Magi were well known in the ancient world. Mostly from Persia, these Zoroastrian priests were practitioners of astrology, fortune telling, and magic arts. They usually served as consultants to royalty and moved in very high social circles. They made a handsome living preying off the insecurities of regional monarchs.
Their forte was astrology, the art of studying the night sky to discover among the stars clues as to the unfolding of human events below. They charted the constellations, tracked the movements of celestial bodies, and interpreted that information in terms of world occurrences. They were convinced they could discover what God was saying to the world through the stars. Each constellation represented a particular nation to them, and changes within those constellations, such as the movement of planets or comets, were noteworthy.
As much as a year before the birth of Jesus these magi were examining the night sky when they discovered changes in Israel’s constellation. Whether it was a comet, a supernova, or an alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, the celestial happening light-years away had deep significance to them. Apparently familiar with Hebrew prophecy, the magi put two and two together and decided it was worth the eight-month trip through desert heat to Jerusalem to discover history-changing events in Israel.
Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar (as Tradition has named them) arrived in Jerusalem to discover that Herod had no clue of any new king of the Jews. In a panic he sent for the scribes to inquire of the place the prophesied Messiah would be born. They turned to Micah 5:2 and discovered that from Bethlehem, insignificant in Judah, the one would be ruler of Israel would rise. Herod sent the wise men on to Bethlehem with the request that they report to him where they discovered the child, so he could worship too.
The men proceeded as directed and discovered the house where Jesus lived. In awe of their discovery they prostrated themselves before him, and presented costly gifts.
Their manner of worship is deeply significant. Pagan astrologers traveled a great distance on the basis of seeing a certain star in a certain place in the sky, and fell down on their faces to pay homage to a child born in humble circumstances and living in humble accommodation. They were used to taking advantage of kings, not worshiping them. The act of prostration itself is important because it means totally surrendering one’s self to the one before whom one worships. No doubt their lives were fundamentally changed from their quest for discovery.
The gifts presented are important also. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh speak to royalty, ministry, and suffering. They acknowledge the roles of prophet, priest, and king. The act of sacrificial gift giving reminds us that the root of worship is sacrifice, seeking to give the best we have without expectation of receiving anything in return. That is how we discover deep humility and devotion to God.
Epiphany and the season following it teaches us that the kingdom is about allowing the world to discover the king. The kingdom is a mystery that is revealed in little glimpses to those who, like the magi, are seeking clues that God is indeed working in our lives.
The Torah tells us that God is not fond of astrology, but apparently he was not beyond using it to let these pagan priests discover him. Their mastery of superstitious arts, combined with perhaps a little knowledge of bits and pieces of Hebrew prophecy, led them to a life-changing discovery.
And so it is with us. Those of us who follow Jesus were led to him by discovering that our lives were incomplete until we surrendered all to become his disciple, and to become like him. It is a life-long quest, like following a distant star.
God created us in his image and likeness, with a deep curiosity to discovered the mysteries of the world. It was our misplaced pursuits that broke our hearts and disrupted the world. God comes to us through the mystery of Jesus. Our quest to discover him leads to restoration. The Holy Spirit gives grace to discover and pursue, and to persevere through long difficult journey.
Discover Jesus. Discover how setting aside your agenda to seek him out, and then setting aside your life to serve him, changes you.
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)Matthew 2:1-12 (Epiphany)
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