Preached on January 6, 2016
St. Matthew 2:1–12
In the name of the Father and of the + Son
and of the Holy Spirit –
Epiphany is sometimes called the Gentile
Christmas. On this day we hear about the visit of the wise men, or Magi, to be
precise. These magi, magicians or astrologers, are clearly Gentiles, even if
they are interested in a Jewish King. Although the Shepherds of Bethlehem were
lowly, unlikely people to be among the first greeters of the Messiah, they were
still Jews, children of Israel. But with the visit of the Magi, the Christ is
recognized and worshiped for the first time by Gentile sinners, outsiders
according to the Old Testament Law.
But Epiphany is more than just a
Gentile Christmas. While it’s closely connected to the Christmas season, it
also starts its own. Epiphany has its own focus and theme it wants to impress
upon us. We might even be wondering why we’re hearing about the Magi now. It
seems out of order. This past Sunday, we heard what happened after the Magi
left. Now we’re going backwards, to when the Magi came? But the Church Year is
not interested in simply giving a chronology of Christ’s life. The Church Year
with its seasons and feasts is not just rehearsing a timeline, a list of
historical facts. It is also meant to teach the meaning and Truth in those
facts. And so, Epiphany is slightly different from Christmas and has a
different theme – something more to teach us about Christ.
The word “Epiphany” means
“manifestation” or “revelation.” Epiphany, the day and the season following it,
focuses on the epiphanies, the manifestations, the revelations of God in
Christ. While Christmas focused on the coming of God in the flesh, Epiphany
shifts our focus to the revelation of this God in this flesh. God reveals
Himself to us. We can’t find Him on our own. God shows Himself, manifests
Himself, epiphanies Himself, not in visions of His ultimate glory and power, but
in the person of Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem. Epiphany teaches us that God
shows Himself to be here, on earth. Our God shows Himself to be the Man, Christ
Jesus. And He shows, He reveals, that salvation is found only in this same Man
and Son of God.
In our Gospel from Matthew 2
there are actually two epiphanies – two manifestations or revelations from God:
The first, and also more obvious and spectacular, is the Star. By the star, God
reveals His coming into the world to the Magi. However, while this beautiful
star must have been a marvelous sight to behold with the eye, it is not an
entirely clear epiphany. The rising of the star seems to raise more questions
for the Magi and for us. What does it mean? How do the Magi know it signifies
the birth of a King of the Jews? And what kind of King is He?
Actually, it seems that the Magi
must have known some of the Old Testament Scriptures which helped explain this
star. In Numbers 24, the Gentile Balaam is forced to prophecy of the Christ: I see him, but not
now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. In
Isaiah 60, our reading tonight, the prophet sees a glorious future for Israel,
where the Gentile nations come to bow down before the Lord: Arise, shine, for your
light has come, and the glory of the Lord has
risen upon you… And nations shall come
to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. And even Psalm
72, sung in our Introit, tells of Gentiles from the East bringing gifts to the
King of Israel: may
the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! But still, the Magi must not have had
the entirety of the Scriptures – at least they must not have read Micah,
because they do not know where the King is to be born. Even though it is a
marvelous epiphany, the star does not tell the Magi everything. It is not clear
and it is not complete. They do not follow the star, at least not at first. They
see the star, recognize it as a revelation that the King of the Jews has been
born, and they go to Jerusalem, that is, they go their own way looking for this
King.
However, there is another,
better epiphany here than the star – an epiphany that even makes the star
itself better. The second manifestation or revelation from God here is His
Word, handed down in the Holy Scriptures, inspired by the Spirit, through the
pen of the Prophet Micah. Where is the Christ, the King of the Jews, to be
born? The answer from the priests and scribes is immediate and without
hesitation or uncertainty, because while stars can be tricky, the Scriptures
are clear: “In
Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And
you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” The Gentile Magi’s knowledge of stars could only get them so
far. They needed the Holy Scriptures to even get a clue as to what the star
could signify. And they needed the Word of God to show them where to find the
Christ. This epiphany, this revelation from God through the mouths and pens of
His prophets is better than the star for it shines its own light upon the star
itself. The light of the star truly pales in comparison to the bright light of
God’s Word.
And
once the Magi hear this Word, they can set off once more, this time following
the star. Now
with Scripture in their ears, the light of the star in their eyes does guide
them to the place where the Christ Child was. Joined
to God’s clear Word, the epiphany of the star could now serve as a sure sign
and revelation to these Gentiles. And for you Gentiles too.
The glorious star of Bethlehem
is no longer shining in the night sky. You no longer follow a miraculous light
guiding you to where the Christ Child is. The Christ is no longer a Child
either. The Child grew to be a man. He revealed God’s will for Himself and for
us. And this man suffered, died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into
heaven. His star is no longer shining and He is no longer in Bethlehem. Don’t
seek Him there. But you still have the Word – the Holy Scriptures. The Word of
God is your Bethlehem – your House of Bread which feeds you with the Word of
life. The Holy Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, is your bright, shining
star – drawing you to the mercy and forgiveness in His blood.
Following the light of the
Gospel brings you to the Christ your King.
Scriptures and Star – Word and Sign – they
go together. The water in the font is just plain water, but with the Word of God it is a life-giving water, rich in grace, and
a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit. The bread and wine on the
altar is just plain bread and wine, but with the Word of God it is the true body and blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ for us Christians to eat and to drink. Without the Word of
God, a star is a poor sign. Without the Word of God, water, bread, and wine are
quite ordinary things. But with the Word of God they are true signs, true
sacraments, delivering to you the Word made flesh for the forgiveness of all
your sins.
And that is what we need after
all. That is what a Gentile Christmas teaches us – that by nature we are
Gentile sinners, like those Magi. Not wise men, not kings, but unlearned and superstitious,
unworthy and selfish. There is no way we could find this King on our own. And
that’s also the point of the Gentile Christmas – it’s not so much about us
seeking Him. In the darkness of our sinful hearts we don’t even know what we’re
looking for or what we truly need. The Epiphany of God shows us what we need –
forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. We unworthy Gentile sinners
need to be brought back and reunited with our Lord. The Epiphany of God is that
He seeks us! He comes and finds us, shedding the light of His grace and truth
into our darkness and making a way for us. We aren’t seeking Him. We are
following – following Scripture and star, Word and Sacrament, to the place
where the Christ is. Rejoice exceedingly with great joy! Come, enter the house
and see Christ the King, the Son of Mary. Fall down and worship Him.
In the Holy + Name of Jesus –
