On a Mission

A meditation on Epiphany
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 2:1-12 

[The definition of epiphany is “the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi”. During the first century, the church debated what Gentiles needed to do in order to find a place in the church. Paul affirmed their place in his letter to the Colossians.]

“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”               Colossians 1:27 NLT

  

For Christmas, we made plans to arrive at our daughter’s house about 9:30 am. By the time we packed the presents plus the food, our car was very full. Although it’s only about a twelve-minute drive to their house, we were running a little bit late. Not much, just a little.

 

However, apparently at 9:32 our grandson turned to his parents and said, “They’re late”! It’s not that he was worried about us, but he was on a mission to open ALL of his presents as SOON as possible! In the same way, the magi were on a mission.

 

According to my ESV study Bible, the magi were likely Persian priests who used astrology to understand and predict future events. Also, if they came from Babylon, it would have taken them at least six weeks to get to Jerusalem. But they were on a mission to find the baby who was born king of the Jews.

 

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, King Herod soon learned about their mission. He was “deeply disturbed” by this news, and consulted the Jewish priests and teachers of the law. You see, Herod was on a mission too, but his was quite different. Instead of worshiping the king of the Jews, he wanted to eliminate him.

 

When the religious leaders told Herod where the Messiah was to be born, he in turn, told the magi. He instructed them to go find the child, and when they did, to come back and let him know so that, “I too may go and worship him”.

 

^9-11 The wise men listened to the king and then went on their way to Bethlehem. And now the star, which they had seen in the east, went in front of them as they travelled until at last it shone immediately above the place where the little child lay. The sight of the star filled them with indescribable joy. So they went into the house and saw the little child with his mother Mary. And they fell on their knees and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts—gold, incense and myrrh.                        NLT

 

The magi were on a mission to find the king of the Jews. They were willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their mission. They invested their time, talent and treasure. They risked their lives by disobeying Herod’s direct instructions.

 

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to find the Messiah? To worship him? To bring him your gifts of time, talent and treasure? Are you on a mission this Christmas? This year of 2023?

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams