Note: Epiphany transferred from Jan 6 for observance on this Sunday
The Magi traveled a long way, first from the East to Jerusalem, then from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and finally from Bethlehem back home again. Along that journey they experienced good days and bad days, joy and sorrow. Yet through it all, both the star and the Scriptures guided them to Jesus. So also, on our journey to heaven, there will be good days and bad days, joy and sorrow. But through it all, the Scriptures point us to Jesus. They guide us on our pathway to heaven.
While Judah was in exile in Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar placed Daniel in charge of the wise men (Daniel 2:48). Daniel most likely taught the wise men that the promised Messiah would be a Savior for them and for all nations. Daniel also would have taught them that the Savior will be born when “a star shall come out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17). This promise of a coming Savior was likely passed down from generation to generation among the Magi for more than 600 years.
When the Magi finally saw the star, they believed with certainty that the Savior had been born. They packed their bags with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They loaded up their camels and set out on a long journey to Jerusalem. Though they rejoiced in the Savior from their home, they were compelled by faith to seek out their Savior in person. They traveled in order to worship the Christ and to give Him gifts.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they asked a simple question: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” But no one in Jerusalem knew anything about the birth of Christ. Jerusalem is the capital of the Jews and the center of religious life. Yet no one knew anything about the birth of Christ. Even King Herod knew nothing of it.
Put yourself in the place of the Magi. What would be going through your mind? Are the promises of the Messiah recorded in Scripture really true? Should we trust God’s Word, or should we trust what our eyes and ears tell us; that no one here knows anything about this child? Did we make this long journey for nothing? Do we give up, turn around, and go back home?
When you go through trial and tribulation; when your days are filled with sorrow and sadness, what do you do? Where do you turn? Do you rely on the promises of God’s Word, or do you rely on your own human reason?
We live in a fallen, sin-filled world. Trouble, trials, tribulation, suffering, and pain are real. We endure them day after day. We suffer because of our own sin, and we suffer because of the sin of others. In the midst of these struggles, our sinful flesh tempts us to doubt God and His promises. It tempts us to curse God, to turn away from Him, and to seek comfort in the pleasures of this world.
But do not give in to the flesh. Instead, cling to the promises found in God’s Word that He loves you and care about you. Holy Scripture declares that Christ is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; that He is your Good Shepherd who watches over you. God forgives your sin on account of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Did the Magi doubt the Scriptures? No. They did not ask, “Has the King of the Jews been born?” Rather, they asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” They believed that He is born. They only asked where He could be found. They trusted what God’s Word had promised rather than what all of Jerusalem seemed to deny. Scripture shaped their faith, not public opinion or human reason.
Did Herod believe that the Messiah had been born? Yes he did. Herod believed that the Christ had been born, not so that he might worship Him, but so that he might destroy Him. Herod’s claim that he wished to worship the child was a lie. Herod feared a rival king and would stop at nothing to preserve his own power.
Did the Jewish leaders believe that the Messiah had been born? Apparently not. They showed no joy and no eagerness at the news brought by the Magi. They likely assumed that if anyone were to be the first to hear of the Messiah’s birth, it should have been them. “Who are these foreigners from the East,” they wondered, “bringing news of a Savior?” Yet the prophet Isaiah had foretold it. Isaiah 60:3 said that “Nations shall come to your light.” The Jewish leaders should have recognized that the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 60 was being fulfilled as Gentiles came from the East to worship the Christ. Yet, they remained in their unbelief.
Did all of Jerusalem believe that the Messiah had been born? We don’t know. But we do know that they were troubled. Why? Because Herod was troubled. They feared Herod more than they feared the one true God. They followed Herod rather than the Word of God.
Like Herod, our culture seeks to destroy Christ and His teaching. It wants nothing to do with Christianity or with the Word of God.
Therefore, do not follow the pagan culture of this world. Do not be like Herod, who opposed Christ out of fear and pride. Do not be like the Jewish leaders, who trusted in their own status and works rather than in God’s Word. And do not be like the crowds in Jerusalem, who feared Herod more than they feared God and His Word.
Instead, hear the preaching of God’s Word. Receive the Gospel which forgives your sin. Persevere in the faith even in the midst of hostility from and unbelieving world. Continue to trust in Christ as your Savior. Cling to the promises of God found in the Scriptures.
The Magi were told that according to Micah 5:2 the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Trusting in God’s Word, they set out for Bethlehem. And as they went on their way, behold, the star that they had seen earlier went before them. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. The star led them to the place where the Child was. Going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother. Though they saw only an infant, the Scriptures revealed to them that this baby is God in the flesh, their King and Savior. They fell down on the knees and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Then, God warned the Magi in a dream not to return to Herod. They listened to God’s Word and returned to their own country.
The Magi relied on the promises found in God’s Word. Even when they encountered difficulty and confusion in Jerusalem, they did not turn back. They persevered. They clung to the Scriptures. They followed the Word. And the Scriptures, together with the star, led them to Jesus.
Jesus, too, was on a journey. He came from heaven to earth, and then from earth He ascend back to heaven.
Jesus’ life on earth began when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. He was born in Bethlehem. Jesus’ public ministry began with His baptism in the Jordan River. Throughout His ministry, He preached good news to the poor. He healed many with frail and diseased bodies. He came to His own people, yet they did not receive Him. They did not believe that He is the promised Savior and their King.
Jesus was indeed a King, the King of the Jews, but not a king like Herod. Jesus’ mission was not to seize earthly power, but to suffer and die. On what we call “Good Friday,” Jesus made the payment for our sin. He was the atoning sacrifice for our sin. He died so that we could be reconciled to our heavenly Father.
The Magi were right: Jesus is the King of the Jews. And the gifts they brought were fitting for Him. Gold is a gift fit for a king. Frankincense was used in the sacrifices offered by the priests, pointing to Jesus as our great High Priest, who offered Himself as a fragrant offering for the sins of the whole world. And myrrh was used to anoint the body of the dead, anticipating our Lord’s burial and His rest in the tomb for three days.
But death did not have the final word. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. He defeated our enemies of death and the devil. Forty days later, He ascended to the right hand of the Father.
Throughout His journey from heaven to earth and back to heaven again, Jesus never threw in the towel. He never gave up. He persevered. He remained faithful in bringing salvation to a fallen world.
You, too, are on a journey—a journey to heaven. On your journey, do not be like the chief priests and the teachers of the law who doubted God’s Word. Instead, believe in God’s Word, even when it goes against human reason. Believe that God saved you in the waters of Holy Baptism. Believe that Christ’s true body and blood are really present in the bread and the wine. Believe that God deeply cares for you in both good days and bad.
And do not be like Herod. Do not resist or oppose Christ. Rather, remain faithful to God’s Word. Trust God’s Word. Receive the forgiveness of sins. Cling to Christ alone for your salvation. In faith, worship Christ as your only Savior.
On your journey to heaven, God’s Word will guide you. It will instruct you in how to live as a Christian—what to do and what not to do. It will warn you of the dangers of idolatry, immorality and sin.
On your journey to heaven the Gospel will be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. It will keep you in the narrow way and it will strengthen your faith in Christ.
By faith you listen to God’s Word, and you believe in the promises of God. By faith you receive gifts—not gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—but gifts of life and salvation. Jesus is your true treasure. By faith you give up everything, and you go to where Jesus and His Gospel is found. By faith you freely give in support of God’s kingdom here and abroad.
A star does not lead you to Christ. Rather, the Gospel leads you to Christ. Here in this house of worship, Christ is present. You hear His Word. He reminds you of His love and care for you. He washed you in the waters of Holy Baptism and He gives you His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.
On your journey, Jesus will be your Epiphany Star. He will guide you safely home. Amen.
