Sunday 06 January 2008

Background

This is the story of the Epiphany; wise scholars have come toseek the new king.

It is a story of contrasts. There is both light and dark in thispassage. Matthew has already made it quite clear that this is aspecial baby, with an unquestionably noble heritage. Now he istelling another side of the story.

The wise men have seen a star behaving strangely. It is a new star,an unusual enough event, but this one is moving. They come from aculture where stars are very important, and decide it must herald anew king. How important must this birth be if even the stars aretaking notice? They make a commitment to find the king and worshiphim, even though it will be a long journey. They don't even knowwhat they will find at the end.

In contrast there is Herod. He is not impressed with the idea thatthere might be a new king in his patch. He has gone to a great dealof effort and expense to keep his position as ruler in Romanoccupied lands. He is seeking the new king too, but not to worshiphim. He wants rid of him, permanently. He plans to kill him and isnot worried about the consequences. He is not prepared to letanyone take the power he has worked so hard to gain. It doesn'tmatter that the king in question is a tiny baby; Herod is takingabsolutely no risks.

The scholars find the baby, and bow down before him. They don'tseem shocked that this is a humble birth; they don't seem to beconcerned that this king has been born without any of the trappingsof royalty. They bow down, they trust what they believe, they havefaith and act on it. Their faith in stars and prophets is enoughfor them to give great treasures to this mother and child. Theyhave left their homes committed to following their star, andnothing diverts them from this endeavour.

The story reminds us of the light of faith, which is not dependanton race or culture and of the dark corruption which power canbring. The foreigners from the East show faith, the local king iscorrupt.

To Ponder

Are you prepared to trust in faith even when itseems not to make sense?

How committed are you to following Christ when itwould be easier to stay at home and do nothing?

Why are you seeking Jesus? Is it because you wantto bow down and worship him, or do you have some personal agenda inmind?