Scripture/Sermon of the Day. January 2, 2022

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

The Visit of the Wise Men
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
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‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection/Sermon:

I. We know we are reading the Gospel of Matthew when we see this story of the “wise men from the East.” In Luke, the only other gospel with a Christmas Story, Mary and Joseph were visited by shepherds. There’s no guiding star in Luke, only an unnamed angel who says “Don’t be afraid.”
The shepherds were “terrified” when they saw the angel and the angel told them there’s no reason to fear because he said “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people — to you this day is born a Savior.” And then a whole army of angels appeared and sang: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors."

II. Matthew’s account, which we have a part of today, is so different. No shepherds, no army of angels. And Jesus in not a newborn, but a toddler. Mary and Joseph are not in a manger, but in their house. And these people who visit them are not fellow Jews, but strangers, probably from Persia. Their religion is probably Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religious faiths. They are foreigners and they follow a star. They’re probably astrologers. They are strangers as different from Jesus and the Jewish faith as anyone in that ancient world could be. They did not convert, but left as they came — though they took another route home.
And yet they were blessed. God’s blessing is for all people, Matthew is trying to tell us. We are all blessed.

III. There was no angel in Matthew’s account here. The wise men were not afraid. In fact when the star stopped over Jesus’ house, they were “overwhelmed with joy.”
But NOTICE — in Matthew’s gospel — THE ONE WHO IS AFRAID. It’s the most powerful person in Israel! It’s the king. Finding out about Jesus made him afraid — “and all Jerusalem with him.” Why is Herod afraid? The wise men were “overwhelmed” with joy. But Herod, the man with the most power, the most protection, is afraid. Why?

IV. WHAT MAKES US AFRAID? Thanks to The Week magazine, I can tell you what many of us were afraid of in 2021, based on polls that were taken.
1. 81 % of us are afraid about another deadly pandemic hitting America.
2. 58% of us worry a loved one might catch Covid-19,
3. 57% of us fear that our country is moving towards a civil war.
4. 71% of us are afraid of a war with China and 61% worry of a nuclear war that could erupt.
5. Finally, almost a quarter of all Americans believe that there’s a movement to ban the eating of red meat, which 2/3 of Americans believe is essential to the American way of life.
It seems that, no matter who we are — there is something for each of us to be afraid of. But as we read our gospel stories, from Luke and Matthew — we see that some people who are not afraid. Who are they? Those who encountered Jesus. And there is something else they share — humility.

V. In both Christmas stories, from Luke and Matthew, the characteristic that the shepherds and the wise men had in common was humility. Both understood that life is larger than we realize, and that in being led to Jesus Christ, the mystery of life was revealed to them. They could not figure it out by the power of their reasoning. They did not find Jesus through the power of their intellects. They were guided to him. An angel for the shepherds, and a star for the wise men.
Each had the humility to put their faith — the knowledge of their heart — before their understanding. They didn’t ignore what they knew — but they understood that there was much they did not know.
Their humility led them to Jesus.
And after we encounter Jesus — then what?
Suddenly life has become larger. And like the wise men — we can’t follow the familiar route any more — we take another route home. Because after encountering the mystery of Jesus Christ, only one path now will satisfy the longing of our hearts. It is “the way, the truth, and the life” — which Jesus called love.