corrected e-vo for week of December 30

Dearest e-votees-

Happy New Year. I hope and pray that you and yours have a blessed and joyous 2010.

This coming WEDNESDAY is JANUARY 6 (aka Epiphany). It is the first day after the 12 days of Christmas have elapsed. Since most of us won’t be doing liturgical worship based around the appointed readings of the Revised Common Lectionary on the actual day of Epiphany I thought we could linger in the appointed gospel lesson for that day during this week’s e-vo.

Peace,
Karl

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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.' "Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Matthew 2:1-12, NRSV

This section of scripture (and what immediately follows) is the only mention in the New Testament of the “3 Wise Men”. (3 seems to have come from the fact that 3 gifts were brought). There is a hint of such a visit found in Isaiah 60:1-6 (the appointed Old Testament reading for the day of Epiphany).

It is hard to enter into this story. We take travelling great distances for granted with modern transit options. We look to the internet or the paper or the news for the latest breaking stories—we don’t scour the evening sky. We don’t pay homage to others (remember the dust-up when President Obama may have bowed to a foreign dignitary?). We certainly don’t lavish extravagant gifts on newborn children. And if we did, it is quite likely we might return to see what kind of return we might get on our investment. This story is very hard to import with our modern sensibilities. The truth is this is a different kind of story involving a different kind of people from a different kind of time.

What is not hard to understand is Herod’s jealousy. Herod was a person of title and power. Here comes a new ruler foretold in the heavens and beckoning wise men from afar. Herod is threatened. The travelers ask around to find Jesus. They say that they want to pay homage. Herod sees a chance to rub out a threat and offers to pay homage too. Unfortunately his “homage” involves the business end of a sword—see Matthew 2:16.

All of us have power and title as part of our existence. God continues to come into this world and upset the status quo. Our powers and our titles must give way to this one born in a manger—to this one coming again at the end of all time—to this one who continues to be revealed to the world. What kind of homage will we pay this king—reverent with sacrificial gifts or self-serving with sacrificial intent? Are we more like the wise men or more like Herod?

Jesus, reveal yourself to us and to this world. Help us put aside what we think we deserve that we might receive from you the things we don’t deserve and could never acquire apart from your grace. Help us let our lights so shine in the world that others might our good works and glorify you—our Father in heaven.** Amen.

** - Matthew 5:16—used as a baptismal charge these days.