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

 

 

A Bear Claw

John 6:47-58

 

 

I have two breakfast meetings a week at Panera Bread and always order the same thing… a bear claw with three butters. Heat it up in the microwave and spread the butter so that it melts – it’s heavenly. But no matter how good it tastes, about four hours or so later, I’m hungry again.

 

The passage today follows the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. At this point, people are following him just to eat a meal. But he is trying to open their eyes for them to see that there is something more important than just food and drink.

 

“The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and

will be fit and ready for the Final Day. My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me.”            MSG

 

Jesus was making the point that the people had lost perspective; that their priorities were messed up; that they needed to refocus their lives on eternal values not temporal. Of course we all have basic needs; food, water, clothing and shelter, but in our affluent society our wants can easily begin to feel like needs.

 

The fact is though, instead of prioritizing “the real food and the real drink” we can easily run after a bear claw at Panera. Jesus is calling out to us across the centuries to remind us what is important; he is calling for us to live our lives in him.

 

It would be good for us to remember these words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 6: ^31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these

things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”            NIV

 

Or, in the words of Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

 

It goes without saying but, seeking Jesus is way better than a bear claw; even with melted butter.