Today marks the end of the Christmas season with the great feast day of Epiphany. You might recognize that word from general use, to describe when a person has a sudden insight. But this is the original, the revelation of the kingship of Jesus Christ by the world, including non-Jews.
Also, we move very quickly to Jesus’ Baptism on Sunday, with no Sunday devoted to Epiphany readings. That’s why I’m including this “bonus” set of readings.
In all of the readings today, note the common thread of the Good News that is for the whole world, and how the world responds. Today is about Jesus’ kingship and His glory.
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
We have had a lot of angels in Advent and Christmas. There probably aren’t any angels in today’s reading—at least none are mentioned specifically. What we do have are kings and servants.
This is the passage that immediately precedes the one we read last Sunday. This is one of those occasions when the order of lectionary readings can kind of mess us up. Also, interestingly, Matthew doesn’t mention a census. (We read that in Luke earlier.) In fact, no mention of location is made in Matthew until this chapter!
We meet some “wise men” who arrive at King Herod’s court in Jerusalem to locate this king they’ve been seeing signs of. There are so many things to note about these men—you can read tons and tons, so I’ll just go through some highlights:
- They were from “the East,” most likely Babylon/Persia.
- They were familiar enough with Jewish scriptures that they could use them to look for signs, even though they didn’t necessarily believe them and worship the One True God.
- Journeys by camel from Persia to Jerusalem would have taken at least forty days at that time. It’s about 800 miles.
- The term “wise men” is a translational tradition. “Magi” is probably more accurate—they were court seers and magicians whose job it was to look for signs of ANY strange activity on the part of any gods.
I think it’s interesting that these Gentile men were experts in the Jewish scriptures. That likely happened during the Babylonian and Persian exile during the time of Daniel. Daniel himself was held in high regard, so his religion would have been examined by those in the court so they could learn, too.
They specifically quote Micah 5:2 to Herod, which is how they identify Bethlehem as the place they should be headed. But in addition, they are acting exactly in accordance with Numbers 24:17. That was a prophecy by a non-Jew (Balaam) TO a non-Jew (King Balak) about a Hebrew king and the sign that would come in the sky.
Finally, note that the Magi find the Holy Family in a “house,” not a barn. Jesus is a little older here, and we don’t know exactly when the little family made the move, or why. But it’s apparent that the gifts the Magi give were providential, because in the next passage they have to flee to Egypt.
Note how the encounter with Jesus changed the Magi, as well. They found a little family in a house in a small town, and they did something they didn’t bother to do with Herod; they “fell down and worshipped.” They also gave him treasures. The encounter changed them, because God is able to speak to them through dreams after this encounter. They go back to their home a different way.
Finally, see how gracious God is is speaking to us in our own language. Joseph and Mary saw angels, but angels were a part of their tradition. Angels appear throughout the Old Testament. Joseph may not have expected to ever see an angel himself, but when he did, he understood it. On the other hand, the Magi were searching the sky and poring over ancient texts, probably from many cultures. God spoke to them through a sign in the sky and through the prophecies. These are more indications of how gracious God is in meeting us where we are.
Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6
This is just the loveliest passage! You likely aren’t in a church service today. Might I suggest taking a moment to read this one out loud?
This passage is about the future glory of Israel. Think about what a nation’s glory looks like. It is NOT conquering power and economic might. It IS being the true light of the world, a reflection of God’s glory. It means being the seat of righteousness in the world, not because of who that nation is, but because of who God himself is.
The light will draw people in—all nations and all kings. Isn’t that what happened in our Gospel reading today?
Here is a Psalm by Solomon, the greatest of the kings of Israel and David’s son. It’s widely regarded as a Messianic Psalm. As great as Solomon was, he is pointing to an even greater king than he is.
In addition, note how he asks not to be made greater, but to rule with righteousness.
New Testament: Ephesians 3:1-12
Ephesians is short letter from Paul. It’s such a beautiful letter, full of exhortation and general encouragement. It’s written not to address a specific problem, like some of Paul’s letters. Rather, it was more of a “how ya doing, I’m good” letter to build up the large community of believers in Ephesus.
This letter is written in two sections: the first, chapters 1-3, is more theological, describing who we are and what Jesus has done for us. The second, chapters 4-6, is quite practical, full of advice about living especially in relation to each other as believers. We are in the first section here.
Paul describes how we all, Jews united with Gentiles, are united by Jesus. In particular, note how throughout this passage especially Paul includes Gentiles in all of Jesus’ saving work. He is for the WHOLE world.
Two small notes about this wonderful book: in my daily Bible reading recently I read this book in two sittings. In those big chunks the dynamism and love in Paul’s writing just poured out, in a way that I think is easy to lose when we read these little passages all the time. Try reading a big chunk of this letter, at least all of Chapter 2 and 3 together at some point.
And when you do read Chapter 3, look at the last part, where Paul takes a prayer break right in the middle of the book and offers a benediction for his friends in Ephesus. I think this is a prayer worthy of committing to memory and praying over your friends and fellow believers.
So on that note:
Prayer
Father, we ask that according to the riches of Your glory that You may grant each of us to be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith—that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filed with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, including through me, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)
