"God's Love Revealed Through the Magi"
A sermon preached on Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2008, at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Matthew 2:1-12.
It almost seems impossible that twelve days ago we celebrated Christmas. By now, most of the visible signs of Christmas have been taken down and packed away. We have gotten on with our lives - vowing to lose the weight we put on during the holidays with our New Year’s Resolutions. Christmas, as I pointed out in my newsletter article, is just a memory! And sadly, for many people, including many Christians, that’s it - Christmas is just a memory! But the celebration of Christmas isn’t fully complete until we celebrate Epiphany. The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated annually on the Twelfth Day or January the 6th, and this year we are fortunate enough for it to fall on a Sunday. Epiphany is traditionally the time for the church to commemorate the arrival of the Magi to the Christ-Child. This is the day we set aside to honor them as they teach us the true meaning of worship.
Now while the popular notion of the shepherds and magi all jumbled together around the manger with Mary and Joseph to welcome the birth of Christ is incorrect; for the sake of Christmas pageants and nativity scenes, Christmas carols and greeting cards we are happy to leave this collage alone. In fact, no manger scene is really complete without the presence of the Magi or the Three Wise Men, bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, the only problem is, the Magi would not have been there the night of Christ’s birth. In fact, most scholars who interpret the Biblical story literally would agree that it could have taken as much as two years before their arrival.
However, I think it is important to realize that both Matthew and Luke share their own interpretation of Christ’s birth that is unique and important to their original readers. Each writer has a significant theological perspective that helps the reader understand the significance of who Jesus was and is. For Luke, his perspective shows that Jesus is the Savior of everyone - that he meets people where they are - on their level. Therefore, Luke focuses a great deal on the lowly shepherds who came to worship the Christ child. Matthew, on the other hand, wants to present Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Because the Messiah was to be a descendant of David, that great king of Israel, Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ royal origins by recounting the story of the Magi - those royal astrologers who followed a "star," which according to ancient astrology signified the birth of a king and, what’s more, these Magi presented Jesus with royal gifts.
But certainly, the Magi’s gifts were practical and appropriate. And I think sometimes we fail to realize the significance of their gifts. The Magi's gifts were indeed practical and they were certainly appropriate. Keep in mind, in the ancient world no one could even approach a king without a genuine gift, and gold was the gift of a king. What better gift could the Magi bring then the gift of gold for Jesus who is King of kings? Frankincense is an aromatic gum distilled from a tree which was a gift for priests. And, of course, Jesus is our Great High Priest. And finally, myrrh was a gift for one facing death. It was used in the ancient world for embalming. Jesus Christ was born to die that we might live - he was born to be our Sacrifice and Savior. How beautiful! How appropriate! The Magi’s gifts symbolize Christ our King, our Priest and our Savior.
Matthew really wanted to emphasis the prophecies of old that foretold of Christ’s birth. And so, it is no accident that it is Matthew who mentions the star in his narrative of Christ’s birth. However, he was not the first to have mentioned this star. In fact, it was prophesied by Balaam who proclaimed in the book of Numbers that the Messiah would be revealed by a royal and majestic star. Some, who choose to interpret this star literally, claim that it was probably a planet. In fact, in 6 B.C., which some scholars believe is the year of Christ’s birth, an astrological event took place in which Jupiter, Mars and Saturn converged in the constellation Pisces, this was recorded in several ancient clay tablets and manuscripts, including an ancient Chinese chronicle.
But the fact still remains; there is very little information when it comes to the Magi as to who they were. We really don’t know a great deal about them. In fact, all that we do know has been handed down to us through tradition. But the only problem is most of these traditions are inaccurate. First of all, the Magi were not kings, despite the fact that we sing; "We Three Kings..." rather, they were professional scholars, schooled in the science of astrology and very educated in religion and philosophy. Secondly, we do not know if there were three of them or thirty of them, we only know that they came bearing three gifts. In fact, our Western tradition says that there were only three, but this is based on the fact that they brought those three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child. The Eastern Church, on the other hand, teaches that there were actually 12 Magi, to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. For those of you who have been taking part in the question that I posted on our website this past week, then listen carefully. I think it is interesting that the Church, in the 5th century even went so far as to name these characters, giving them the names; Balthsar, Melchior and Gaspar, which were given to represent the three "races" - African, Asian and European, and to further symbolize God’s love reaching out to all people. And then finally, there’s no mention of the manger in the story of the Magi. In fact, the story states that they entered into the house where Jesus and his family were. Now, of course, all the traditional nativity scenes feature the Magi because they are a part of the Christmas story and we don’t want to leave them out.
But I believe that the Magi, more than anything else, represents that noble spirit of curiosity that searches for truth and goes the distance to find it - and having found it embraces it. At the heart of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian in Ephesus, which is the source of our Lectionary’s Epistle Reading for today, is the unity of all persons in and through Christ. This secret, or "mystery" as Paul called it in his letter is no longer a secret. It had been hidden until the time of Christ, but his birth, life, death and resurrection opened up the mystery to all. Every person - Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female, black or white, rich or poor, American or foreigner - is to share in God’s love and grace, peace and favor. How easily we forget that sometimes. Christ tore down the walls of separation and bitterness. For this is the reminder that the Magi give to us. God’s son is born - the Light of the world has come, and the Magi - those Gentiles, were invited to bask in its glory - to take part in what God was doing, just as you and I are today.
Lee McGlone, tells the story of having lunch with a longtime friend and faculty member of Southern Seminary, Dr. F. Russell Bennett. They were in downtown Louisville. The restaurant was housed in a building that, some years earlier, had been a church. Judging from the size of the building, it has been a significantly large congregation in that great city. However, the community around it changed. And, over time, the church lost membership and eventually died; its assets were given to the remaining members. The restaurant bought the property and converted it into a robust business. Some of the pews were still there, propped up against the walls. The stained-glass windows were still in place. The chancel and altar area had become the bar. During the meal, McGlone said that he couldn’t help but notice the wide array of clientele the restaurant attracted. There were businessmen and women in suites, college students in cut-off jeans, there were young and old, male and female, black and white, people from all different ethnic backgrounds. He said, "I remarked to Dr. Bennett about the great variety of people there and he leaned over close to me and said, ‘Most of these folks should be glad this is not a church. If it was, they couldn’t be here today," because they would not be welcomed. How sad that is, but how true! It is truly a difficult thing to recognize or even imagine and comprehend the all-inclusive love of God that embraces all people.
Our former Associate Regional Minister, Jesse Kearns who now serves as pastor of First Christian Church in Chico, California wrote in the January edition of The Caller, which is the church’s monthly newsletter these words; "Perhaps the best way to grow the church is not to try to compete with culture by offering programs that folks can find anywhere else. Perhaps the church needs to focus on providing a variety of opportunities for people to encounter the divine presence of God." Kearns ask; "So what does the church offer? Or more importantly, what should the church offer in a culture that presents so many quality choices and opportunities for educational and social fulfillment? Here’s something to consider: Where else but the church can people gather with others before the mystery of God’s self-disclosure as conveyed to them through faithful proclamation of the Holy Scriptures? Where else but the church can folks come together to bear witness to what God has done in our lives? Where else but the church can folks come to worship bringing their deepest longings and fears, hopes and hopelessness, their failings and the glimpses of the person they are in the eyes of God? Where else but the church can people encounter Christ? Where else but our church can folks come together to proclaim a faith where "in essentials there is unity, in non-essentials there is liberty, and in all things there is charity?""
My friends, on this Epiphany Sunday, let us seek to be an epiphany, which is to say "a manifestation" of God’s love to others. Let’s us be a manifestation of the very Christ to reveal to us a God of inclusive love and grace. And let’s invite others to bask in the divine presence of God.
Now while the popular notion of the shepherds and magi all jumbled together around the manger with Mary and Joseph to welcome the birth of Christ is incorrect; for the sake of Christmas pageants and nativity scenes, Christmas carols and greeting cards we are happy to leave this collage alone. In fact, no manger scene is really complete without the presence of the Magi or the Three Wise Men, bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, the only problem is, the Magi would not have been there the night of Christ’s birth. In fact, most scholars who interpret the Biblical story literally would agree that it could have taken as much as two years before their arrival.
However, I think it is important to realize that both Matthew and Luke share their own interpretation of Christ’s birth that is unique and important to their original readers. Each writer has a significant theological perspective that helps the reader understand the significance of who Jesus was and is. For Luke, his perspective shows that Jesus is the Savior of everyone - that he meets people where they are - on their level. Therefore, Luke focuses a great deal on the lowly shepherds who came to worship the Christ child. Matthew, on the other hand, wants to present Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Because the Messiah was to be a descendant of David, that great king of Israel, Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ royal origins by recounting the story of the Magi - those royal astrologers who followed a "star," which according to ancient astrology signified the birth of a king and, what’s more, these Magi presented Jesus with royal gifts.
But certainly, the Magi’s gifts were practical and appropriate. And I think sometimes we fail to realize the significance of their gifts. The Magi's gifts were indeed practical and they were certainly appropriate. Keep in mind, in the ancient world no one could even approach a king without a genuine gift, and gold was the gift of a king. What better gift could the Magi bring then the gift of gold for Jesus who is King of kings? Frankincense is an aromatic gum distilled from a tree which was a gift for priests. And, of course, Jesus is our Great High Priest. And finally, myrrh was a gift for one facing death. It was used in the ancient world for embalming. Jesus Christ was born to die that we might live - he was born to be our Sacrifice and Savior. How beautiful! How appropriate! The Magi’s gifts symbolize Christ our King, our Priest and our Savior.
Matthew really wanted to emphasis the prophecies of old that foretold of Christ’s birth. And so, it is no accident that it is Matthew who mentions the star in his narrative of Christ’s birth. However, he was not the first to have mentioned this star. In fact, it was prophesied by Balaam who proclaimed in the book of Numbers that the Messiah would be revealed by a royal and majestic star. Some, who choose to interpret this star literally, claim that it was probably a planet. In fact, in 6 B.C., which some scholars believe is the year of Christ’s birth, an astrological event took place in which Jupiter, Mars and Saturn converged in the constellation Pisces, this was recorded in several ancient clay tablets and manuscripts, including an ancient Chinese chronicle.
But the fact still remains; there is very little information when it comes to the Magi as to who they were. We really don’t know a great deal about them. In fact, all that we do know has been handed down to us through tradition. But the only problem is most of these traditions are inaccurate. First of all, the Magi were not kings, despite the fact that we sing; "We Three Kings..." rather, they were professional scholars, schooled in the science of astrology and very educated in religion and philosophy. Secondly, we do not know if there were three of them or thirty of them, we only know that they came bearing three gifts. In fact, our Western tradition says that there were only three, but this is based on the fact that they brought those three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child. The Eastern Church, on the other hand, teaches that there were actually 12 Magi, to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. For those of you who have been taking part in the question that I posted on our website this past week, then listen carefully. I think it is interesting that the Church, in the 5th century even went so far as to name these characters, giving them the names; Balthsar, Melchior and Gaspar, which were given to represent the three "races" - African, Asian and European, and to further symbolize God’s love reaching out to all people. And then finally, there’s no mention of the manger in the story of the Magi. In fact, the story states that they entered into the house where Jesus and his family were. Now, of course, all the traditional nativity scenes feature the Magi because they are a part of the Christmas story and we don’t want to leave them out.
But I believe that the Magi, more than anything else, represents that noble spirit of curiosity that searches for truth and goes the distance to find it - and having found it embraces it. At the heart of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian in Ephesus, which is the source of our Lectionary’s Epistle Reading for today, is the unity of all persons in and through Christ. This secret, or "mystery" as Paul called it in his letter is no longer a secret. It had been hidden until the time of Christ, but his birth, life, death and resurrection opened up the mystery to all. Every person - Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female, black or white, rich or poor, American or foreigner - is to share in God’s love and grace, peace and favor. How easily we forget that sometimes. Christ tore down the walls of separation and bitterness. For this is the reminder that the Magi give to us. God’s son is born - the Light of the world has come, and the Magi - those Gentiles, were invited to bask in its glory - to take part in what God was doing, just as you and I are today.
Lee McGlone, tells the story of having lunch with a longtime friend and faculty member of Southern Seminary, Dr. F. Russell Bennett. They were in downtown Louisville. The restaurant was housed in a building that, some years earlier, had been a church. Judging from the size of the building, it has been a significantly large congregation in that great city. However, the community around it changed. And, over time, the church lost membership and eventually died; its assets were given to the remaining members. The restaurant bought the property and converted it into a robust business. Some of the pews were still there, propped up against the walls. The stained-glass windows were still in place. The chancel and altar area had become the bar. During the meal, McGlone said that he couldn’t help but notice the wide array of clientele the restaurant attracted. There were businessmen and women in suites, college students in cut-off jeans, there were young and old, male and female, black and white, people from all different ethnic backgrounds. He said, "I remarked to Dr. Bennett about the great variety of people there and he leaned over close to me and said, ‘Most of these folks should be glad this is not a church. If it was, they couldn’t be here today," because they would not be welcomed. How sad that is, but how true! It is truly a difficult thing to recognize or even imagine and comprehend the all-inclusive love of God that embraces all people.
Our former Associate Regional Minister, Jesse Kearns who now serves as pastor of First Christian Church in Chico, California wrote in the January edition of The Caller, which is the church’s monthly newsletter these words; "Perhaps the best way to grow the church is not to try to compete with culture by offering programs that folks can find anywhere else. Perhaps the church needs to focus on providing a variety of opportunities for people to encounter the divine presence of God." Kearns ask; "So what does the church offer? Or more importantly, what should the church offer in a culture that presents so many quality choices and opportunities for educational and social fulfillment? Here’s something to consider: Where else but the church can people gather with others before the mystery of God’s self-disclosure as conveyed to them through faithful proclamation of the Holy Scriptures? Where else but the church can folks come together to bear witness to what God has done in our lives? Where else but the church can folks come to worship bringing their deepest longings and fears, hopes and hopelessness, their failings and the glimpses of the person they are in the eyes of God? Where else but the church can people encounter Christ? Where else but our church can folks come together to proclaim a faith where "in essentials there is unity, in non-essentials there is liberty, and in all things there is charity?""
My friends, on this Epiphany Sunday, let us seek to be an epiphany, which is to say "a manifestation" of God’s love to others. Let’s us be a manifestation of the very Christ to reveal to us a God of inclusive love and grace. And let’s invite others to bask in the divine presence of God.
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 10:55 PM
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