Image from agnusday.org
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)
Christmas is not over. It ends with Epiphany, which is the 6th of January. That is the day attributed to the visit of the Magi, or kings, who visited the Christ child. This is their account as told by Matthew. Their visit is not mentioned in Luke, nor in any other gospel. Matthew's gospel was written primarily for a Jewish audience and Matthew's desire was to confirm to his own people, that Jesus was the fulfillment of all prophecy and thus, the Messiah that Israel awaited.
We know the story of these wise men from the East. They were not necessarily Jews; they were educated men, who awaited the fulfillment of prophecies they had heard about and knew, and as this star appeared in the sky, they followed it. Their first stop was at the wrong place. They naturally assumed the birth of a king would be in the palace and thus a stop in Jerusalem. The king there did not want to hear that a new king had been born, for this man, Herod, had killed even his own son and other relatives to protect his throne. So, naturally, Herod wanted to know where this child was and lies about why. His motives were not to pay the child homage, but to murder him. The magi leave Herod and again, led by the star, find the child Jesus. We believe there were several, but since their gifts were only three, tradition holds that the magi were only three men. The gifts were symbolic of the child's future: Gold, the only gift suitable for a king, and we hold Jesus as the King of kings, and Lord of Lords; frankincense, the gift for a priest, and we hold Jesus as the "bridge" between God and man, which is what the word priest means. Myrrh, a gift for embalming the dead; used to symbolize the death of Jesus. Then, led by the Holy Spirit in a dream, they returned home "by another road."
Epiphany is a day to celebrate the unveiling or realization of God's love for all people, not just the Jews. That these men from outside of the Jewish faith would come to worship God's Son is an example for believers that the Gospel is for all the world. We can still be led by God, and as we obediently follow His Son, Jesus, we can find that we too, can serve the purposes of God's kingdom.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to my heart and my spirit. Let me be led by Thee today in all things. I want to be faithful and fruitful. I want to serve You in all things and all ways. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a bearer of gifts for Jesus in all you say, think, and do today.
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Requests: Please hold Ms. Libby Grimes in your prayers. She is Jane Boothe's sister, who lives in Longview, TX, and is failing health. Pray God's will be done and that His comfort be with Jane and all her family. Prayers for those having surgery today; God knows who they are. Prayer Update: Donna Hisey's surgery went well and she is recovering at home, thank God! And thank you dear friend for your faithful prayers.
