2 Kings 5:1–15
Romans 1:8–17
St. Matthew 8:1–13
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
At one point in time, salvation was found primarily among the Israelite nation, the people God had chosen and made holy. They had His Word, and His promises were for Israel and for all who attached themselves to Israel.
But then a Man rose from the dead. He was justified and proclaimed by God to be His Son, the one Lord and Savior of the earth. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). And this Man sent His apostles from Israel out into the world, commanding them: make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). Now salvation is no longer found only among the Jews, but also among the Gentiles—wherever that Man is proclaimed risen from the dead. The Gentiles, the unbelieving nations, the heathen living in darkness, are welcomed into the kingdom of God by faith in this Man with the name Jesus. This is the Mission from God, the Mission for His Church.
This has always been God’s plan. Even in the Old Testament, salvation was available for any who came to Israel and worshiped Israel’s God. Naaman is a perfect example of that. He is a Syrian, a Gentile, a pagan. And in his raiding against Israel, he carries off a little Israelite girl to be his wife’s slave. What should really astonish us is the bravery and love of this little girl who acts as a missionary to her master and mistress, the people who own her, who stole her from her home. She tells them about the Lord’s prophet in Israel who can cure Naaman’s leprosy. That’s a beautiful example of how Christians should behave when persecuted and mistreated. That’s how Christians can win people over by humble service and love.
So, Naaman listens and goes to Samaria, in Israel. And eventually he makes his way to Elisha, the man of God. And although at first he does not believe what he’s told, eventually, he goes to the Jordan River and washes himself with the word of the prophet and is healed. Certainly not just the water of the Jordan did this great thing, but the word of God in and with the water did this thing. For without the word, the water was just plain river water and no miracle; but with the word, it is a miracle, that is a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of new health. Was this a baptism for Naaman? Not exactly. But he came out of that water believing. And he, a Gentile, a former pagan, confessed the true God: “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.”
With Naaman, and with many others in the Old Testament, the mission to the nations was already at work. But the one who is especially known for bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles is the Apostle Paul. The Lord Jesus made Paul His chosen instrument… to carry His name before the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus (Acts 26:18). That was the special apostleship, the special sending the Lord gave to Paul. And that is the main reason Paul was so eager to preach the Gospel in Rome.
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is where he really lays out his mission for the nations. Rome was not only the capital of the Roman Empire, the superpower of that time, but Rome is also the capital so to speak, the center of that world, the center of Gentile pagan power and culture. There was great truth in the old saying: “All roads lead to Rome.” So, Paul wanted more than anything for his road as apostle to the Gentiles to get to Rome.
He tells these Christians living in Rome that already their faith is proclaimed in all the world. But that doesn’t mean he can skip out on preaching at the center of the world. He writes: without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Paul wants the whole church to be one, to work together in the mission.
He knows it’s his call from God to preach the Gospel to all Gentiles, so he says he wants to minister among the Christians already in Rome in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,—that is, both to the refined and educated citizens of Italy and Greece, but also to the illiterate barbarian Gentiles of France and Germany and Africa—both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
And then Paul gives his thesis statement, the center of his whole mission, and the center of the Christian religion: I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (the Gentiles). For… “The righteous shall live by faith.” Paul goes on in his Epistle to unpack this central teaching. The Man Jesus, God’s Son, shed His blood to satisfy God’s wrath over sin, and then He was raised from the dead. And all people are declared righteous, forgiven, saved by faith in this Jesus. All people—just as Paul says later in Romans 3: Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—He will justify the Jews by faith and the Gentiles through faith (3:29–30).
So far, in our first two readings, we have seen God’s plan, His mission for all people, and we have seen it in action. But in our Gospel reading, not only do we see it in action, but we see its end, its ultimate goal. The Roman centurion who comes to Jesus on behalf of his servant is also a Gentile. We know this, first, because he is an officer in the Roman army, the very people who are oppressing the Jews, similar to Naaman and the Syrians, centuries earlier. Also, this centurion says he is not worthy for Jesus to enter his house—he knows that faithful Jews should not go to the homes of idol-worshiping Gentiles. But most importantly, Jesus Himself contrasts the faith of this Gentile with all of the chosen Jewish people: “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”
Jesus then goes on to welcome this man and all Gentiles into His kingdom: “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” This is the goal of all missions. Our goal is not just for people to get a pamphlet or a two-minute message. Our goal cannot merely be broadcasting, publishing, or sharing. Those might be the means of reaching the goal, but that’s not what we’re really after, and if one of those ways isn’t working much anymore, then we can find another way. We’re not just after membership numbers, or offering numbers, or attendance numbers. Our goal is not the visible success of our church. The goal of all missions is the final End Times, lasting-forever banquet—reclining at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and with all the saints, and with our Lord. We do and we support missions because that’s the way the Lord has chosen to get every single one of His elect children into His eternal feast.
But now, imagine being a Jew, listening to Jesus say these things to this pagan Roman, this guy who worships Jupiter and Mars. And Jesus is inviting him to sit with their heroes, their great-grandfathers! They were probably insulted. But to them, Jesus gives a terrible warning: “Many will come from east and west… while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The Jews, the ones who already belonged in the kingdom, who already had the Word of God and the gift of faith in the Savior, if they reject that Savior, if they refuse to listen to that Word, they will be cast out.
We, those of us already in the church, should listen to this same warning. You can lose your faith. You can reject salvation. Every time you deny yourself God’s life-giving Word, every time you choose something else over His life-giving gift in the Supper, every time you do that, you make it that much harder for yourself to believe. You deprive yourself. And it is possible to starve yourself to death, back to the death Jesus had saved you from. God’s mission for the church is going on right here in our midst too. The righteous shall live by faith. Not only are you made alive by faith in Jesus, you stay alive by faith in Jesus, that means you stay alive by continuing to get what Jesus wants to give you.
It is absolutely essential for Christians, individuals, congregations, and church bodies, to hear and receive this invitation from Jesus, to be in His kingdom now, learning His Word and eating at His Table. And then it is also absolutely essential for Christians, individuals, congregations, and church bodies, to be sharing what they are receiving; to give out this invitation and bring in the people the Holy Spirit is calling; to be a light in this dark world full of idol-worshiping pagans, even right here in our own country and communities.
And it’s actually not that hard to do. We do our part of the Church’s mission, by telling our relatives, our friends and neighbors, the people right where we live, telling them about God’s promises, just like that little slave girl did for Naaman. And we do it by supporting the missionary efforts of churches and preachers who are going out all over the place like the apostle Paul. And especially, we carry out this mission by trusting the Lord Jesus even when we can’t see the growth of His Word, trusting Him just like that centurion.
Then, one day, we will get to see the full growth. Because one day, Asian Christians from the far east will come, and we will come from the American Midwest. Christians will come from the north of Europe and from the south of Africa. And all together, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, we will feast with the Lord forever.
In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.
Preached at Trinity, Clinton, IA & Immanuel, Charlotte, IA
Ephesians 5:22-33
St. John 2:1–11
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The hymn we just sang, Of the Father’s Love Begotten, is a good one for Christmas, but consider how these words also work so well for Epiphany: Now He shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord Evermore and evermore (LSB 384:3). The Epiphany season is all about the shining of Jesus—the epiphany-ing of Jesus—the manifestation of His glory. And when the Lord of creation reveals Himself, then His creatures recognize Him and respond to Him by doing what He has given them to do. They praise Him. Praise is not only singing and extolling, but also action—living and doing what God would have His creatures do. Now He shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord. The water at Cana responded to its Lord and praised Him by becoming wine. Water and wine are the Lord’s creatures and they praise Him by doing what He has them do. The sun praises God by shining. Birds praise God by being birds.
And let’s not forget another creation of God that witnessed and benefited from our Lord’s first miracle: Marriage. Marriage is a creation of the Lord—male and female He created them… and they shall become one flesh (Gen. 1:27 & 2:24). So, in His first miracle, water and wine praised the Lord for the gift of marriage and for blessing it. The Bible tells us that wine is given to gladden the heart of man, and we certainly should be glad at weddings. Besides being celebrations of love, weddings are celebrations of life! Celebrations of the Lord who gives life!
A wedding gives us a glimpse of Eden—Paradise! where the Lord brought man and woman together and blessed them: Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28)! A wedding is a renewal of God’s promise and blessing to create life. The husband and wife are pro-creators. God works through them. He loves marriage and He wants man and woman to find delight in each other. He loves children and He wants to bless families. The miracle at Cana confirms this. It shows that the Lord loves His creation and He loves to bless it. And marriage is a part of that blessed creation. The Lord loves fruitfulness and wine. He loves husbands and wives serving and enjoying each other. He loves the children that come from those men and women. He loves the beautiful world He made and He wants it to flourish.
And that is why the Church cares so much about things like marriage and birth, and all the things, good and bad, that affect marriage and birth. Because these things are intimately connected with the whole created order. God’s Law is not arbitrary or random. God’s Law is His will—it’s His design for this creation and life. What’s more, the design of God’s creation reflects who He is. Creation is fruitful and delightful because the Word Himself, who created all things, bears fruit and gives delight. And creation is orderly because God Himself is orderly.
Within the Holy Trinity, the three Persons are equal in glory and substance. Yet, there is order: God the Father is the Head of the Son, and this is good. That means Christ is the Head of His Bride, the Church, and this is good. And Man is the head of woman, and that is good. We heard this in Ephesians 5, but Paul also teaches it in 1 Corinthians 11: I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. This is not something for us to roll our eyes at, or sigh about, or be embarrassed about. Headship, authority are built into creation because that is who God is and so that’s how God creates and sustains and blesses life. We need to see the big, beautiful picture of God and His world.
And if we rebel against His order, we also sacrifice His gift of life for the sake of our own selfish ideas. We destroy His blessing. And this is exactly what the prevailing attitudes have done in the past century, and today we are seeing their devastating results. We try to sterilize and control the love between a man and a woman, so we can seize this precious gift and twist it for our own selfish and perverse lusts. We suppress and even kill the life that God wants to give in the womb. We try to take the strength away from our men and boys to subdue them, and we try to take the beauty away from our women and girls to make them more like men.
And what do we have from at least a century of this? Disease, murder, rape, abuse. Fewer children, fewer families. The younger generations are smaller than the ones they will be replacing. That’s a fact, and it will have consequences, for society, for the economy—we’re already feeling it in the church, with not enough pastors to supply all the churches. Many fathers have vanished from the home, and many of the fathers that remain aren’t sure what they’re supposed to do. There is dishonor for men and shame for women, and people just keep using each other for momentary gratification.
We need to recover God’s good design for His creation. We need men to be men, strong and noble, and women to be women, life-nurturing and gentle. Should men also be gentle, and are women also strong? Absolutely, but not in the same ways. They are not interchangeable. Men and women are different—this includes the differences in our physical bodies, but it also goes beyond physical differences. We have different virtues, different qualities. God created us this way, He has given us different things to do, and this is good.
We need husbands and wives to receive God’s blessing to be fruitful and multiply. And all of us, whether we have children or not, or whether our children are grown and moved out, we should cherish them as a real gift and blessing from the Lord, and should hold up the raising of children as one of the greatest works you can possibly do in this life. This is why hundreds of thousands of Christians march for life and pray to end abortion. It’s not because we care about a particular political side, but because we know and love God’s design for life.
And this is also why the Church cares about sins like fornication and divorce, homosexuality, transgenderism, and feminism. It’s not because the Church is just the morality police. We’re not out to ruin everybody’s fun. The Church is on the side of creation, humanity, beauty, life, human flourishing, human enjoyment. We know what is good, what God has created, what He wants to give us. When we keep His Law, when we live according to His design, we are joining into that big, beautiful riot of life that God has made for us. When we do that life is better and God’s blessings are given.
And so, by taking our place in His created order and gladly doing what He has given each of us to do, we are praising our Lord. We are acting like that water turning to wine. Jesus blessed the water, and He used it to bless the marriage. He showed His glory as the Creator, Giver, and Savior of Life. And His creatures, both the water and the bridal couple, responded in praise and thanksgiving.
Some of you with good memories might be thinking, this sounds like a sermon from last year. Well, you’d be right. And I’m glad you paid attention. And if you don’t remember it, that’s fine too. That’s why I wanted to review it again. I don’t recycle sermons very often, but I felt that the points of this sermon are so important for our times that they really needed to be repeated.
I want you to see that there is a reason behind what God calls a sin. There is a reason a faithful church needs to care about things like sex and birth. It’s not just about pounding the Law! And telling people No! It’s also about the joy of God’s gifts! It’s also about telling people Yes! Yes, getting married is awesome, and it really should be a higher priority than even college or career. Yes, having babies is amazing, and the more you have the better things get. It’s true. You can ask Christians with big families and they will confirm it. We need to tell young people these things. God loves marriage and children. We need to love it too. And show it! Encourage it.
So, I wanted to use this opportunity to share this message once again. But I would love to talk more about it with anyone interested. If I said something strange to you, or it even sounded wrong, please come talk to me about it. I promise I’ll listen. I’ll understand. I would love to actually know what kind of stuff you’re dealing with and how I can help. That’s what I’m here for. So, do you have questions? Come ask. I love questions. Do you disagree with something I’ve said? Come tell me. I need to learn and grow too. Do you like everything I’ve said? Come tell me that too! It’s such a joy when Christians rejoice in God’s Word together. Most of all, I hope that you will come to see more and more the love of God in the beautiful design He has for this world and for your life.
At the center of this grand design is what St. Paul calls the Profound Mystery—the marriage of Christ and the Church. The Lord Jesus is the Bridegroom for the world. He loves His creation and He redeems it. He blesses His creation and elevates it to a life that will never end. Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
He loves His Bride the Church in this way, and so He prepares her—He prepares us—for that Day when we will be ushered into His beautiful presence. Then His glory will be fully manifest, fully epiphanied for all of us to see. Then the Bridegroom will be with His Bride and the ultimate wedding feast will begin. The miracle at Cana is marvelous in so many ways, but it shouldn’t come as a shock to us if we know our God who loves His creation, who loves to see us enjoy His creation, and who will one day re-make His creation. Our Lord will return, He will show His glory, and His new creation will break forth in joy. Then we will truly be able to sing: Now He shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord Evermore and evermore.
In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.
Preached at Trinity, Clinton, IA & Immanuel, Charlotte, IA
1 Corinthians 1:26–31
St. Matthew 3:13–17
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I assume many of us have asked a question similar to John the Baptist: Why does Jesus need to be baptized? If He doesn’t have any sins, why is Jesus getting baptized with a bunch of sinners? And then I assume many ask a similar question for ourselves: So, I need baptism because I’m sinner, but once I’m baptized, why do I need to think about it anymore? In other words, what does baptism have to do with the rest of my life? These questions about Jesus’ baptism and our own go together, so we will answer them both.
First, why does Jesus get baptized? He tells us, to fulfill all righteousness. Everything He does, He does for us men and for our salvation. He does it to accomplish, to do every righteous thing in our place. He doesn’t get baptized because He needs it. He gets baptized because we need it. He gets baptized as our representative so that we can get baptized like Him.
So, He was baptized as a man. As the new man, the new Adam, standing in for all mankind, Jesus gets baptized. This makes it possible for all men to step into His place and get that baptism for themselves. The Second Person of the Trinity, the eternal Son of the Father, already possessed the Holy Spirit. He was in perfect communion with the Father and the Spirit from before the beginning of time. But Jesus receives the Holy Spirit as a man in His baptism, so that He can give the Holy Spirit to us. Jesus didn’t need what He got in baptism. As true God, He didn’t need the forgiveness of sins, or the gift of the Holy Spirit, or the declaration of His Father’s voice. But Jesus got all of that as a man, so that we can get it too. He didn’t need to be purified or cleansed, but He hallowed the water. He is holier than the font, purer than the water—He is their source. He does not dirty the water with sins, but instead He cleanses the water, He makes it holy, so that when it is poured out on us, it makes us holy.
Everything Jesus does, He does for us. Everything Jesus is, He is for us. This is what St. Paul was saying when he wrote: you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Jesus became your wisdom—there’s no knowledge you can gain that will help you more than the knowledge of your Savior. Jesus became your righteousness—your sins are canceled out and His rightness, His good deeds, count for you. Jesus became your sanctification—His holiness makes you holy, filled with the presence of the holy God but not destroyed—a holy temple for Him to dwell in. Jesus became your redemption—He is your rescuer, He is your everything.
There’s nothing, no gift from God that you can get, that hasn’t been given to you in your baptism, because you are in Christ Jesus. He is redemption—you are baptized into Jesus, so you are redeemed. He is sanctification—you are baptized into Jesus, so you are holy. He is justification—you are baptized into Jesus, so you are righteous. He is wisdom—you are baptized into Jesus, so you are wise.
I don’t know how many more ways I can say how great a treasure and gift baptism is. And yet, we hear all that and ask, once I’m baptized, why do I need to think about it anymore? What does baptism have to do with the rest of my life? If I get all of that great stuff in baptism, then why do I need anything else, like the Bible, or the church, or the Lord’s Supper?
But think about it: if Baptism really is everything we’ve said it is—if Baptism is Jesus being and doing everything for you—if that’s what Baptism is, then how can you ever get done with that? How can that ever become old news? How can Baptism ever become an excuse to stay away from God and away from all the gifts He keeps on giving? If Jesus is your everything, for you are in Jesus, then Baptism is your everything. Baptism is not just the few moments it took to pour the water and say the words. Baptism is the whole of your life. It’s not just one thing you’ve got to do (as if getting the baby baptized is just this one little thing we’ve got to do but has nothing to do with living a Christian life connected to the church). Baptism is not just one bit, a part segmented from the rest of you. From your Baptism on, everything you get and everything you do you get and do as the baptized.
So, when you sin, you sin against your baptism. You sin against the Holy Name of God that’s been put on you. And when you repent, you are brought back to the effect of your baptism: you die to sin, you drown yourself, so that you only live for Christ, because your only life is in Christ. When you hear the absolution, you are renewed in the righteousness and holiness of Jesus, which you first got at baptism. And when you hear God’s Word you listen as a baptized child of your heavenly Father. You love to hear it—not only do you need to hear God’s Word and preaching, but you enjoy it. How could a baptized person do anything else? And when you receive the Lord’s Supper, you come as a baptized one. You’re someone belonging to Jesus, someone in Jesus. And then in the Lord’s Supper, Jesus comes into you, so that you are completely, fully covered and filled with Jesus. He is your wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption—your everything. Baptism puts you into Him, and the Lord’s Supper puts Him into you. It’s all one.
And then, when you go about your daily life, you go about it baptized.
So use your baptism well! You are made new—
In Christ a new creation!
As faithful Christians, live and do
Within your own vocation (LSB 596:6).
You’re a father teaching his children and bringing them to church, or a mother making sure the kids have clothes and food and a nice home to grow up in. That’s your baptism at work. When you do your schoolwork, whether you excel or struggle, you do your schoolwork baptized, which means doing your schoolwork becomes a holy work. And if you’re sitting at home by yourself, wondering what’s the point for you, then know that you sit there baptized. You’re not alone, and God’s point for you is that you’re His child and He loves you. When you’re supervising your workers or listening to your boss, when you’re shoveling someone’s sidewalk, when you’re cooking dinner, you’re baptized. And that means all of your work is baptized.
Every moment of every day, you are a beloved child of the Father. You are an immortal, walking in this dark and dying world like a burning torch. Just by being someone baptized, you shine the Light of Christ. You are a free lord over this world—nothing can destroy you or tear you away from your Lord Jesus. And you are a free servant, putting yourself under all others, willing to give yourself away for them as your free Servant Jesus did for you. All of that and more is Baptism. Do you think you could ever get done or get tired of that?
Jesus fulfills all righteousness, He is all holiness, and He gives it all to you. He gets baptized for you and you get all of Him in baptism. There’s no way for any of us to use it up or get through it all in this life. There’s never any “that’s enough,” never any “being finished” with the Lord and His gifts. Being finished with Baptism, not needing the Supper, going without the Word, that is just unbelief.
But instead, whenever the Lord gives us a gift, He presses our hands open more to receive yet another one. There’s always another gift from the Lord, And each gift leads on into the next. Baptism flows into hearing and learning the Word. Hearing and learning the Word stirs up the hunger and thirst for the Lord’s body and blood. The Lord’s body and blood satisfies that hunger and fills you with life: holy life here and now, holy life forever.
In the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Preached at Trinity, Clinton, IA & Immanuel, Charlotte, IA
(Observed)
Isaiah 60:1–6
Ephesians 3:1–12
St. Matthew 2:1–12
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When the apostles went and preached the Gospel to all nations, they followed a pattern: to the Jews first, then also to the Gentiles. That pattern was already set with Jesus’ birth. The good news of the Savior’s birth was proclaimed to the Shepherds, first, then also to the Magi. The shepherds would’ve been Jews, Israelites, children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the Magi were definitely Gentiles, non-Jews. Tradition has the three come from Africa, Asia, and Europe, representing all the heathen nations. More likely they came from Persia, Babylon, or Arabia. But either way, they represent the new thing that happens with the coming of Christ: salvation is no longer found only among the Jewish people. As St. Paul preaches the Gospel, he declares: This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. The birth of Christ shines light out into all the dark world. It is the epiphany of the Lord’s salvation for all people.
But notice, that even though the light of Christ is shining for all, not all receive His epiphany. Jesus is made manifest neither to the learned nor to the outwardly just. This is deliberate, because no one is saved by their knowledge or pious life or great achievements. So to make that point, His birth is told to ignorant shepherds, country-folk who never got more than a third grade education. And it’s told to sinful magi, who practice astrology and witchcraft. Already at His birth, Jesus is bringing together both Jew and Gentile. And also bringing the foolish to His wisdom, and bringing the sinners to His righteousness.
None of the worldly great ones can take pride in themselves when it comes to their relationship with Christ. See how the shepherds and magi are so different from the learned and outwardly righteous Jews, or the worldly powerful King Herod. All worldly expectations are turned upside-down with Christmas and Epiphany. The holy Jews and mighty Herod are ruling in the royal city, with a palace and soldiers, and a golden temple, while the Savior is born in humble Bethlehem. The true King has for His courtiers smelly shepherds and creepy soothsayers.
But in God’s great plan, before they make it to Bethlehem, the Magi go first to Jerusalem, where they make Christ known, and they show God’s judgment on those who reject Him. Look at how these Gentile, formerly-pagan Magi put the Jews to shame! They only had a star to follow, but they pack up and go seeking the Christ. On the other hand, the Jews have been hearing and reading the prophecies about Christ from their childhood, and even though He was of their blood, born in their midst, they did not receive Him. Isn’t it scandalous how they answer the questions about where the Savior would be born, but then did not seek Him! They knew where He was but did not go worship Him.
Instead, news about the Savior’s birth makes the Jews afraid! King Herod is terrified by the birth of a little baby. And the rest of Jerusalem is terrified because they fear what this petty king will do to keep hold of his earthly power. Great power is always subject to great fear. Power is hard to hold onto, and tyrants will always be looking over their shoulder for the next bigger, stronger guy coming to take their power away. The top branches of a tall tree are moved by the slightest breeze, but the little trees down in the valley are safe from even violent storms. So also men in high places are sensitive to every rumor, every opinion poll, every bit of unrest, and the people who count on their powerful rulers will also tremble when the big guys are nervous.
But the lowly are not disturbed. They do not worry about the changes and chances of governments and economies. Like little children, safe in their father’s lap, they know he will not let them be harmed. So, see who actually goes to worship Christ. Lowly people, outsiders, the downtrodden: people who are not proud of themselves; people who do not try to control their lives and have things their own way; people who are not ashamed to confess their sins, to leave their sins, and let Christ be their good and only Master. These people are like the simple shepherds, and like the Magi.
So, like all true Christians who worship Christ, the Magi listen to the Bible. They heard the Word from the prophet Micah, who foretold where the King would be born. They were not ashamed to listen to God’s Word and follow it, and go to lowly Bethlehem. Don’t you see how the indifference, the apathy of the Jews is reproved by the zeal of the Magi? The unbelief of the people who should know better is put to shame by the love of those who are desperate for a Savior.
The Magi truly believed in the Savior: God in the flesh, for all people. They had to know that’s who this Child is. What could a Jewish king do for them unless they believed that He was going to bless all nations? They didn’t go to worship Him to get any worldly power or perks. A little baby is certainly not going to be flattered by their rich gifts. They weren’t going to benefit from the great splendor of a king’s court, nor from the power of a great army, nor from the fame of this ruler. They didn’t get any of that in Bethlehem. But they listened to God and went and worshiped Him anyway.
If God had chosen Rome for His Son’s birth, people would think that the salvation of the world was accomplished by great people. If He was the son of the Emperor, born in a king’s palace, people would think His power was due to military might. Instead, God chose only what was poor and humble so that all would know that salvation was a work of God alone. He chose a poor little woman for His mother, a poor country, a poor home. He was just a tiny baby, who had a trough for His cradle.
But something great was hidden in this Child. The Magi knew it. They were not scandalized or offended. They did not turn away from His poverty and weakness. Instead, they rejoiced with great joy! There can be no doubt, they sought a heavenly King. If they had sought an earthly king they would have remained with Him, to gain from Him worldly riches or to protect Him from worldly attacks. But instead, after adoring Him, they go back home! And you can be sure they continued to trust and worship Him there.
The Magi are the first of the Gentiles to learn this, not from their earthly knowledge but from divine revelation. They announce His birth, yet they also ask more about Him. They believe, yet they also seek to learn. They are like all Christians who walk by faith and still desire to see. They are not satisfied with the little they have, but they seek for more truth from their God. The angels of heaven announced to the shepherds. The star of heaven announced to the Magi. In both cases, it is the voice of heaven revealing, shining God’s grace and truth. In both cases, the Word of God directs people to the Savior. We do not come to know God through our efforts, prayers, thoughts, family, power, or wealth. We only know God through Himself, through His very own Words.
So let us not remain with the proud, the strong, stuck in their city, stuck in themselves, satisfied with the life they have and not wanting the greater life God gives. Let us press on in faith like the Magi. Let us come here to His altar, having heard His Word, and let us adore our God in the flesh. By meeting and believing in that holy Child, the Magi got a new country: the kingdom of God. So also our true country is Paradise. We have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, so we cannot go home by the same way we left it. We left the first paradise on the path of pride and disobedience, following visible wealth and power, eating forbidden food, wanting things our way. So, like the Magi, we must return another way—go to our true home by another route: the way of tears, sorrow over our sin; the path of obedience to God’s Word, with contempt for this world and all our plans for how we think life should be; and with love for what God says and gives: forgiveness, new life, new power to resist sin, joy, and peace—for all people—for all who receive the light of His Gospel.
In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.
Preached at Trinity, Clinton, IA & Immanuel, Charlotte, IA
