Matthew 2:1–12One great thing about following an absolute dipwad, is that you end up on all sorts of wacky mailing lists. . . A packet of materials just arrived from Christian Tools of Affirmation. CTA.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
I believe that the liturgical response to such a load, is “Uff Da!”
We might well ask whether the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were very affirming.
After I thought of that - admittedly, not very affirming - shot, I began to wonder. Continuing down that road, one might suggest that the gifts do affirm the calling Jesus bears as Messiah, as suffering servant, as one who will bring life and salvation through suffering and the cross.
I know that is a sort of pedestrian reading. Sort of common. The “We Three Kings” carol and all. But, it might not be common at all.
How might that be? Where do we go with this wonderful tale?
I like the bulletin cover art from Sundays and Seasons for this week.
Three kings bow before Jesus, (in a manger - oops). The Magi in front looks to be Asian, the middle, maybe Indian? maybe feminine? the third looks African.
This one, whose calling is foreshadowed in the gifts, has come for ALL.
There is much here.
Which path shall we follow?
3 comments:
I don't think the "We Three Kings" approach is a bad one. It might be well appreciated to actually preach the carol instead of the text, or along side it. It seems to me I have done that. I also like the "go home by another road" notion. But what I am most struck by is the contrast between two very different reactions to the suggestion that God might be up to something. The magi are questers, open, looking, (supposedly) and in some ways represent the best of what we can sometimes be. Human nature can soar (that from one with a confirmed shockingly "low anthropology") its just that it doesn't very often or for very long. In contrast is Herod, trembling, nervous, paranoid, and, in the end, doing all he can to resist the intrusion of God (or this rival 'king of the Jews') into his world. Jesus will one day weep over Jerusalem for the rejection he receives from that city. I'm probably more like Herod than the questing magi. I am probably both in certain ways. But, if we were all receptive and open (the soul is restless until it rests in thee, etc) like the magi seem to be (and they do seem to be) this Jesus would have had a much easier time of it.
Thanks PNT
Especially as we begin a new year, resolutions and all having been made and - by now - pretty much broken, there could be rich insight in looking at how we might respond to the in-breaking of God.
I mean that such talk is a part of repentance, a humble pursuit. I find that I must be careful about talk of how we respond to God here.
I think of Forde's line: beware of "ship" words. Talk of stewardship and discipleship usually involves too much talk about the self.
The Magi at first looked in the halls of power. Yet, directed by the Word, they were able to find the ONE there in the humble home in Bethlehem. . .
In following in the footsteps of the Magi, they might be an example in their willingness to continue to Bethlehem. They were not captive to their preconceptions.
They were willing to see the one worthy of homage in this humble child.
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