Epiphany
The feast of Epiphany– A holiday commemorating the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. It is this beautiful reminder that the gift of Christ is one that goes beyond the borders of the Jewish people and has become a gift to all people.
Paul quoting the prophet Hosea writes–
“In order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ” – Romans 9:23–26.
ON THE MAGI
Two common misconceptions.
That there were three Magi.
That the Magi were present in the nativity.
“The Magi were not kings but a combination of wise men and priests probably from Persia. They combined astronomical observation with astrological speculation. They played both political and religious roles and were figures of some prominence in their land.” – Craig Bloomberg
Here are a few examples of what Scripture says about Magi:
Magi or wise men are the antagonists in Daniel’s epic and the reason he is friends with lions. (Daniel 1:20)
Astrology or looking to the skies for divine knowledge is specifically forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:11.
King Saul expells the diviners and astrologers from Israel in 1 Sam. 28:3-9.
Dealings with necromancers and mediums are listed as one of the evil deeds of King Manasseh (2 Kings 21:6).
God’s revelation to the Magi
Revelation in Creation
Revelation in Community
Revelation in Scripture
Revelation in Incarnation
God has always looked like Jesus, there has never been a moment in which God did not look like Jesus, and there will never be a moment in which God will not look like Jesus.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.“ –Hebrews 1:1–3
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” –Matthew 5:17
ON HEROD THE GREAT
“The birth of Jesus was a dangerous claim that Caesar nor Herod were truly kings of the world or of the Jews. Jesus [is always] a political threat.” – CJ Rhodes
TWO DIFFERENT RESPONSES
The sad story of Herod is that any one of us is capable of inconceivable evil in the name of self-interest and insecurity. But, in an unexpected twist the Magi, pagan in every way, become the vision of the faithful acceptance of the christ child, “departing to their own country by another way” (Matt. 2:12; emphasis added).
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
What part of Jesus, what part of the Gospel have I, like Herod, taken as a threat instead of an invitation from God in my life?”