Matthew 2 1-12 Ficenscher

Epiphany of Our Lord

JUST AS MUCH THE STAR

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II

You all know the plot line of Epiphany. Epiphany is the wise men's day in the spotlight, their day in the limelight, their day to take center stage. Epiphany is the day the cameras focus on the magi, coming from the east, to bring gold and frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. You know the story, don't you. Wise men travel a great distance to Jerusalem to find the newborn King of the Jews. They consult with wicked King Herod, who pretends to wish to worship Jesus, too. Then, leaving Jerusalem, they complete their journey to Bethlehem and reach their goal.

That's Epiphany. The Christmas angels have gone away into heaven; the shepherds have returned from the manger glorifying and praising God. Now, today, we see the wise men as the stars of the show.

I've got a proposition for you this morning. May I suggest that

HEROD WAS JUST AS MUCH THE STAR OF EPIPHANY AS WERE THE WISE MEN.

Now, how can that be? You know what the wise men were like.

I. The wise men were shining examples of faith (1-2)

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'"

Now, wise men seem well-suited be stars Epiphany, don't they

Certainly had star quality
All the potential to be next James Bond, but probably have preferred cast in role Forrest Gump

Intelligent/rich/sophisticated
Yet humble/trusting/naive

That is to say, for all their worldly advantages, above all: faithful

Wise men well-studied in wisdom of world, but apparently also students of Scripture

Chances are: astrologers

Usually part of job men advised kings ancient East
That no example for us (God prohibits astrology/ horoscopes/fortune telling because He tells us everything need know)

But not through astrology wise men understood meaning of amazing new star appeared sky
Most likely through diligent study OT Scriptures

Captivity of Jews had spread God's Word to Babylon, Persia, East
And in Numbers 24:17 God had promised:

"A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel."

Likely wise men studied passage, interpreted mean star would mark birth of one who hold scepter--king

That is marvelous example to us
#. Wise men also men of wealth/position, yet humble
When quest finally completed, (11)

"When they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

These are rich men, important men #. But here they are, bowing to little toddler

Beautiful example of faith, isn't it (star-quality faith!)

Everything we have is gift from that little baby #. Everything we have to be dedicated to, used for that little child
And no position/honor/achievement we have makes us great before Him

Yet the wise men are also a marvelous example of faith that those who aren't great may approach Him.

Wise men were Gentiles, yet were confident that God and King of Jews would accept them

Did you know: for millions Christians (whole Eastern Orthodox branch Christianity) Epiphany celebrated as real Christmas festival?

Birth Jesus celebrated December 25 #. But their big celebration is day God showed Christ for Gentiles also

At time of Christ, that no foregone conclusion

Many Jesus' own people thought Messiah just for them
Took lot faith Gentile wise men travel those 100s/ even 1000s miles worship/give gifts King Jews

Certainly the wise men were men of faith. We can see them cast as the stars of the Epiphany drama, can't we. But, remember, we said that King Herod was as much the star of Epiphany as they were.

II. Herod was an example of darkest evil

If anyone in Bible could play Darth Vader, I think Herod

He was nobody's star
Herod was crazed murderer

Had favorite wife, son executed because thought designs his throne
Want know how wicked Herod?

Couple years after text, when Herod sick, knew going die, deep regret was that no one would mourn for him (of course, was right!)
So had his sister call all chief nobles of Jews to gather Hippodrome in Jerusalem, then placed guards around building and gave orders that when he dead, everyone inside to be killed
In that way, he knew, would be great weeping throughout country

Guy was crazy! and terribly, terribly evil!

(3) "When Herod the king heard these things [about a new King of the Jews], he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

No wonder Jerusalem troubled--no telling what Herod might do

Herod only one thought, but concealed it under guise of religious piety (4-8) "When [Herod] had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet [Micah 5:2]: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel."' Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.'"

Worst kind of wickedness, isn't it
Used religious teachers and sincere/naive faith of wise men for his devilish plan
This nothing less than dark plotting of Satanic wickedness itself

So, then, how in the world could Herod be just as much the star as were the wise men?

III. (But) Herod was just as much the star as were the wise men because neither of them is the star; the star is the star of this show

(2b, 9b-10) "'We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'... And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy."

Star is star of Epiphany show because is God's invitation which invites all people to Savior

Wise men faithful because something to place faith in--God's promise of Savior

Star signaled fulfillment of Numbers 24:17 #. But also of Genesis 3:15: seed of woman (Christ) crush head serpent (Satan)
And of Isaiah 7:14: virgin have Son, Immanuel, God with us
And of Isaiah 53 (5)

"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

Not the wise men, not Herod, but star is star because announced Christ:

The fulfillment all God's promises
One who would be born/live/suffer/die/rise to save all people

God put star in sky where all could see

God's way of announcing Gentiles, too/people all lands/languages/backgrounds included

We included/you/I
All people

Star shined in East over wise men
Know what else? shined over Jerusalem, too, over Herod

Yeh, star of Epiphany included him, too
God even gave Herod personal interpretation of star

Remember when Herod called priests/scribes, they quoted to him prophecy Micah 5:2 (Christ born Bethlehem)?
Herod's only purpose in hearing prophecy to kill Jesus
But even in his wickedness, through that reading Scripture, God speaking Herod with earnest intent save him
"Heh, Herod, look up in sky--star inviting you! Savior has come for you, too!"

Despite his wickedness, God really wanted Herod believe/saved

That ultimately message of star/message of Epiphany: Christ Jesus our Savior no matter who are, where are, how sinful been

Neither the wise men nor Herod were stars of the Epiphany show, but they weren't just bit parts either. They were equally significant characters, and so are we. We're all people who aren't worthy to be stars--we're outsiders, sinners--on whom the real Star has shined.

This Page Was Last Revised: 31 January, 2000