Scripture/Sermon of the Day

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi 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 in the east 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:

‘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 magi 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 in the east, 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.

I. The story of the “wise men from the East” following yonder star is only in the gospel of Matthew. In Luke, 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 not to fear because he brings “good news of great joy for all the people — to you this day is born a Savior.”

II. No shepherds or army of angels in Matthew — just a group of foreigners carrying gifts for Jesus. Jesus is also not a newborn in a manger, but a toddler probably running around Mary and Joseph’s house. In Luke, Jewish shepherds visit Jesus in a barn; in Matthew, foreigners, probably from Persia, following a star. Are they astrologers? They were warned in a dream and took another route home.

Is Matthew saying it’s not our religion that matters but the respect and reverence with which we treat others? Is it the gifts of compassion, joy and peace we give away?

III. Unlike King Herod, the wise men were not afraid. When the star stopped over Jesus’ house, they were “overwhelmed with joy.”

But why is the king afraid? He is the most rich and powerful person in Israel. When he found out the magi were seeing Jesus, king of the Jews, he “and all Jerusalem with him,” were afraid. King Herod reminds me of those White Christian Nationalist marchers in the “Unite The Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia who chanted “Jews will not replace us!” Herod also feared he was going to be replaced by a jew — Jesus. He chanted to himself, “That Jew will not replace me….that Jew will not replace me….”

IV. What makes US afraid? I looked back a few years to see what people were afraid of in 2021 — and compare that to 2024. According to The Week magazine, in 2021, Americans were afraid of….

….. another deadly pandemic hitting America. (81%)

….worry that a loved one might catch Covid-19. (58%)

….fear that our country is moving towards a civil war. (57%)

…. a war with China (71%),possibly becoming nuclear (61%).

In 2024, 75% of Americans are afraid AI will take jobs away from Americans.

…..39% are afraid AI will wipe out humanity

42% are afraid the US will be sucked into a war in the Middle East

56% are afraid Russia will use nuclear weapons

47% are afraid another civil war is likely in the US

It seems that, no matter who we are or what time it is — there is something we are afraid of. But in the gospel story today, the undocumented aliens who visited Jesus were not afraid, but “overwhelmed with joy.” And there is something else they share — humility.

V. In the Christmas stories from Luke and Matthew, the disposition the shepherds and the wise men had in common was humility. Both were led to Jesus Christ, their own logic was useless in finding Jesus. Each was guided to him. An angel for the shepherds, and a star for the magi.

Each had the humility to put their faith — the knowledge of their heart — before their understanding. Their humility led them to Jesus, just as Herod’s lack of it, and his fear led him to do evil.

But after we encounter Jesus — then what?

Life is larger. And like the wise men — we can’t follow the familiar routes any more — we must discover another route home, where Jesus waits for us. Because after encountering the mystery of Jesus Christ, only one path now will satisfy the longing of our hearts. The path Jesus called love.