We reflect on Jesus' Kingship in our time together as we look at the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2. This week holds the traditional celebration of their visit on Epiphany (January 6), which will mark the end of the 12 Days (and thus Season) of Christmas.
Matthew draws our attention to several comparisons: the magi seek the new King in order to worship Him; Herod seeks the child in order to destroy Him. Jesus is born King, as decreed by God and manifest in the universe; Herod gains the position through manipulation and violence. The magi are quintessential outsiders, yet they are the ones who know first that the new King is on His way. Herod is the ultimate insider who rejects Jesus (He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him - John 1:11). Herod's rejection of the new King foreshadows the rejection Jesus will experience in His ministry, leading to His crucifixion.
The overarching lesson of today, however, is found in how the magi and Herod compare in their pursuit and application of information. This lesson for us strikes at the heart of our "religion." Why do we do things like listen to sermons and read our bibles? Does it increase our feeling of control over important things, a mastery of knowledge about them? Does it make us feel good about ourselves for doing what we consider to be the right thing? Or does it send us to our knees in worship, as the magi teach us to do. The most learned of their culture, they sought information from the stars, from Herod, from scripture itself solely to enable them to kneel before the King and worship Him. Let us do the same.
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