Epiphany
06 January
2019 –
Matthew
2:1-12
“Before
& After”
O God, by
the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles.
Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine
presence;
What is man’s condition before and after Christ? Consider the Magi.
Their lives were changed. What has happened to you? Before and after you have
considered this baby. Born for us. For those touched by Christ, like the Magi,
there is a before and an after.
I. Before…
A. Before they came to
Bethlehem. “They went their way” (Vs.
9) Why are they called “wise”? They were more than men who studied the stars.
History has called them wise because they made a quest for God.
Today men are wise if they seek God in Christ. The foolish ones of
this world seek other things — power, prestige, possessions.
B. Before we are
confronted with Christ we too can be tempted to go our own way in life
following our own agendas, plans and directions. We find ourselves in a New
Year. What would you determine to do this year in 2019? Is Christ a part of
your future? Wise Men follow guidance. They saw a result of humble acceptance
of guidance; they reached the Christ-child. Moreover, Wise Men then and now
worship the King.
Transition: There was life before these
Wise Men confronted Christ? – There was life after they met Him.
II. After
A. The Magi came to the
child Jesus, worshiped, and gave gifts. We can see two kinds of worship. The
one is a false worship based upon insincerity. Herod told the Wise Men to seek
after the child, “that I too may come and
worship him” (v. 8).
Out of fear for his position, Herod wanted to know where the new
King was born. Today worship can be a guise for evil intentions. Or at least,
we can become so easily distracted. CS Lewis remarks “all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise.” Yet, what is
the object of our praise?
He continues, “The world
rings with praise—lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite
poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite
game—praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges,
countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps,
rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars.”[1] In this New Year, may our focus be upon
Christ. As the apostle Paul would remind us, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him
crucified.” – 1 Corinthians 2:2
B. On the other hand,
there is true worship practiced by the Wise Men: “They fell down and worshiped Him.” Even these gifts, which they
offer says something concerning your Savior. These gifts were meaningful, full
of symbolism: Gold because He was a king. With gold they confess His royalty.
Frankincense - because He was a priest offering the perfume of prayer. With
incense they proclaim His deity. With
myrrh, His priestly sacrifice. Myrrh - because He was a redeemer. Who died to
save the world. He alone will go to the bloody cross. There - He will suffer
and die for you. In exchange for your sin He offers His perfection. His beauty
replaces the ugliness of your sin. His innocence replaces your guiltiness and
culpability.
Mark the prophecy – “By His
stripes you are healed.” –Isaiah 53:5 “He
committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled,
he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but
continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our
sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to
righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:23-24
Transition: The Wise Men’s lives were
changed from before to after they had met the Christ child. How does this
confrontation play out in your life today?
3. For you today.
A. When you bow down in
worship before Christ, life is never the same again. No, the same challenges,
failings and frustrations of the past year might still be yours today. But you
have a connection with a Savior who has borne your iniquities and carried your
sorrows. You need not strive with Him. His desire is to carry you – and
accompany you along this life’s journey. Will you walk with Him this
season?
B. Christ makes the
difference in your life. These men had their lives changed. – They had
encountered the Christ. – This is what made them wise. – They were humbled in
the presence of Christ. And offered to Him their treasures gifts and praise.
Just what is the difference in your life? At Christmas we receive
the gift of God in Jesus. Epiphany is the time for believers to give a return
gift to God by presenting gifts to Christ, as the Wise Men did. It is
noteworthy that the Wise Men gave their gifts as a part of their worship.
Giving something to God when we worship is a vital part of
worship. It is an expression of faith and love. It is an offering of gifts to
God in gratitude for the gifts we receive in faith.
Note the price of the gifts the Wise Men offered — nothing cheap:
“Opening their treasures they offered Him
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (v. 11). What can you offer to the One
who has everything? You offer yourself.
On mine heart imprint Your image
Blessed Jesus, King of grace,
That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures
Never may Your work erase;
Let the clear inscription be;
Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope’s foundation,
And my glory and salvation.[2]
____________
Words-985
Passive Sentences-2%
Readability –78.5%
Reading Level-4.2
Image “The Visit of the Magi” © WELS by Schnorr
von Carolsfeld, Baron Julius, 1794-1872; German painter; trained principally at
Vienna and Rome; earlier work shows influence of Duerer; later joined the
classicists; became associated with Cornelius, Overbeck, Schadow, and Veit;
later work in style of Renaissance; distinguished especially for his
"Bible in Pictures," fill of creative power.
[1] Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 94.
[2] On
my heart insert Thy image Lutheran Service Book ©2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
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