Epiphany or manifestation is the festival which falls on 6th January and is usually celebrated on the nearest Sunday. The story is associated with the magi coming to Bethlehem following the star. Last week we asked the question: ‘What brought them to Bethlehem?” This week we ask: “What did they do when they got there?”
They were clear about their objective in coming to see the newborn King:
“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Eugene Peterson writes:
“The first thing that wise people do in the presence of Jesus is worship: not congratulate themselves on having found him, not ask questions, not attempt to get something from him, but offer up themselves to him.”
Their intention was formed before they saw Jesus; they had decided beforehand that they would give themselves to him and hold nothing back.
One of the comments that is often made by the Strictly Come Dancing Judges is that a certain celebrity dancer has left everything on the dancefloor. They mean that a dancer has given everything that they have got to give.
This self-giving is marked by three things:
1 Joy.
When the star leads them to Jesus in Bethlehem they are overjoyed.
They found something beyond their imagining at the end of their journey. These were the type of men who were used to making things happen — opening doors and being the centre of attention — but now they discover life’s true centre — they discover joy.
2 Faith
What did these magi see in Bethlehem? They saw a baby or small toddler — there was no special iridescent light glowing from his brow — Yet they see something special about this child. Why else would they worship — they saw something by faith that the naked eye cannot detect — by faith they recognised that they were in touch with reality — re-centred — re-orientated. They see Jesus as the true King of Israel and the true King of the whole world.
“The theological meaning of Matthews’s star is that every expectation is fulfilled in Christ.” (Fredrick Bruner)
3 Giving
“They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh.” (See Isaiah 60:1–6)
Much has been said about these gifts (Gold for a king, Frankincense symbolising the presence of God, and Myrrh representing death). — perhaps the best thing to say about them is: These were the costliest gifts available and were fit for a king.
It is the third gift that always makes me ponder. Myrrh for a baby. A gift associated with death given to a newborn. How strange! Yet this gift reminds us that Jesus is given to us that he might not only live for us but die for us.
This story reminds us that we have been created to worship.
Jesus, he is never worshipped enough. He is the source, he is the centre of supernaturally dazzling brightness, light, glory and honour. He is God’s indescribable gift, the gift of gifts, all other gifts in one.
“It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.” (CS Lewis)
Preaching at Epiphany helps the preacher exalt Jesus, who is at the centre of the magi’s worship and calls us all to arise and worship the King of Kings.
Photo by Chantal & Ole on Unsplash