The Epiphany of our Lord

St. Matthew 2:1–12

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

They were hungry, tired of rough living.

They had no place to lay their heads under the cold night sky.

Little did they know that the One they sought would also have no home, no cradle, no bed, not even a tomb to call His own.

These three travelled, who knows how far.

And it was just the worst time of the year for a journey, and such a long journey.

Back home they were known as wise men, 

But on this journey they felt foolish.

The voices of friends and neighbors still rang in their ears:

“This is all folly. You’ll only come back poor, broken, empty handed. Or you won’t come back at all.” 

They left everything to follow a star 

And some old nonsense about a king of the Jews, some unknown god in human flesh, and a death that is life.

Foolishness. Utter foolishness.

Yet, they left their homes, their star-gazing towers, their position and prestige.

They left the world,

To find Him.

When they came to the land of the Jews, things became still more foolish.

They looked for Him in the holy city, in the holy temple, in the king’s palace.

But He was not there.

It’s almost like He was hiding from them on purpose.

All they got was a rude reception by some low-life, scoundrel of a tyrant.

All they got were more scraps of old prophecies, Words from the God of the Jews.

Worst of all, this God’s priests didn’t even seem to take the Words all that seriously.

Had it all been for nothing?

Where could this hidden God be found?

On to Bethlehem.

A pitiful, little town from the sound of it.

The king and priests couldn’t be bothered to go.

But on to Bethlehem.

They pressed on, determined to follow this journey to its end,

To the birth that is the end.

And then there was the star again!

Somehow stronger, brighter, clearer.

With the words of God’s prophet glowing in their hearts, the star seemed to point the way,

Led them down the very streets, Right to the door of the house itself.

Could this be the place?

Is this how the hidden God would make Himself known?

With fear, trembling with hope, they entered the house.

There was a Child.

Maybe two months old at the most, on His mother’s lap.

Nothing much to look at, like most babies.

Was this the King?

Could this be the God?

Would this Child become the salvation of mankind?

The prophecy had led them there.

The star confirmed it.

Yes. They had found Him.

They had reached the end of their journey.

They had found the birth that was the end of all journeys.

They had been brought to the end that was the beginning of new life.

And they fell down and worshiped Him. 

Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

And then, I like to think, they sat down, and listened.

The mother Mary, with her husband Joseph, told them everything that had happened;

The first Gentile congregation.

They heard of the angels coming and the arrival of the shepherds.

And they heard of some things that were yet to happen:

Rejection, suffering, death.

This Baby Boy would be a man of sorrows.

Someone who will bear the world’s griefs,

Pierced for our transgressions;

Crushed for our iniquities;

And with His wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray—wandering, lost on long, cold journeys, unsure of our way, and unable to reach our journey’s end on our own—

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on Him—on this Child—

the iniquity of us all.

And then, the three men, 

Much more wise than before,

Go back home.

With nothing to show for their journey, their effort,

No way to recover their costs.

They return empty handed.

And they count it all gain.

They go back to their foreign land,

Back to what was once their home, but now foreign to them as well.

For they had never felt more at home than in that house in little Bethlehem.

They come back with nothing,

With only His Word ringing in their ears: a ruler has come who will shepherd God’s people—all of God’s people.

They come back with no unearthly vision, 

But with only the sight of a Baby on His mother’s lap: God with us.

They come back with no riches; they had left the last of those with Him.

And they come back with only a warning of doom… or was it a promise? 

That this Son was marked, chosen to die,

Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter…

The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

They had left all that behind with Him too—all their sin.

They come home tired, and yet more awake than ever.

Back among their own people, they are uncomfortable surrounded by their old gods, empty, lifeless idols.

Their journey was ended, but they are no longer satisfied with this world.

Their life is over, and yet they are not afraid of death.

They had indeed come back poor, broken, and empty handed,

But with full hearts.

Back home, but not at home in this world, those three wise men are glad of another death, a different kind—

Not the death that all men must endure.

Not the little death that stops the heart from beating.

But the death of Another.

They are glad of the death of the king, the God, the sacrifice.

And so they are glad of their own death with Him:

Death to this world, 

Death to this home of sin, 

Death to self.

This is the death of all those who follow His star, 

All those who leave everything and take up their cross.

This is the death of baptism, the death of water and blood,

The death of sin,

The death of death,

The death where we are joined with Him.

This is the death that is really a rebirth—

The end of all our journeying,

The end of all our toil and sorrow,

The end of not belonging.

It is the rebirth into a new home, a new life, a new world.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.

Inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem, Journey of the Magi

The Epiphany of Our Lord

(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

The Epiphany of Our Lord

St. Matthew 2:1–12

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Epiphany is sometimes called the Gentile Christmas, because we hear about the visit of the Magi or Wise Men. These magi are magicians or astrologers, wizards if you like, and they 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.

Yet, Epiphany is more than just a Gentile Christmas. While it’s closely connected to the Christmas season, it also starts its own season. Epiphany has its own message it wants to impress upon us. The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “revelation.” So on this day and in the season following it, we focus 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 awesome 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, Jesus. And He shows, He reveals, that salvation is found only in this Man, the Son of God.

In our Gospel, there were actually two epiphanies—two manifestations or revelations from God. The first, and more obviously spectacular, is the Star. By the star, God revealed 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 did it mean? How did the Magi know it signified the birth of a King of the Jews? And what kind of King is He?

I assume, that the Magi knew at least some of the Old Testament Scriptures which helped explain this star. In Numbers 24, another Gentile wizard, called Balaam (the one who hears a donkey talk), he is forced by God to prophecy of about the coming 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. Then in our Old Testament reading, Isaiah 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 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 all of the Scriptures—at least they must not have read Micah, because they did not know where this King was to be born. So, even though the star is a marvelous epiphany, it 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 a 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 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 Jewish 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 Magi’s knowledge of stars could only get them so far. They needed the Holy Scriptures to show them what the birth of this Child meant and where to find Him. This epiphany or revelation from God through the mouths and pens of His prophets is better than the star because 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 did 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. With God’s Word, the star becomes a guide to The Light Himself—Jesus Christ. Guide us to thy perfect Light—as we sing in the carol. Or better yet, O Morning Star, how fair and bright! You shine with God’s own truth and light, Aglow with grace and mercy! That is Jesus, the Light of the World.

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 that 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. So we sang: 

Your Word and Spirit, flesh and blood

Refresh our souls with heav’nly food.

You are our dearest treasure!

Let Your mercy 

Warm and cheer us!

O draw near us!

For You teach us

God’s own love through You has reached us.

In the font, in the Scriptures, from the minister, at the altar—these are the places where God’s own love has reached us.

And that is the epiphany we really need. A Gentile Christmas teaches us that by nature we are Gentile sinners, like those Magi. On our own, we are 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 there’s another 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 our Lord 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 our Lord is that He seeks us! O draw near us! We pray. And He does. 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 this house and see Christ the King, the Son of Mary. Fall down and worship Him.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.