January 3, 2016 – Epiphany Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Star light, star bright/ First star I see tonight,/ I wish I may, I wish I might,/Have this wish I wish tonight.” And then there’s the Jiminy Cricket version: “When you wish upon a star/Makes no difference who you are/Anything your heart desires/Will come to you.”
Stars. There are numerous poems about them. But the one star that always stands out most for us is the one in our text: “For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship him.” His star? Jupiter? Venus? A comet? And the speculation goes on every year. How about supernatural? How about miraculous? How about a question . . .
“WHAT STAR DO YOU FOLLOW?”
Today we celebrate “Epiphany”. The word comes from a Greek word meaning, “to show, to reveal, to make manifest.” It’s the time we celebrate the wonderful news that Christ reveals Himself to the Gentiles, the non-Jews.
So the Wise Men see his star and rise to go worship. In this section of Scripture we always get caught up in the periphery of the story than the importance of the story. Were there three wise men? Nobody knows – only God. There could have been thirty-three. What is important is that they are Gentiles and God has guided them to that place and time.
“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.” (v. 3) Disturbed at God’s presence? Why? Because God’s presence says something about sin, death, and judgment. That would mess up Herod’s little heaven on earth. He wants to be the star and somebody is pushing their way past. Herod is a picture of many in the world. They focus so much on themselves that they miss the Word in the flesh – Christ the Savior. They excuse themselves from any judgment because they can do what they want – just like Herod. How often are we guilty if this offense? Looking out for #1. “Hey, I’m the star here, don’t close the curtain. Lord, I’ll do better next time.”
What comes next is down right fascinating. We’re told, “…assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.” (v. 4) Wow! Herod knew enough and had enough confidence in the Old Testament Word of God to believe it contained information about the birth of Christ. He knew the Messiah was coming into the world but wanted no part of it. He knew- He had knowledge!
Herod is like so many today; those in the church and those outside the church who hear the Word of God and somehow conclude it doesn’t apply to them. It’s post-modern math: 2 plus 2 equals 5. They kick at the word. They hate the word. Why do atheists fight so hard to remove God’s Word from everything if they don’t believe anything about that Word? Because down deep in places they don’t want to talk about at parties they are just like Herod. They know the truth is there. They know who the real star is.
So do the Magi. Our text again, “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshipped Him. (vs. 9-11a)
There is that star again. God is pulling the heartstrings of the Magi. Nothing must get in the way of their journey. Most people around them could care less about the star. The fact that the Kings of kings is born in this backwater town does not stop them or cause them to doubt.
Today people are fascinated with stars. Why are many Internet sights so popular? Because they deal with the famous. They deal with the important. We have made stars out of people who otherwise would not have been noticed. We love to watch TMZ and read “People” magazine. We follow them on Twitter.
And if we are not getting caught up in that mess, then we must be following the latest rash explanation for the star. Let’s see, now, is it the History Channel or the Discovery Channel which always wants to explain it rationally? Isn’t the star really a reminder that no matter how long and rough and sin struggling the road of life is, God is always there directing and guiding His people? Isn’t that it? Word and Sacrament. God coming to us over and over again, guiding and directing us to the place where God says, “Your sin is forgiven. You belong to me.”
This star we follow – this Star of Jesus – is not just for us, it is for others. Those caught up in the wrong type of star gazing. Those with no hope. The Light of Christ – The Star – that will finally lift all who believe to eternal life and Light!
Amen.