Epiphany

One of the events, in the early life of Jesus, that we tend to gloss over, is the Epiphany.  At the time of Christ’s birth, there was a universal feeling that a King, or some very influential person was about to enter the world. Many historians have written about this phenomenon which occurred in manuscripts found in Egypt to the far East.  These ancient people relied heavily on astronomy, and the movement of the stars and planets. It was a reliable, and unchanging entity in an otherwise uncertain world. We can’t be sure what the star, comet or planet was that appeared, but we do know that folks took note of it. To them it was a undeniable sign that something was out of whack, and must be of major significance.  The Magi, or wise men, were educated fellows from the East.  They may have started out as kings, but had been ousted from their thrones by invading nations.  Luckily, because they understood the movement of the cosmos, they were kept around as advisors to the new rulers.  The strange “star” formation had not slipped their attention.  In fact, they too, were anticipating this unknown King’s arrival. Their long, dangerous journey led them first to murderous  King Herod, to make a required social call, and to find out about the whereabouts of the new regal. Herod consulted with his “wise guys“ or scribes, men with uber-head knowledge of all things Jewish, they relayed the  scripture prophecy, with indifference, then sent them on to Bethlehem.  Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!" Matthew 2:8.  We know that hatred and jealousy filled his entire being, as he devised the heinous plot to assassinate the interloper. “After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11.  Can you imagine this scene?  The humble family, living in less than opulent surroundings, opens their door to the sight of these grand, gift-bearing visitors. And what gifts they were. Gold, the gift one would bring to honor a king; frankincense a rare and costly perfume that was used by priests serving at the altar of God; and myrrh another precious spice, but this one used in the burial process.  Interesting, isn’t it, that the gifts were perfectly selected for Jesus; King, Priest and the one who would die in atonement for human sin. Now, go back to the reactions of the 3 main characters, when they were told about Jesus, all of us fall into one of the categories.  Herod; seething hatred.  The scribes; “religious“, but unconcerned and apathetic.  The Magi; bowed down and worshiped him.  Honestly ask yourself, “How do I respond to Jesus; hatred,indifference or bowing down to him in worship ?”