Fear or Joy, That is the Question

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord offers us a reading which is both familiar and oft overlooked - the story of the magi from Matthew 2:1-12, the gospel appointed for this feast day.  Its characters are familiar since the magi are often part of Christmas pageants and most nativity scenes, yet the actual scene described in this passage is anything but benign.  The central character is actually the murderous King Herod, who will do anything to destroy any who would challenge his sovereignty.  His reaction to the announcement of the newborn king is in stark contrast to that of the magi and is presented for us in vivid detail. The text beckons the question, "What is our reaction to this announcement?  Is this new king seen as threat or as a cause for overwhelming joy?"

(The following method has been developed as a way of answering some of the strategic questions for Law and Gospel preachers.  Specifically this addresses questions around the functioning of the Word. To learn more about this method and Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock. com or amazon.)

1.  How does the Word function in the text?  The Word functions to announce the birth of the new king.  What's interesting is that this announcement is received as pure gospel by some - the magi - and as pure law by others - Herod and "all Jerusalem."  The Apostle Paul, in his Second Letter to the Corinthians (2:14-17), says that we are "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life."  We see this working itself in dramatic fashion in this text.

2.  With whom are you identifying in the text?  This is an interesting topic to consider: if we identify with Herod and the residents of Jerusalem, we will have to admit that Christ's presence threatens everything we hold dear; on the other hand, if we identify with the magi, we will be found praising God with a heart as full of joy as can be known. Perhaps it is wise to identify with both, saints and sinners that we are.

3.  What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text?  It seems to me that the final verse gives us a call to obedience.  The writer tells us that the magi "left for their own country by another road."  We too, once we have worshiped at the foot of the Christ Child need to adjust our ways.  We are called not to return to the ways of Herod, but to follow always in the ways of Christ.

4.  What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? Many options could be considered with this vivid text:  fear/faith; threat/promise; empire/covenant; evil intent/paying homage.

5.  Exegetical work:  The text opens with this brief phrase:  "In the time of King Herod..."  What any historical reading about Herod the Great will reveal is the extent to which Herod went to insure his continued reign.  He was reported to have killed sons, wives, his wife's parents and grandparents, among others.  It is no wonder that when the residents of Jerusalem heard that a new king had been born in Judea that they, along with Herod, were frightened.  They knew all too well what his rage might lead to.  The word translated "frightened" is tarasso, and can better be translated as "disturbed" or "thrown into confusion." One can only imagine the fraught scene in the throne room when the chief priests and scribes threw open the scroll and read that "a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel" was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem.  Undoubtedly Herod knew that Bethlehem was not his birthplace.  As for the magi, their reaction was completely opposite.  They were from the East.  We can only speculate as to which country, but if they knew of this new king, they must have been familiar with ancient Hebrew texts, so one can surmise that they were either from Persia or Babylon, where the Jews had once lived in exile and likely had established a community.  In any case, it is clear that they did not enter Jerusalem asking if a new king had been born, but where, and it was clear that they knew their role to be paying him homage.  It really is marvelous to consider how certain the magi were of this new king and their need to worship him.  An anonymous writer of ancient commentaries said this about the magi:  "They understood that the birth of the king was revealed to them by divine authority... If they had been seeking a king of this world and thus [lowly] had found him, they would have been more perplexed than delighted...They recognized him at once. They opened their treasure chests." (Ancient Christian Commentary on the Scriptures, NT, Vol. 1a, pp. 27-28).

6.  How does the Crossings Community model work with this text?  Archived under this text is a fine sermon, preached by Ed Schroeder, co-founder of the Crossings Community.  It is definitely worth looking at.  Also available is an analysis  by Timothy Hoyer, exploring the theme "Our Heart Always Has a King."  Hoyer challenges us, via the crossings method, to consider life under the reign of Herod, or life under the reign Christ.  See both at crossings.org/text-study.

Blessings on your proclamation!