For Epiphany - Three Bows

Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; Matthew 2:1-12

Merry Christmas. It is still the Christmas season, and we celebrate the arrival of Jesus into the world. But for the early Christians, Christmas never arrived. The holiday was not celebrated nor fixed until the fourth century. Instead, the early Christians celebrated most wholeheartedly an event that they considered even more important – Epiphany, the day that people first worshipped Christ. Two events come together during Epiphany, which is officially on Tuesday, January 6.

First of all, it is the day when the Magi visited the Holy Family and first worshipped Jesus.

Epiphany also celebrates the baptism of the Lord, which we usually celebrate the Sunday after Epiphany, or January 11 this year. It is when the Holy Spirit landed on Jesus, and John pointed Him out.

Today, our readings cover the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem and the family. The Magi, for that is the Greek word used in our readings, were a group of Babylonian “wise men”, perhaps even the descendants of the same order that Daniel and his three friends belonged to. Although the word “Magi” is the root of our word “magic”, they were not magicians, but did study astronomy and probably astrology as well, for those two disciplines were mixed in those days. They arrived traditionally in Jerusalem while the Holy Family is still in Bethlehem, but not necessarily on the same night the child was born.

According to the original Greek text, by the time they arrive, Mary and Jesus are now in a house – not a stable or cave – and there is no mention of Joseph, who was apparently not around at the time. Because of this, and Herod’s soon-to-follow order which slaughtered all male children under age two in Bethlehem, many commentators think that Mary and Jesus were staying in Bethlehem on another, later trip, perhaps two years later. Joseph may have gone into Jerusalem, which was only about a 4 mile hike, for he very soon returns, has a dream, and takes the family to Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter. They stayed there until Herod died a couple of years later.

But let’s go back to the Magi. We often think of there being three, but the text doesn’t say how many Magi there were. In the Eastern Christian churches, the holiday is often celebrated with twelve Magi. Our assumption of only three Magi comes from the three gifts and from a story composed around the year 500 who even gives names to the three Magi. For those of you who love to decorate with a manger scene, you have my permission to put as many Magi as you want near the Christ Child.

But let’s look at what is terribly important about the Magi of Babylon.

First, they were acknowledged as wise by all the people of the Middle East. Their science and wisdom combined to give them great respect. People looked up to them and they were very devoted to reading prophecy and, after Daniel’s influence, listening for God’s guidance. If you have never read the Book of Daniel, let me suggest that you do so, for it will give you some insight into these men of Babylon. These men were considered the wisest men of the day – and they worshipped Jesus. We would do well to consider their example – look at who in this world you consider wise – and ask them what they think of Christianity. Do you admire Billy Graham or Pope Francis? It seems that overall, Christianity follows wisdom.

Around this time, if these men were truly of Daniel’s order, they would have been very alert. You see, Daniel had several prophecies. One was prophesied that there would be several kingdoms, ending in a kingdom that never died and filled all the earth. Another prophecy spoke of a great leader. Another spoke of 70 “weeks”, which many people took – and take – to mean 7-year periods. The timing was right – It was time for the great leader to arrive and found His kingdom. Messiah would arrive soon.

And then the star appeared. This star – it has been debated throughout the ages whether it was a comet, a supernova, or the coming together of several planets to form a single bright point in the sky. It doesn’t matter which method God used – or whether God chose another method such as sending an angel with a searchlight – the star led them from the east to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, to the house where Mary and Jesus were.

And when they arrived, they bowed down and gave Mary and Jesus gifts.

I like to think that there were three bows – one for each gift.

The first gift was gold. Gold is the gift that you give an earthly king, for an earthly king hires soldiers, buys arms, and builds an army with gold. A good earthly king also gives gold generously to the people in the country who most need it. A king has great need of gold. And by giving this gift and bowing before Christ, the Magi acknowledged that Jesus was king of this world, worthy to lead them in their lives.

Will you bow down before Jesus and accept Him as your earthly King?

The second gift was frankincense, the resin of a tree which grows beside the Indian Ocean in the countries of Oman and Yemen. Burning frankincense made the air smell sweet. It was a gift the Magi gave to a god, for frankincense was burned in temples throughout the Middle East. By giving this gift and bowing before Christ, the Magi acknowledged that Jesus was their God, of divine knowledge and power, worthy to be trusted with the control of the Universe far above mortal men and women.

Will you bow down before Jesus and accept Him as your God?

The third gift was myrrh, once more the resin of a tree. But the use of myrrh was different than frankincense. Myrrh was sprinkled in the mummy wrap of a dead body. It removed the smell of death. It was seen as helpful to convey the dead into a new life. By giving this gift and bowing before Christ, the Magi acknowledged that Jesus was in control of even death itself, capable of bringing dead people into a new life. The Magi accepted Jesus’ control over the destination of their very souls.

Will you bow down before Jesus and accept His decisions about your eternal soul?

Each bow that the Magi made was completely voluntary. Mary did not have any way to compel these well-educated, wise men who had braved thousands of miles through the desert to do her bidding. When they bowed down, it was because they had read the prophecies, they had studied the signs, they had debated the possibilities, and they had come to their conclusion – The baby was so great they must bow before Him three times.

You will notice that none of these three bows are partial. A man is either your king – or not. You either accept a god or not. You cannot trust a person with partial control over your soul.

The Magi bowed completely and fully. They worshipped the child. And then, when they left, they did not betray Him. They returned to their homes, having done what was required of them.

The Magi based much of their view of Jesus upon prophecy. Our first reading gives another prophecy – a prophecy which I believe was fulfilled within the last hundred years and is still being fulfilled. Let us look at that reading from Jerimiah again:

7 This is what the Lord says:

“Sing with joy for Jacob;
shout for the foremost of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say,
‘Lord, save your people,
the remnant of Israel.’
8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north
and gather them from the ends of the earth.
(Does this remind you of those Jews who lived in Germany – and in Russia, and the Ukraine today?)

"Among them will be the blind and the lame,
expectant mothers and women in labor;
a great throng will return.
9 They will come with weeping;
they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,
and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
‘He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—
the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more.
13 Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
and my people will be filled with my bounty,”
declares the Lord. (NIV)

Those of you that have witnessed the Jews return from their exile in Europe and Russia to their homeland of Israel – can’t you feel their happiness? They now stand on the heights of Zion – in the city of Jerusalem – from which they were banished 1900 years ago after the destruction of the city by the Romans. After the Romans banished the Jews, they moved throughout the world, a homeless people, living in many different countries, but always as outsiders. And then, at first in 1895 as a trickle, then in a flood after World War II and a torrent as the Soviet Union fell, the Jews returned home. The prophecy is fulfilled – Israel is surrounded by poor nations, but it is a prosperous place.

But there is a deeper meaning to this prophecy – as in most prophecies, there are layers upon layers involved. It is a prophecy which affects us.

In the beginning, there was a family which disobeyed God and was sent out from that family’s home. The family was led by Adam and Eve, and eventually their descendants were scattered across the earth. That family is the entire family of humans. It is our family.

Since the arrival of Jesus Christ, a remnant of them has returned. Over the centuries, at first a trickle, then a flood, and then a torrent of people have accepted Jesus Christ as their king, their God, and their guide to a new life, and He has led them home, back to the mountain of joy where Adam began, the spiritual mountain which being close to God demands.

Look at verse 11. We have been delivered from one stronger than ourselves, the devil which brought us into sin.

Now check out verse 12. Did you notice that this verse mentions the bounty of the Lord: the grain, the new wine and the olive oil? The grain is made into bread which becomes is the Body of Christ. Wine is drunk which is the blood of Christ, and olive oil is used for the anointing of those who need to be made whole. These ordinary things – grain, wine, and olive oil – in the presence of God become holy things, possessed with spiritual power, items which give us new life and sustain that life. And, of course, to those who believe and remember, God’s presence is always here. Do you remember God’s Holy Son whenever you eat bread or drink the fruit of the vine? Do you remember God’s Holy Son who was anointed with fragrant oil whenever you smell olive oil cooking? Do you remember the great deeds He did for you?

Finally, view verse 13. Because of those great deeds, when a Christian dies who has suffered in his or her life, we are glad. Our mourning turns into gladness. We have comfort and joy instead of sorrow, for the Lord can be trusted. God can be trusted.

How do I know?

Because He trusted us so much God sent God’s own Son to earth to be raised by a young girl and a carpenter. He trusted us so much He trusted the growth of His church to people. He trusted us so much He did not keep us from the earth, even after we broke His trust by disobeying God in the garden.

I don’t know about you, but I have generally found that those who trust can be trusted, while those who never trust cannot be trusted. Our own soul reflects in that manner. A thief suspects everyone of thievery, while a good person trusts everyone until proven otherwise. God can be trusted.

And now we must learn to trust God.

You see, that’s what bowing is all about. When you bow down before someone, you are demonstrating that you trust that person with your very life. In a society where swords and knives are everywhere, such as the society of the ancient Middle East, bowing down is the ultimate act of trust. That knowledge – that fear - is in our genes. And so there are few people in our society to whom we would voluntarily bow. But God is not of our society. Jesus is not a visitor to our world – we are visitors in His world.

Shall we bow down to Jesus like the Magi of old?

Come to the altar and bow if you wish during our Holy Communion. It is a good way to start the New Year. This year – give yourself completely to the One who was and is and is to come. Give your life completely to Jesus and let His will control your life. Bow three times to the king of this life, the God of the Universe, and the One who leads you into new life.

Come to the altar during our song.

Radiant Morning Star, Holy Son of God,
you are both guidance and mystery,
Visit our rest with disturbing dreams,
and our journeys with strange companions.
Walk us across the deserts of life,
as we struggle to follow you and find meaning in our lives.
Bring us to your mountain home,
Left us never rest too long on the way,
Grace us with the hospitality
to open our hearts and homes
to visitors filled with unfamiliar wisdom
bearing profound and unusual gifts.
In turn, guide us to recognize You for Who you are,
that we may bow at your feet,
And give our gifts to you,
Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. (Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary, Vanderbilt.edu.)

Amen.