Sermon - Epiphany (Observed) - Matthew 2:1-12

 

Today we observe Epiphany, the Christmas of the Gentiles, as it is sometimes called.  An “epiphany” is a manifestation or appearance.  It’s something that shows up abruptly.  Like a sudden realization, “oh, he’s had an epiphany!” or a light switched on in a dark room.  The “Epiphany of our Lord” is the day in which the world comes to recognize that the Christ has appeared on the scene.  And these wise men from another country stand as apt representatives of the gentiles – the nations – in coming to worship the king of kings. 

And as St. Matthew tells the story, the other prominent character is King Herod, who ruled Jerusalem at the time. 

 

 “Herod the Great” he was called.  A king who ruled the Jews on behalf of the Romans.  He built great monuments and cities and fortresses.  Most famously, he did a major renovation of the temple.  He came to power because his father was chummy with Julius Caesar, and he had already ruled Israel on behalf of the Romans for some 30 years when the wise men showed up.   

 

But Herod was also a bad dude.  A tyrant.  A scoundrel. He ruthlessly stamped out any possible threats to his throne, including executing family members on several occasions.  So when these strangers from the East come to town asking “where’s the new king?”, you can see why Luke’s comment here is understated:  “Herod was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him”.  If Herod is disturbed, everyone is disturbed.  If Herod has it in him to execute even his own wife, then no one is safe from his paranoid wrath.   

 

But he was a schemer, too.  Wise and slick, not one to just smash indiscriminately.  So he had a plan.  He would turn these wise men into his fools, make them unknowing spies to do his bidding.  “Go find the child, and then tell me so I can worship him, too”.  But crusty old Herod had no intention to worship.  He just wanted rivals and threats out of the way.  We know it, because once the wise men gave him the slip, he ordered the slaughter of all the boys of Bethlehem in order to rule out any possible challenger to his power.  Better safe than sorry, he must have thought. And the children paid the price for his cruel pragmatism.  What a dark chapter in the Christmas story.

And perhaps no one represents the darkness of this world more than Herod.  Concerned with himself only, his power, his position and status.  Willing to sacrifice anyone and anything to get and keep what he wants.  Ready to lie and cheat and steal and scheme.  And no friend to God, or to Jesus.  Herod is the Old Adam on steroids, or perhaps just unleashed with the perfect opportunities. 

 

When reading a story, including a Bible story, it’s natural to “read yourself in.” To identify, perhaps even subconsciously, with a character or characters in the story.  We can often relate to the disciples, who didn’t quite understand what Jesus was about.  Or one of the people that came to Jesus with a need or a request, like we so often do. 

 

Here, in the Epiphany account, we might think of how the wise men felt, or sympathize with their eagerness or joy.  We might think of the gifts we would bring the baby Jesus.  But how often do we see ourselves as the villain?  Can we identify with Herod?  Let’s try those shoes on for a change. 

 

We may not murder others to serve our own purposes, but the thoughts of our heart are just as dark.  We may not scheme and schmooze quite like wiley old Herod, but we do our best to get our own way.  We may not have a kingdom or a throne, but each of us wants to be in charge, call the shots, set the agenda.  We set aside the law of God and get to writing our own rules, that we can surely live by.  We want to be king.  We want to be, dare we admit, even, we want to be our own god.   

 

But the light shines in the darkness. The Christ, the king, is born.

 

The birth of Jesus threatens everything that Herod is, but not in the way Herod thinks.  Jesus didn’t appear to bring a tyrant off the throne, or to establish a kingdom of his own (at least not a kingdom of this world).  He didn’t have to take on human flesh to do so – as the Lord raises and humbles human rulers in due course throughout history.   

But Jesus did come to destroy sin and the power of death.  He did come to free people from its bondage and tyranny.  He came to bring light in the darkness of a world full of Herods and to every sinner who is a little Herod-at-heart.  He comes to de-throne your old Adam and take your heart as his own. He comes to be your good king.

 

Christ’s kingship is quite different from Herod’s.  Herod built, or renovated the temple over many years.  Jesus said, “destroy this temple and I will build it in three days”.  Herod was made king of the Jews by the Romans.  The Roman governor wrote the sign for Jesus’ cross, “This is the King of the Jews”.  Herod surely wore the fine garments of those who live in kings’ palaces.  Jesus was stripped of his garments, and they were divided among the soldiers.  And surely Herod’s crown looked nothing like the twisted thorns with which they crowned our Lord.   

 

Jesus didn’t destroy us when we were his enemies as wicked Herod killed the babes of Bethlehem, or even his own wife.  Rather, he dies for his enemies, forgives us, redeems us by his blood, and makes us children of God!  No, his kingdom is not of this world, but what a kingdom he is!  See how he shepherds Israel!  By laying down his life for the sheep!  And he extends this kingdom not by the sword, but by the word – the gospel – turning hearts and shining the light of Christ. 

 

And Epiphany reminds us it’s not just the Jews that receive this king.  Sure the angels told the humble Shepherds where to find the infant Jesus.  But the wise men are brought by a mysterious star. 

 

Men of some wealth, perhaps even kings in their own right, come to humbly worship the one born king of the Jews.  They had the means to make the journey.  They had the resources to bring him precious gifts:  gold, frankincense, myrrh.   

 

But more than that they had the wisdom to know that this child, this king, is someone special.  Someone to be worshipped. 

 

Matthew doesn’t tell us much more about them, but that they were “from the East”.  Perhaps they came from the same country, perhaps they represent different areas.  Perhaps they were Persian, or Babylonian, or from some other long-forgotten tribe or nationality. 

But their uncertain origin is actually perfect, because it doesn’t matter.  The nations, all the nations, will come to worship this king.   

And so therefore also us.  We come from near and far, from the East and the north and south and west.  We would be wise – unto salvation, and so we come to worship this king.   

 

And what is the worship, the true worship of this king?  It is faith in his word, trust in his promise, it is, strangely, simply receiving his gifts.  It is hearing his word and confessing sins which he forgives.  It is taking and eating and drinking of the meal he provides, and believing it does what he promises. 

 

Yes, we bring our own treasures, humble as they may be.  But these are a response to his precious gifts.  For all the gold or frankincense or myrrh, or even all the dollars in the world, can never compare to the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and the eternal life that he brings. 

 

Wicked king Herod can’t hold a candle to our dear King Jesus, the light shining through the darkness of this world.  Even the people that walked in darkness have seen his great light.  The glory of Israel, the light to the nations, Jesus Christ our king, or shepherd, our Lord.  Lord grant us the wisdom to worship him, and lead us always to where he is, that we might share in exceedingly great joy.