2021.01.03 Wise Men?

Wise Men?

We seem to know an awful lot about these men who came from the east to worship Jesus. Most of us believe incorrect information about these men, so I try every year to counteract those untruths by teaching the reality of the Magi.

So, let’s start with what we really do know from the Scriptures?

“magi came from the east”

“They entered the house and saw the child”

“they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”

First, their title:

Magi [μάγοι] (magoi - plural of magos) wise man and priest, who was expert in astrology, interpretation of dreams and various other occult arts

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. μάγος

wise man and priest, who was expert in astrology, interpretation of dreams and various other occult arts

This Greek word is used only 5 times in the NT. Three of those are in this story! The other two are found in one encounter in the book of Acts. Paul and Barnabas encounter two people given this title in Acts 13. We translate both of these as sorcerer or magician. Some believe magi were sorcerers, some believe they were astrologers. They were involved in some sort of mysterious reading of the unknown. So, magi or magicians or sorcerers would be accurate. Wise men? Perhaps, but we can’t presume wisdom..only a knowledge of some sort of dark arts.

But Kings? Definitively not!

In the early days of the Church, some early writers referred to the Magi as kings, and unfortunately it stuck. The Bible never mentions any kings coming to worship Jesus … ever! Magi came from the east… Wow! Thanks for being so specific, Matthew. More than half of the known world was east of Israel. The east? That’s it?

To this day, “...church traditions in dozens of countries claim to be their country of origin.”

Ashby, Chad, Magi, Wise Men, or Kings? It’s Complicated, Christianity Today, Dec. 16, 2016. Accessed 11/24/2020. https://www.theaquilareport.com/magi-wise-men-kings-complicated/

They weren’t royalty. Where did they meet the child Jesus?

Matthew writes they “entered the house”. Since Jesus was not born and laid in a house, the magi certainly did not appear the night of his birth. Other clues in the story suggest it wasn’t likely even the same time frame or in Bethlehem.

The Greek word used for “child” here is

[παιδίον] (paidion) a child, normally below the age of puberty

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. παιδίον

a child, normally below the age of puberty, child

Some sources argue that the top end of this word is age seven. Either way, it’s a minor child, and it’s not the same word used for a baby.

Matthew never refers to Jesus as a baby, but Luke does. Luke records a story of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth back while both women are pregnant in the first chapter of his gospel. When Mary arrives, Luke writes that the baby within Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy.

Luke uses the same word for the baby in Elizabeth’s womb, and for Jesus when he refers to Jesus as a ‘baby laying in a manger.’

That word is [βρέφος] (brephos) (it has two meanings)

a child that is still unborn, fetus, child

a very small child, baby, infant

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. βρέφος

a very small child, baby, infant

By using the word, paidion, Matthew is plainly saying that Jesus was a child, not a baby when the magi arrived, and it was in the house, not a stable.

So … they weren’t royalty. The didn’t visit in the stable, and Jesus wasn’t likely a baby. — But how many magi were there?

The Bible doesn’t say how many magi came. The Greek word used here (Magoi) is the plural of magos, so we can say with certainty that it was more than 1. Traditionally, we’ve been taught 3 magi because they presented 3 gifts [gold, frankincense and myrrh]. Three gifts…three magi. Sounds logical, but it’s just as logical to think that the magi EACH gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh. Either way … we don’t know how many magi came … just that it was more than 1.

First Century art in the catacombs depict 2 Magi in one place and 4 in another, so it seems the Church has never really known the answer to this question.

Lanier, Greg, We Three Kings of Orient Aren’t, The Gospel Coalition, accessed 11/24/20 https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/three-kings-orient-arent/

So … they weren’t royal; didn’t visit the stable; Jesus wasn’t a baby; we don’t know how many there were. So why are they important enough to have a holy day on our calendar?

I would propose that the magi are considered “wise” because they walked past social and political obstacles to come worship Jesus … and you and I would be wise to follow that example. Coming “from the East”, they were NOT likely Jewish. So, they had to walk past their own culture’s norms and expectations to come worship Jesus. We would be well-advised to overcome our own personal and cultural obstacles to worship Jesus for who he is.

Our society is decidedly post-Christian … dare I even say anti-Christian. So to make a bold statement for Christ is countercultural. We can’t stand in today’s marketplace and make bold declarations about Jesus without expecting a challenge.

So, maybe it would be a good time to challenge society’s status quo this morning. As we celebrate a New Year and prepare to approach Christ’s Communion Table, let me encourage you to join together to make a bold statement of your faith in Christ. I have lots of liturgy, lots of call-and-response to go through, and then Pastor Ernie will do a lot of that as well for the Communion liturgy. I understand, believe me, I understand how awkward that feels watching a video online. So, let me give a little bit of advice before I jump in:

The awkwardness diminishes quickly if you decide to not just watch. The best-case is that you would fully participate. It takes a lot to overcome the awkwardness of that … especially if you’re watching in the breakroom at work during your lunch. So, let me give you an alternative:

I’m gonna ask our video person to zoom in on the screen. Don’t worry about showing me.

As I lead you through John Wesley’s Covenant Renewal liturgy, pay close attention to the words. If you’re only half-heartedly paying attention (I’ve watched videos online, so I know how that goes) … for the next few minute, try to pay close attention to instructions given, commitments being made, and consider in your heart if you’re willing to make those commitments. Even if you haven’t responded out loud … If you’ve paid close attention, and are willing to make these commitments … during the prayer at the end, simply say, “I do.”

God knows you’re heart, and he would rather have your heart’s attention than your lips reading empty words back on the screen.

Let’s begin with prayer:

Covenant Renewal Service (United Methodist Book of Worship)

O God, Searcher of all our hearts,

you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own.

As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace,

and to enter anew into covenant with you,

reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us.

Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being,

and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Covenant Renewal Service (United Methodist Book of Worship)

[Slides]

Brothers and sisters:

Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants.

Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him.

Christ has many services to be done.

Some are more easy and honorable,

others are more difficult and disgraceful.

Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests,

others are contrary to both.

In some we may please Christ and please ourselves.

But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ

except by denying ourselves.

It is necessary, therefore,

that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.

Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:

LET ME BE YOUR SERVANT, UNDER YOUR COMMAND.

I WILL NO LONGER BE MY OWN.

I WILL GIVE UP MYSELF TO YOUR WILL IN ALL THINGS.

Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.

LORD, MAKE ME WHAT YOU WILL.

I PUT MYSELF FULLY INTO YOUR HANDS:

PUT ME TO DOING, PUT ME TO SUFFERING,

LET ME BE EMPLOYED FOR YOU, OR LAID ASIDE FOR YOU,

LET ME BE FULL, LET ME BE EMPTY,

LET ME HAVE ALL THINGS, LET ME HAVE NOTHING.

I FREELY AND WITH A WILLING HEART

GIVE IT ALL TO YOUR PLEASURE AND DISPOSAL.

He is the source of all salvation to those who obey.

Christ will have no servants except by consent;

Christ will not accept anything except full consent

to all that he requires.

Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing.

Confirm this by a holy covenant.

Before making this covenant, listen to these admonitions:

First, seek earnestly God's special assistance

and gracious acceptance of you;

in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant;

in searching your hearts

whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.

Consider what your sins are.

Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are,

and whether you, after having carefully considered them,

are willing to choose them all.

Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God.

Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.

Third, claim God's covenant,

rely upon His promise of giving grace and strength,

so you can keep your promise.

Trust not your own strength and power.

Fourth, resolve to be faithful.

With God's power, never go back.

And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord.

Fall down on your knees, lift your hands toward heaven,

open your hearts to the Lord, as we pray:

O RIGHTEOUS GOD, FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST,

SEE ME AS I FALL DOWN BEFORE YOU.

FORGIVE MY UNFAITHFULNESS IN NOT HAVING DONE YOUR WILL,

FOR YOU HAVE PROMISED MERCY TO ME

IF I TURN TO YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEART.

God requires that you shall put away all your idols.

I HERE FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART RENOUNCE THEM ALL, COVENANTING WITH YOU THAT NO KNOWN SIN SHALL BE ALLOWED IN MY LIFE.

AGAINST YOUR WILL, I HAVE TURNED MY LOVE TOWARD THE WORLD.

IN YOUR POWER I WILL WATCH ALL TEMPTATIONS THAT WILL LEAD ME AWAY FROM YOU.

FOR MY OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIDDLED WITH SIN, UNABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU.

Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again

if you would let him.

BEFORE ALL HEAVEN AND EARTH,

I HERE ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AS MY LORD AND GOD.

I TAKE YOU, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, FOR MY PORTION,

AND VOW TO GIVE UP MYSELF, BODY AND SOUL, AS YOUR SERVANT,

TO SERVE YOU IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way and means of coming to God.

JESUS, I DO HERE ON BENDED KNEES ACCEPT CHRIST

AS THE ONLY NEW AND LIVING WAY,

AND SINCERELY JOIN MYSELF IN A COVENANT WITH HIM.

O BLESSED JESUS, I COME TO YOU,

HUNGRY, SINFUL, MISERABLE, BLIND, AND NAKED,

UNWORTHY EVEN TO WASH THE FEET OF YOUR SERVANTS.

I DO HERE, WITH ALL MY POWER, ACCEPT YOU AS MY LORD AND HEAD.

I RENOUNCE MY OWN WORTHINESS,

AND VOW THAT YOU ARE THE LORD, MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.

I RENOUNCE MY OWN WISDOM, AND TAKE YOU FOR MY ONLY GUIDE.

I RENOUNCE MY OWN WILL, AND TAKE YOUR WILL AS MY LAW.

Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.

I DO HERE COVENANT WITH YOU, O CHRIST,

TO TAKE MY LOT WITH YOU AS IT MAY FALL.

THROUGH YOUR GRACE I PROMISE

THAT NEITHER LIFE NOR DEATH SHALL PART ME FROM YOU.

God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.

I DO HERE WILLINGLY PUT MY NECK UNDER YOUR YOKE, TO CARRY YOUR BURDEN.

ALL YOUR LAWS ARE HOLY, JUST, AND GOOD.

I THEREFORE TAKE THEM AS THE RULE FOR MY WORDS, THOUGHTS, AND ACTIONS,

PROMISING THAT I WILL STRIVE

TO ORDER MY WHOLE LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR DIRECTION,

AND NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO NEGLECT ANYTHING I KNOW TO BE MY DUTY.

The almighty God searches and knows your heart.

O GOD, YOU KNOW THAT I MAKE THIS COVENANT WITH YOU TODAY

WITHOUT GUILE OR RESERVATION.

IF ANY FALSEHOOD SHOULD BE IN IT, GUIDE ME AND HELP ME TO SET IT ARIGHT.

AND NOW, GLORY BE TO YOU, O GOD THE FATHER,

WHOM I FROM THIS DAY FORWARD SHALL LOOK UPON AS MY GOD AND FATHER.

GLORY BE TO YOU, O GOD THE SON,

WHO HAVE LOVED ME AND WASHED ME FROM MY SINS IN YOUR OWN BLOOD,

AND NOW IS MY SAVIOR AND REDEEMER.

GLORY BE TO YOU, O GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT,

WHO BY YOUR ALMIGHTY POWER HAVE TURNED MY HEART FROM SIN TO GOD.

O MIGHTY GOD, THE LORD OMNIPOTENT, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT,

YOU HAVE NOW BECOME MY COVENANT FRIEND.

AND I, THROUGH YOUR INFINITE GRACE, HAVE BECOME YOUR COVENANT SERVANT.

SO BE IT.

AND LET THE COVENANT I HAVE MADE ON EARTH BE RATIFIED IN HEAVEN.

AMEN.