Wise Men Still Seek Him
Mat. 2:1-12
by HW in HI

This evening we come to the end of Christmastide, the celebration of Christmas. We come to Epiphany. An epiphany is a revelation of God’s given to us, an awakening to the truth. In the gospel of Matthew the magi, the wise men, are seekers of the truth. Sometimes people speak of having an epiphany – a sudden sense of God’s great presence or God’s great truth. The season of Epiphany in the church is based upon the great Epiphany of the magi, who sought the truth and found it.

Our world is filled today with many seekers of the truth. Many who would like to find God, but are afraid there isn’t God. Or who would like to find magic. Or who would like to find a source of great power. This evening let us become seekers of truth.

Let us travel back in time, to a foreign country. Perhaps it is Babylon. We are gentiles, all of us. Well educated, we have come from families that encourage learned study. We believe there are answers to our world to be found, and we are open to every possibility. It would not totally surprise us to learn that the earth is round, or even that it revolves around the sun. But we are looking for deeper truths than that. We want to know something about ourselves, about human nature, about destiny.

We often study the stars for answers. Others call us Zoroastrians, today some might say we are astrologers. We have seen a sign in the sky that something unusual is taking place. A great star has risen. Some say it is a sign that the king of truth is born. A great debate ensues. Some say that no such thing has happened. Others see the star as a sign of this king’s birth. Intellectually, it doesn’t seem right. Surely a king of truth would be known by some more direct, some obvious path. Or perhaps we could correlate the star’s rising with some other heavenly appearance. But in our hearts, there is this strange warm feeling. Some of us have decided to go where this star leads us, to see if there is a king. You must choose. Will you go, and risk the ridicule of your friends? Or will you stay at home, with all the comforts someone of your position deserves? There are risks on the road, of course. Perhaps bandits and thieves, disease, inclement weather.... But quickly, you must decide.

Good. I’m glad you are going. Quickly, call together a servant or two to assist you in packing. You will need food and water. Money for the journey. Take a few moments to think everything through. It could be a long trip. It looks like everyone is packed and ready to go. Some of my friends said they wondered what I was doing. I’m not at all sure myself, but let’s get going.

Wait. What will we do if we actually find this king? Of course, we will ask him for the truth of the world. If he is an infant, then what? In any case, perhaps he will not receive us? Ahh, gifts. I had forgotten about gifts! What shall we bring? Gold, yes – that is a good idea. Frankincense – to rise as an evening prayer! Myrrh – the herb of great value. Good! Let us be going now.

......

What a difficult journey this has been. Let us stop at the palace of the king. Surely we will know about the new king! Perhaps it is his son!

.....

Can you believe that man? What kind of king is he? So..... vile. Yes, vile. Did you see the look on his face when we first told him about the baby king? I thought the veins popping out on his neck were going to burst. And then a banquet, just for us. With all the chief priests in attendance. All to help us find the baby king. He says he will worship the baby. Do you think so? I agree. He seems – vile. Let us be off to Bethlehem. But let us go quietly now, so we do not stir up anymore kings!

We are all tired. It has been a long journey! And no one in Bethlehem seems to have heard or seen anything. Not one of the Pharisees. Not one of the ruling families. Not a cloth merchant. No one. I understand you want to check with these fellows, but it makes no sense. They are shepherds, for heavens sake. What would a shepherd know? How much schooling do you think the average shepherd gets? But if it will make you happy....

They said they saw angels! And they know where the baby is! Well, excuse me. If anyone were to see angels, I would think it would be one of us. We, after all, are educated. We, after all, watch the heavens. A geavenly angel appearing to shepherds! Really.

Yes, you’re right. We might as well follow their directions. We’ve tried everything else. Look, there they are. The star, the baby. Parents. Look at them! They look like a vision from heaven. Quick, the gifts! Oh, they don’t seem like much, do they? Well, give them to him anyway, I guess. How awful! All this way, and our gifts are as nothing!

You’re right. We can kneel. All we can do is worship him!

Finally, the truth, the Epiphany: The only way to find true wisdom is by bowing your life to Jesus and Wise Men Still Seek Him

This evening we come to the end of Christmastide, the celebration of Christmas. We come to Epiphany. An epiphany is a revelation of God’s given to us, an awakening to the truth. In the gospel of Matthew the magi, the wise men, are seekers of the truth. Sometimes people speak of having an epiphany – a sudden sense of God’s great presence or God’s great truth. The season of Epiphany in the church is based upon the great Epiphany of the magi, who sought the truth and found it.

Our world is filled today with many seekers of the truth. Many who would like to find God, but are afraid there isn’t God. Or who would like to find magic. Or who would like to find a source of great power. This evening let us become seekers of truth.

Let us travel back in time, to a foreign country. Perhaps it is Babylon. We are gentiles, all of us. Well educated, we have come from families that encourage learned study. We believe there are answers to our world to be found, and we are open to every possibility. It would not totally surprise us to learn that the earth is round, or even that it revolves around the sun. But we are looking for deeper truths than that. We want to know something about ourselves, about human nature, about destiny.

We often study the stars for answers. Others call us Zoroastrians, today some might say we are astrologers. We have seen a sign in the sky that something unusual is taking place. A great star has risen. Some say it is a sign that the king of truth is born. A great debate ensues. Some say that no such thing has happened. Others see the star as a sign of this king’s birth. Intellectually, it doesn’t seem right. Surely a king of truth would be known by some more direct, some obvious path. Or perhaps we could correlate the star’s rising with some other heavenly appearance. But in our hearts, there is this strange warm feeling. Some of us have decided to go where this star leads us, to see if there is a king. You must choose. Will you go, and risk the ridicule of your friends? Or will you stay at home, with all the comforts someone of your position deserves? There are risks on the road, of course. Perhaps bandits and thieves, disease, inclement weather.... But quickly, you must decide.

Good. I’m glad you are going. Quickly, call together a servant or two to assist you in packing. You will need food and water. Money for the journey. Take a few moments to think everything through. It could be a long trip. It looks like everyone is packed and ready to go. Some of my friends said they wondered what I was doing. I’m not at all sure myself, but let’s get going.

Wait. What will we do if we actually find this king? Of course, we will ask him for the truth of the world. If he is an infant, then what? In any case, perhaps he will not receive us? Ahh, gifts. I had forgotten about gifts! What shall we bring? Gold, yes – that is a good idea. Frankincense – to rise as an evening prayer! Myrrh – the herb of great value. Good! Let us be going now.

......

What a difficult journey this has been. Let us stop at the palace of the king. Surely we will know about the new king! Perhaps it is his son!

.....

Can you believe that man? What kind of king is he? So..... vile. Yes, vile. Did you see the look on his face when we first told him about the baby king? I thought the veins popping out on his neck were going to burst. And then a banquet, just for us. With all the chief priests in attendance. All to help us find the baby king. He says he will worship the baby. Do you think so? I agree. He seems – vile. Let us be off to Bethlehem. But let us go quietly now, so we do not stir up anymore kings!

We are all tired. It has been a long journey! And no one in Bethlehem seems to have heard or seen anything. Not one of the Pharisees. Not one of the ruling families. Not a cloth merchant. No one. I understand you want to check with these fellows, but it makes no sense. They are shepherds, for heavens sake. What would a shepherd know? How much schooling do you think the average shepherd gets? But if it will make you happy....

They said they saw angels! And they know where the baby is! Well, excuse me. If anyone were to see angels, I would think it would be one of us. We, after all, are educated. We, after all, watch the heavens. A Heavenly angel appearing to shepherds! Really.

Yes, you’re right. We might as well follow their directions. We’ve tried everything else. Look, there they are. The star, the baby. Parents. Look at them! They look like a vision from heaven. Quick, the gifts! Oh, they don’t seem like much, do they? Well, give them to him anyway, I guess. How awful! All this way, and our gifts are as nothing!

You’re right. We can kneel. All we can do is worship him!

Finally, the truth, the Epiphany: The only way to find true wisdom is by bowing your life to Jesus and worshiping Him by giving the gift of your life. Amen.