Epiphany (Observed)
January 5th, 2014
Matthew 2:1-12
Grace and peace...
As we observe this Feast of the
Epiphany of our Lord, what better time to have a missions emphasis?
I understand there's a lot of support for foreign missions around
here, as you pastor has already told me about some of the medical
mercy work being done in Madagascar. Well, today I thank you for the
invitation to come and share with you first of all the Word, and a
little about my work in Singapore.
Epiphany – the Christmas of the
Gentiles. Epiphany – the season of light, the word “epiphany”
meaning “appearance” or “manifestation” or “revealing”.
It is the “appearance of our Lord” or the “revealing of our
Lord”. It is the third part of the larger Christmas season of the
church – Advent, which anticipates his birth, Christmas proper,
which marks it – and Epiphany, which unpacks the meaning and
significance of the One born in Bethlehem.
And there is so much rich meaning in
this text from Matthew alone. Bethlehem, for instance, which means
“house of bread”. And it is here that the Bread of Life would
make his appearance.
The star – a mystery – what was it?
A comet? A supernova? An angel? Angels are symbolized as stars
elsewhere in Scripture and here the star has the same function – as
a messenger, leading people to Christ, the Word made flesh. Just as
prophets and evangelists and pastors are “stars” and “angels”
in the same way – leading you to, proclaiming to you the word of
Christ, the good news of his salvation.
And then there's Herod. How God uses
wicked men even in spite of themselves, as he works all things
together for the good of those who love him. This king, and all
earthly kings, must bow to the king of kings. Herod, who shed the
blood of the Holy Innocents, but could not find Jesus. And Jesus
would one day stand innocent and silent before another Herod on the
day he was crucified for the sins of both Herods and for all wicked
men, including you and me.
Wickedness and darkness go together.
Light and life go together. For those of us born into sin and death,
our old nature likes the darkness. Sin thrives in the darkness,
where it thinks it can hide. Who wants the spotlight focused on his
sins? Who wants his deep dark secrets dragged out into the light of
day? Imagine if your worst offenses were read aloud here in church
for all to hear? You did what? Gasp. Horror. No, we like our sins
in the dark, where we can pretend they don't matter, and that no one
will see. But God can see all. The perfect judge won't let us get
away with it.
He could sentence us, for we are
guilty. But instead he sends this babe. This innocent one. His own
Son. And in this blessed child, the darkness is swallowed up in
light, for he is indeed the Light of the World. This Light shines in
the darkness and yet the darkness does not understand. This Light
chases away the darkness, and puts to death all death lurking there.
The Light of Christ brings life and immortality to light for all who
trust in him, and so we are not lumped with wicked Herod but counted
innocent in Christ.
And then of course, the wise men from
the East. Not even necessarily just three of them, there may have
been more! We only know the three gifts they brought. Probably not
kings themselves, but more likely stargazers. How had they learned
of this prophecy? Remember the Jews were captive in Babylon for 80
years. So perhaps they even knew their Old Testament. But no
matter, what matters not is who they are and how they knew, but that
they were called, and who they came to see. Just as they could never
have found Jesus on their own, so are you and I lost on our own. I
believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in my Lord
Jesus Christ or come to him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the
Gospel and enlightened me with his gifts....
His gifts... not gifts of Gold,
Frankincense and Myrrh. Gifts of forgiveness and blessing. Gifts
revealed and manifest in the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of the
Cross. Gifts applied in the word spoken by heaven's highest angels
and by Earth's lowliest preachers. Gifts for the Jews who waited
millennia, and the Gentiles who sat in darkness all those years.
Gifts more precious than gold, sweeter-smelling than frankincense,
more valuable than myrrh. The blood of the lamb, holy and precious,
shed for us all, to make us holy and precious.
In view of all of this, as a result of
all of this, because of the gifts he gives so richly, we bow before
him and bring ours in return. Paltry though they are, like the
little drummer boy, even our gold pales in comparison. This is not
an even swap, or quid-pro-quo. We are beggars made millionaires
whose repayment isn't even a dime. But worship we must, and serve
our neighbor we so desire. We have been so loved and served in
Christ, how can we not love and serve as we are called?
One of the best ways we can serve our
neighbor is by sharing the hope within us. By pointing like that
guiding star to the manger and the cross. By doing what we can to
further the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our world. And we
can do it so many ways. We do it by our silent witness to the world
– loving neighbors with no strings attached. Mercy shown to the
lowly, for mercy has been shown to us. We do it by giving answer
when asked the hope within us – “what is it that makes you
tick?”, “ Why that's Jesus Christ, who saves me by grace.”
And we love and serve our neighbor when we support the preaching of
Christ here at home and to the ends of the earth.
Today, instead of wise men from the
East, you have a simple pastor called to serve in the far east. I
would bring you no other gift than that which I have received – the
message of Christ crucified for sinners like you and me. It is the
same message I am called to preach in Singapore – where the
Christians are fewer and the need for Christ's gifts is great. A
multi-ethnic city-state of 5.5 million souls, Singapore is another
field ready for the Lord's harvest. As I have already begun to
gather those who would hear, so we plan to establish a congregation
there that will gather regularly to receive the gifts of Christ in
Word and Washing and Meal. His appearance and manifestation will
continue under these humble forms, just as it does here, week in and
week out. And as it has throughout these latter days. And as it
will until his Great Epiphany, his final appearance in glory on the
last day.
As we enter the Epiphany season, let us
join the wise men at Bethlehem, and receive the gift of Christ anew.
As he is revealed to us, may his Spirit empower us to be faithful in
all things, and to share the gifts and the Gift.
