Matthew 2:1-12
Our gospel reading is one that generates a lot of speculation; the entire account of Jesus' birth has captured imaginations and attempts to fill in the perceived gaps in the account. Our reading also contains facts that we need to explore as well.
The facts:
The Magi traveled from the east following a star perhaps as far as a thousand miles or more. They went to Jerusalem the capital and then on to Bethlehem. The star came to rest over the place where the child was. The Magi worshipped the child and offered gifts.
Herod the Great was the king of Israel. Herod was a cruel paranoid tyrant who had no regard for human life. Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David thus many Jews hated him as a usurper.
When Herod was asked about the newborn king of the Jews, he was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him. Herod was troubled that if the true heir to David's throne appeared he may be deposed. All of Jerusalem was troubled because when Herod was upset people died.
The Magi were warned not to return to Jerusalem so they went to their homelands by a different route.
Luke and Matthew vary on who came first to see the newborn king. Luke's account has the shepherds arriving first. In Matthew we read the Magi arrive first. Regardless those who should have arrived first, the chief priests, didn't even make the trip.
The chief priests knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah. The religious leaders believed in a literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, they believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. When Jesus was born they failed to recognize him and later became his greatest enemies.
The speculation:
In efforts to find a scientific basis for the account astronomers have offered that the star the Magi followed was a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars calculated to have occurred in 6 B.C.
Some scholars have offered that the star was an angel or angels. Stars don't move as described in the text. In Job the stars sang a vague association with angels (38:7) and in Revelation1:20 stars are specifically described as angels (1:20). So there are other places in scripture where an angel is called a star.
Thoughts vary on the origin of the Magi. The Magi came from Parthia a strong empire to the east. The Magi came from different lands.
To explain why they followed the star; the Magi knew to follow the star because they were Jewish descendants knowledgeable about scripture.
If the Magi were from Parthia and of Jewish decent then they would welcome a king that could swing the balance of power away from Rome.
We could go for hours talking about other theories concerning the birth of Jesus. So let's look at what we can learn from this reading.
First, it's our human nature to want to know the facts. The higher our education level the harder we try to fill in the perceived gaps. Our fallible human reasoning presumes there is more to know. Our infallible Lord tells us everything we need to know about the living and the dead. Whatever He has decided not to tell us we should trust it was not necessary, useful or good for us to know at that time, or perhaps ever.
In the appointed Epistle reading for today, Ephesians 3:1-12, Paul writes about the revelation that the Gentiles are included in God's plan of grace. This was information that was revealed when the time and place was appropriate for God to fulfill His plan. This was not revealed to the chief priests in accord with their needs or timeframe, because it confounded the learned men of the religious leadership.
Second, dead faith is real. The religious leaders knew all of the prophecies but couldn't recognize the fulfillment of the prophecies. It took Magi from a distant land to recognize the Christ child and worship Him. Dead faith is not open to the wonders of God's plan it's just going through the motions. We need to be careful we don't fall into that trap
Third, experience true worship. The Magi brought gifts and worshiped Jesus for he who was. True worship is honoring Christ for who he is and being willing to give him what is valuable to us. Worship God because he is perfect, just, and the almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best we have to give.
Fourth, finding Jesus may mean that your life may take a different direction. After finding Jesus the Magi were warned not to return through Jerusalem. Finding Jesus may mean that your life takes a different direction.
All four lessons can be summed up in living a life that is responsive and obedient to God. That may mean that your life takes a different direction as you are enlightened to the true nature of Jesus Christ.
Are you willing to be led in a different direction?
