Jesus, the Messiah. But they did not. In fact, the only one who seems to be eager are the Magi and Herod. One who truly seeks the King, and the other who is being deceitful, claiming to want to see the king to worship him, when he really wanted to protect his own throne.

The wise men, find Jesus at his home, not in a manger. vs 10 is interesting, they were following the star since the beginning of their journey. But in verse 10 it says, when they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Why? Not that this is a different star, but that the star had stopped moving. They had finally arrived. Can you imagine the joy that they had in finally making it to their destination.

But was it understood? Their act in reverence and worship truly reveals who Jesus is.

- He is truly King

- He came to recognized by all mankind, not just the Jews. A foreshadowing of an opening of salvation to all who will believe. He truly is the good shepherd. (John 10)

But then they return. Had they really known who it was that they were in the presence of, I doubt that they would have wanted to leave. Rather, they would have responded similarly to the Shepherds in how they went out proclaiming in the entire town everything that they had known about this child (Luke 2:17). Which brings up a couple of questions:

How will we respond to this revelation of who Jesus is? (Beginning)

Do we receive Jesus as Lord?

Do we reject Him?

Are we living a ruse? Pretending to have received him, but truly the way we lie shows we have truly not understood what that means or costs.

How will we relate this truth to others and even ourselves in our daily living? (Ongoing)

Does this truth impact us significantly?

Will we operate in more of a loving manner to our children? Understanding we do not control them, but we guide them in the truth and not demand strict legalistic obedience? (Family)

(Wife)

(Church- Service to church)

(Evangelism)

(Workplace)

How will we be received by our Lord? (End)

How will Jesus be received? How does that show up in the way that we live and conduct our lives?

How does that evidence itself especially in the new year?

Conclusion

How does this relate to Epiphany?

As He much as He offers grace and forgiveness to us, He reminds us that the story of Jesus is ultimately not about us; it’s not merely personal but it’s global. It’s about His glory and the glory of the nations.

You know…this is the very first Sunday of the New Year and i think it is a good thing for us to do some self-reflection. Just thinking back on the past 6 days, what do you think your life is proclaiming? We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, his representative to the whole world. what do they see?

I think sometimes, we act too much like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They knew he truth. They knew all about the Words of God and yet they did not worship him. They did not serve and acknowledge him as their true king. No, when King Herod called, they came. They answered to Herod, but not to Jesus. And it is backwards what we read. The pagan wisemen are the ones being most righteous and the religious ones are the ones acting the most pagan.

And in the beginning of this new year, we have to think, how have I been living last year? How have I been living these past several days? Is Jesus Lord in my life or is he Lord of my life?

What can we do?

We need to depend on the One who sent the Son

Examine our hearts and lives

We need to grow in dependence on the Son as he reveals himself in his word

Join the Bible Reading Plan

We need to devote ourselves to prayer

Prayer meeting