We do not know much about the mysterious magi from the east who looked into the night sky and discovered a message about the newly arrived king of the Jews. We don’t know who they were, how many there were, or exactly from where they came.
But we can know they were a proud priestly class who took the arrangements and movements of stars and planets seriously and saw them as effecting world events. We can gather they were magicians, and astrologers who made a good living off superstitious, self-absorbed, and insecure pagan kings. They were pompous and showy, and liked to attract a lot of attention wherever they went.
So when the night sky brought forth a new star in the Israelite constellation they knew something was up. The metaphor of sun, moon, and stars in the middle east is descriptive of governmental order and the balance of power. When something metaphorically happens in the sky it means to them something earth-changing is taking place on earth.
And so it was. With the new star on the horizon God revealed to these pagan flim-flam artists to the rich and famous that the king of kings was born. The Torah tells us God is not fond of astrology, but apparently he was not beyond using it to get his point across. The magi’s mastery of the superstitious arts, combined with perhaps a little knowledge of bits and pieces of ancient Hebrew prophecy, helped them figure out that a trip to Jerusalem would be worth the effort.
It was as if they were drawn to a distant light, to uncover the mystery of the heavens. Finally they arrived in Jerusalem with great fanfare only to find a befuddled and paranoid Herod, without a clue of the celestial sign and the newborn child to which it referred. I am intrigued with their statement to Herod: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and we have come to worship him.” That is a strong word for these proud men to use. They were used to taking advantage of clueless sovereigns for a fee, not worshiping them. But the kind of worship they intended is serious falling down on one’s face and giving ultimate allegiance. Life-changing devotion.
The scribes were called and the Scriptures were consulted. “The child is in Bethlehem,” Herod reported. “Go there to worship him. Be sure to tell me where you find him, because I want to go too. Later.” They followed Herod’s instructions and newly reappeared star to the house in Bethlehem where mother and child were. True to their word they fell to the floor, prostrate in worship and homage. They presented costly gifts testifying to their revelation of the Christ child as prophet, priest, and king. Frankincense for the prophet, myrrh for the priest, and gold for the king. They testify to his royalty, his ministry, and his suffering and pain. They also remind us that genuine worship is not without sacrifice of both personal pride and material possessions.
Through a moving star in the night sky God manifested Jesus, the king of kings, to the pagan magi, and in the process changed their lives. They were compelled to acknowledge him with the sacrifice of worship and prophetic gifts.
The mystery of Epiphany remains for us. Jesus, if we will let him, will attract our attention to the mystery. He will lead us into the presence of God and allow us to see his glory. Christmas teaches us the mystery of incarnation, God with us. Epiphany goes further and teaches us the mystery of the manifestation of Christ as the king of kings and savior of the world. The king of glory is here, building his promised kingdom, and
asking us to join him.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP)
Epiphany 2011
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