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Sunday Sermons
Sermon: 1-6-08, Epiphany
Pastor Phil Lee
Title: "Journey to Homage"
Text: Mt.2:1-12
Theme: journey from birth to death, with a destination of homage to Christ
Introduction
Last August, Carolyn and I made our second journey to Eldoret, Kenya, for a short-term mission trip. Getting there was probably the most difficult journey we have ever made, with many hours of flying time and driving time over roads that were horrendous. The journey was grueling, but we finally got to our destination, and our time there was a blessing. Sadly, we now are witnessing a tragedy unfolding in Kenya, with violence and bloodshed in the aftermath of that country’s disputed presidential election. (Please pray for Kenya, and our friends in Eldoret.)
Most journeys have destinations, and in spite of difficulties along the way, we stay focused on the destination. Education is a journey toward knowledge, training and expertise. And if you have ever been the person paying for someone’s college education, you really know what a long journey that can be! We make journeys to be with loved ones to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. We make journeys to other countries to learn about cultures that are different from our own, to see places we haven’t seen, and sometimes to be in mission.
Point
In the Gospel for this Epiphany Sunday – Mt.2 – we hear that wise men set out on a long journey, looking for the child who had been born king of the Jews. Guided by a star, they ended up in Jerusalem, only to find out that Jerusalem was not their final destination. So, with further guidance from the chief priests and scribes who interpreted Micah’s prophecy, and even a little assistance from Herod himself, the wise men continued on to Bethlehem, where the guiding star stopped. There, in Bethlehem, their final destination, the joyous wise men finally saw the child, and they knelt down offered him gifts. It was a journey to homage.
The journey of the wise men was a long one, but it led them to a blessed destination. And because of this Child of Bethlehem, we, too, are promised a blessed journey and a glorious destination.
All of us began our journey at birth. For most of us, our journey continued as we were baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit as followers of Jesus Christ. Since that time, we’ve all experienced life transitions of many kinds (birthdays, weddings, graduations, childbirths, anniversaries, deaths of loved ones, etc.). Finally, then, we must face our own mortality. And for many, that is considered to be our final destination. But, God says no to that way of thinking, no to that ending, no to hopelessness. God’s Word promises that every follower of Jesus has a “citizenship in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ [who] will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory…” (Phil.3:20-21)
And so we sing that great hymn of the Church, “O Day Full Of Grace” (v.5):
When we on that final journey go, that Christ is for us preparing,
we’ll gather in song, our hearts aglow, all joy of the heavens sharing,
and walk in the light of God’s own place, with angels his name adoring.
Problem
But, as everyone in this room knows, sometimes we get lost along the way. And we share space on this planet with many who are lost right now.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite songs called “Roll Me Away,” by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. (Remember, I’m a child of the Rock n’ Roll era, and I love this stuff!) The song speaks of a journey that many have taken, and many others are on right now:
-Took a look down a westbound road, right away I made my choice.
Headed out to my big two-wheeler, I was tired of my own voice.
Took a bead on the northern plains and just rolled that power on…
-Roll, roll me away, won’t you roll me away tonight
I, too, am lost, I feel double-crossed, and I’m sick of what’s wrong and what’s right…
-Stood alone on a mountain top, starin’ out at the Great Divide.
I could go east, I could go west, it was all up to me to decide.
Just then I saw a young hawk flyin’ and my soul began to rise.
And pretty soon my heart was singin’…
-Roll, roll me away, I’m gonna roll me away tonight.
Gotta keep rollin, gotta keep ridin’, keep searchin’ till I find what’s right.
And as the sunset faded I spoke to the faintest first starlight.
And I said next time, next time we’ll get it right.
Power
But, if we follow the journey of the wise men we won’t be lost. We can get it right this time! And so, let us make our journey of faith to pay homage to our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Let us say, deep within our hearts: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its King…Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!...No more let sin and sorrow grow…He rules the world with truth and grace…”
But, there is one more step on this journey we are making, as Martin Luther wrote when he was reflecting on the meaning of this Gospel: “When the Wise Men received the divine revelation that the king of the Jews was born,” Luther wrote, “they made straight for Jerusalem, for, of course, they expected to find him at the capital in a lordly castle and a golden chamber. Where else would common sense expect to find a king?
‘‘Now the Wise Men . . . were not offended when the king was not born in Jerusalem. They left the Temple [in Jerusalem] and went to the cow stall [in Bethlehem].”
Luther continued: “If we Christians would join the Wise Men we must close our eyes to all that glitters before the world and look rather on the despised and foolish things, help the poor, comfort the despised and aid the neighbor in his need. Do not boast that you have built churches…God will say: ‘What to me are your churches…? I have set before you spiritual temples . . .’
“The Kingdom of Christ is to be found among the lowly and the despised in persecution, misery and the holy cross. Those who seek Christ anywhere else find Him not . . .” (The Martin Luther Christmas Book, R. Bainton)
Conclusion
It was in Bethlehem, their final destination, that the joyous wise men finally saw the Christ child, and they knelt down offered him gifts. It was a journey to homage.
And because of this Child of Bethlehem, we, too, are promised a blessed journey and a glorious destination. So, let us, also, make our journey to homage, and offer gifts to our Lord. Let us offer our own selves, our worship, and true service to our neighbor in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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