Epiphany of the Lord à Praise vs Glorify vs Worship
What is “epiphany?
A: Epiphany (small e) – a sudden perception, insight, or revelation of the essential meaning of something.
It can also mean the appearance or manifestation of a deity.
It is from the Greek word epiphaneia: epi = on or upon + phainein = to appear
Christian Epiphany refers to commemoration of the manifestation of a divine Messiah (Christ) to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi, on the 12th day after Christmas.
Context of today’s Gospel reading…
The Epiphany reading from Matthew is the same each year. It is about the Magi (Wise Men) from the East following the “Star,” meeting with King Herod, finding Jesus in Bethlehem, and then not returning to Herod as promised.
1. A Messiah. There was a heightened expectation that the time of the Messiah was close, not only among the Jews but also among the gentiles/ Romans (A Judean King was to rise up…).
2. The Star. It was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew furthermore draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that a star shall advance from Jacob, although this star primarily refers to the king himself.
“I see him, though not now; I observe him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
3. The Magi. The “Wise Men from the east" were religious advisors that were usually of the wealthy class, experts in the “sciences” (included astrology). "From the east" could mean anywhere from Nabataea, Babylon, Assyria, or Persia, although Persia (modern day Iran) was 1500 miles away).
4. King Herod. Herod was a "client king" of Rome (puppet king). He was Idumean, which means he was half Jewish, half Edomite. He met none of the requirements to be considered a valid king of Judea. Herod tried to win over the Jews with immense building projects throughout Israel, including major expansions to the Temple. However, he was paranoid and crazy, killing his wife and several of his children whom he thought were a threat to his position. Can you imagine how the Magi’s inquiry about the new Messiah King affected Herod?
Reading from Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." (Micah 5:2)
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Q: Why was Bethlehem important besides being Joseph’s home town?
A: It was the home of King David's family.
Q: What was the Old Testament connection between King Herod and Pharaoh?
A: Herod’s consultation with the chief priests and scribes is prefigured by the Jewish tradition about the child Moses in which the “sacred scribes” warn Pharaoh about the imminent birth of one who will deliver Israel from Egypt and, thus, Pharaoh makes plans to destroy him.
Q: What was the star the Magi followed?
A: It may or may not have been an astral phenomenon. A miracle would seem more likely since when was the last time you followed a star to get to someone’s house? It is also worth noting that at times in Jewish scripture the meaning of a star is an angel of God.
Q: What is meant by the Magi prostrating themselves?
A: Such bowing down was generally reserved for deities and not uncommon in pagan times.
Q: What did the gifts from the Magi mean?
A: The bible does not explain but the meaning is not difficult for theologians and most readers to discern:
Gold represented kingship Kingly Messiah
Frankincense represented divinity Priestly Messiah
Myrrh (oil) represented death Suffering Messiah
As we know, many Jews were expecting multiple messiahs because of the varied prophesies. Instead, Jesus was all of them in one.
Q: What reality is captured in the Epiphany regarding God reaching out to Man?
A: The unfortunate reality of God and Man is captured by the God’s reception by the King Herod and His reception by the gentile Magi. Jerusalem had been waiting for so long, and yet when the Messiah came, they were not ready and even rejected him. Yet poor shepherds came and non-Jewish Magi traveled many miles to pay homage.
This reality exists today also. Herod represents mammon and the world at large; and the Magi and Shepherds represent the rest who have taken up the cross.
Q: What is meant by “taking up the cross”?
A: Following God wherever that takes us. No matter the suffering or inconveniences, we will do the right thing, stand up for the right thing, and walk with God.
Conclusion: Part of the prophecy from Isaiah 60:1 says:
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
The star that led the Magi was not just a fancy GPS; it was the light for humanity. The light God promised that shines in the darkness.
What is the darkness? In our modern, first-world lives, we sometimes forget what darkness looks like. Darkness is existence without God: any meaning in our lives goes dark; any purpose to existence is extinguished; the place of mammon that remains is a place of no truth, no justice, and where agape love is for fools. Everything humans hold important are no longer true – justice, love, hope, faith - are merely illusions we hold onto in order to keep our “pretend lives” going until the day we no longer wake up. It’s all for nothing.
Fortunately, we are not sharing a universal illusion but truth. Good does exist and it exists for a reason.
I don’t think thelight which led the Magi to Jerusalem first was a mistake. Jerusalem was supposed to be the recipient of the prophesies. It was their prophecy, their Messiah. The Magi must have been surprised to catch Jerusalem unprepared. Oh vey, off to Bethlehem where they (the Magi gentiles) will be added to the contingent of lowly shepherds as the new beginning of God’s people.
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