Tuesday 06 January 2015
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
“When they saw the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed by joy.” (v. 10)
Psalm: Psalm 72
Background
Today is Epiphany, the date in the Church's calendar in whichChristians remember the visit of the wise men from the East topresent gifts to Jesus. The story is found in Matthew's Gospel andshows that this Jewish Messiah has universal significance - hisbirth, life, death and resurrection will affect those of distantlands as well as the people of Israel.
The story is well known, not least from the many Nativities thatschool children acted out in the weeks before Christmas (at mychild's school, aliens were also involved!) The wise men - probablyPersian astrologers - follow a star that comes to rest over thetown of Bethlehem, signalling to them the location of the comingking. Such stargazing was common in the ancient world, even if theJewish scriptures warned against it (
On their way to Bethlehem, the wise men visit Herod the Great,who ruled Judea from 37 BC to AD 4. Herod expresses a wish to payhomage to the new-born king (verse 2), and only later in the storydo the wise men learn of Herod's real intentions in a dream (verse12). On their arrival at Jesus' place of birth, the wise menpresent gifts from their treasure chests to Jesus. These'foreigners' recognise the significance of this birth. Matthew'sGospel also notes that - through his birth in Bethlehem - Jesusfulfils Scriptures that identity the town as the birthplace of thecoming Davidic king (with verse 6 combining a reference to
We see in this passage a clash of worldly power with the gloryof a kingdom that begins with a humble baby's birth. Whereas Herodthe Great sought to kill the infant Messiah, the wise men sought toworship him. The shepherd of Israel is the ruler of the world whoreveals God to all, whether Jew or Gentile (non Jew).
To Ponder
- How does Jesus' humble birth shape your understanding of hismission?
- How might 'outsiders' to the community of faith recognisesomething of Jesus' identity today?
- The wise men brought gifts to Jesus. In what ways do youexpress your thanks for all that Jesus has done?