Epiphany

We are still in the Christmas season. On the night that Jesus was born the shepherd visited the baby Jesus is the manger. Now sometime after the birth of Jesus, the Maggie from the east visit Jesus who is now in a house in Bethlehem. These Maggie belong to a Median tribe called the “the magoi”. They can be considered magicians belonging to a sacred caste. They had conformed to the Persian religion yet retained some of their old beliefs. They were pagans. Basically they were astrologers.

            Today our reflection is on the theme, “Jesus Christ-the manifestation of God”. The Maggie, they were not Jews, they didn’t know who Jesus was, yet the only fact they knew “a star appeared” it meant a king was born. And all they wanted was to see him. Through their eagerness to see this new born king, Jesus Christ is made manifest to Herod and the whole of Jerusalem. Even the chief priest and the teachers of the law who knew this truth were silent about it.

How true of the Christian life that you live. Paul says that God’s grace has been given as a gift (Eph 3:7). Even receiving that Grace today many live as people who don’t want to accept and live by the truth. That is because there is no personal encounter with Jesus. That is something we need to seriously think of. Look at the attitude you have when you come to worship, look at the way you behave when you come to worship, look at the way you are attired when you come to worship. Look at how you participate in the worship. What was your preparation you had to come and sit in the presence of God. In most cases it is like the teachers of the law. Mat 2:5,6. And then to ask, so what? No genuine intention to see Christ and to encounter him.

So what happens when these Maggie encounter Jesus in their lives?  This encounter is a face to face encounter. They respond by honouring him. They do this by opening their treasure. Treasure is kept in a casket, where valuables are kept safe. They open that and each brings out a gift to be presented to Jesus.

The first Gold, which has the highest purchasing power and signifies royalty. They give of their purchasing power to honour a king. To part with such a valuable gift is a sacrifice. It means what they had would reduce. Yet it is for a king. This morning what is it that you consider valuable? What is it that you have which has the power to purchase, which can make you comfortable?

How much do you give your God every month? 1000/- of 10,000? Keep back 500? Will we give up working on Sundays. No overtime. No extra money. Work, tuition, weather all become excuses. Not bold enough to trust Christ. Give, he will bless, he will not leave or forsake.

Giving a little here and there, coming to worship when you can, giving of your time when possible, is equal to giving a beggar. Jesus is not a beggar in need, he is a King. What your giving should be fit for a king. The widows offering – misrepresent. Total dependence on God.

The second is frankincense. Frankincense is used for incense. The OT has a lot of rituals for which it is used. Incense is associated with the offering of prayer. Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3-4. Prayer as a gift to Jesus. Yes. Prayer no just in the morning and in the night. Today we will communicate with many people through our phones and the many groups we are involved in, but prayer as a gift to God is becoming less. Today the treasure trove of many does not have prayer in it. Prayer is a necessity for our life. It signifies his divinity. To live without prayer is like living on a life support. It will let you live but not let you experience all what God has willed for you.  And today this is connected with all religions.

Myrrh is an aromatic and costly perfume. In the form of a gum it is used in incense. It also has medicinal powers. Myrrh was used to embalm the body of Jesus. So this gift was something sweet, smells nice. The third gift which we honour the king is your life.

2 Cor 2:15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

And why are we to do that? Because the bible tells us and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:2

 In this world is your life a sweet smelling aroma that reflects Christ. Are your thoughts, are your attitudes, your words, your behavior, your commitment smelling of Christ. That is the gift of sacrifice you are called to give to honour the king. It was a significant to the life that he was going to live. Signifies his healing power or his suffering.

Gifts are not coerced, it is not asked for but it is given out of a free nature. Here it is offered as an expression of honour. Gifts given to honour the king of the Jews. This morning are you ready to open your treasure boxes and give the king of kings and the Lord of Lords, the one who sits upon the throne in majesty gifts that will honour him? Or are you still going to only give him charity?

Finally the encounter of the Maggie made them obedient to God’s plan. They were warned not to go in the same path they came but in a different path. When God is manifested, and you encounter him, you are obedient to him. The is the highest gift you can give your king. And in this new year, especially when we have said “I am not mine but yours Lord” should our lives reflect that we belong to God. Not name sake like the teachers of the law and the chief priests, but those who really allow God to control their lives.

            So Christmas becomes the time when we honour Jesus, the manifestation of God, who came into this world for everyone’s liberation. He is a precious gift God has given this world. How much more should we honour him with our lives.