Epiphany reading: Matthew 2:1-12
First, who were the Magi? They were wise men from east – but we don’t know where. They would have been knowledgeable of religion, philosophy, and the sciences, including astrology and astronomy (“magi” is also where our word “magician” comes from). In other words, the Magi were likely high level advisers to their King. They seem to have been well aware of the Hebrew Messianic prophecies, which is what led them to Jerusalem. Some believe they came from Nabataea, which was east of the Jordan River and south towards Egypt. The Magi probably had to convince their own king of the importance of this prophecy in order to be given leave to make this journey, and therefore they may well have come bearing gifts on behalf of that king. Btw, the Nabateans were also well known traders, especially in gold and frankincense. Additionally, during the Babylonian Exile 500 years prior, many Jews escaped to Nabataea and mixed with the Nabateans, which may be where their knowledge of Hebrew Scripture came from.
Today’s story begins with the Magi following some extraordinary Star. It appears the Star led them in the direction of Jerusalem, which made sense because that is where they would expect to find the new King. However, the star must not have been visible when they neared Jerusalem or they would have turned left towards Bethlehem, which was 5 miles to the south. (The Star reappears later.)
It is important to understand King Herod, who by this time had been king of Judea for 37. Although he was technically a Roman puppet king, he was unpredictable and crazy. Even the Romans knew that. He was famous for his paranoia and even murdered several of his own family members because he felt they were a threat. He was also known for his massive construction projects (he had lots of tax money), one of which was a 40-year expansion of the Temple in Jerusalem. The reason was that Herod was continually trying to build his legitimacy among the Jews. Why? Because he wasn’t from the line of Judah, which was required of the Jewish rulers. In fact, Herod was half Idumean, which was from the line of Esau, not Isaac. Given this background, you can imagine when the Magi showed up in Jerusalem looking for the new King of the Jews, Herod probably had a near aneurysm. (It should also be no surprise that later, when the wise men did not return from Bethlehem, he sent men there to kill all the children under two years of age.)
So, Herod calls the Temple priests and scribes together and asks them about this prophecy. They confirmed that a Messiah has been prophesied and, although they didn’t know exactly when, they did know that he was to be born in the birthplace of Kind David: Bethlehem. Sly old Herod told the Magi to go look for this Messiah in Bethlehem, and then report back to him so he could go worship him also.
When the Magi departed Jerusalem, the Star reappeared over Bethlehem! Amazingly, it somehow led them directly to the house Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were in. (Notice they were in a house now. When they arrived earlier – when Mary gave birth – all the Jews had to return to their home town for the census decreed by Rome. That probably caused Bethlehem to be overcrowded, which is why they were originally in a stable.) The Magi immediately fell down and worshiped Jesus, which kind of stands out from how Herod and the Jews will greet the Lord. The meaning here is significant, like a giant proclamation to the whole world: the Temple religious leaders and Jerusalem’s rulers were not going to accept the Messiah God finally sent them; and so God uses this time in history to begin turning outwards towards the Gentiles.
The gifts the Magi left gave the Holy Family were also significant. The gift of gold is usually reserved for kings, confirming Jesus is the Kingly Messiah. Frankincense is burned by the priests in the Temple, confirming Jesus is the Priestly Messiah. Myrrh is a kind of oil used for embalming bodies after they die. This confirmed Jesus was not only the Suffering Messiah, but would die. – another epiphany. Although many Jews believed these would be two, or possibly three, different Messiahs, nobody expected they would all be the same person. Yet another epiphany.
Next week: the entire Trinity appears in one place!
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