Epiphany of Our Lord 2019 C. Mountains, this power of nature idea struck me once again. The area where we usually camp

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Shauna Malone
5 years ago
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1 1 Epiphany of Our Lord 2019 C I am often struck by the power of nature. While on holidays this summer in the Duck Mountains, this power of nature idea struck me once again. The area where we usually camp looks a lot different now than it used to. One of our favorite lakes has been changed because of a beaver dam that has caused the water levels to drop drastically. The lake now holds much less fish and the shore line looks a lot different than it used to a few years ago. The main lake upon which we camp also looks a lot different. Because of an underground spring, which for some reason is putting a lot more water into the lake than it used to, the water levels have risen dramatically. So this summer, I sat there looking out over the water on a windy day and reflected on how powerful nature can be. As the waves came in to shore one by one I couldn t help but be in awe. As each wave crashed against the shore I thought about how that shoreline has changed in the last few years. It now rests a lot higher up than it used to with the beach and the playground area having to be moved with it. As I sat there I also reflected on how nature doesn t really care what humans think. Nature does what nature does..the waves will do what they do. Families come to the lake and then they go, and still the waves crash against the shore. People launch their boats, they swim in the clear water, they enjoy the scenery..they pull fish from the lake, but still the waves crash against the shoreline. Whether people are there or not, water will always do what it does. Well, here we are on Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday. Today we heard the familiar gospel reading of the wise men who came from the East searching for the child who has been born king of the Jews. Perhaps images of a star, wise men holding gifts or a stable come to your mind when you hear this reading. For many people these images are comforting and are a part of the

2 2 regular Christmas story. This story of kings searching for the baby Jesus fills many with wonder and Christmas spirit. But if look at our gospel reading we see that there is a more sinister side to this story..a side that we often choose not to think about. There is no doubt that we think of King Herod as a biblical bad guy. The title is deserved I think because, after all, he tries to have the baby Jesus killed. Herod lies to these wise men by asking them to tell him where this child is so that he too can go and pay him homage. And why does King Herod want this baby killed? It s because the wise men refer to baby Jesus as the king of the Jews. King Herod is king. We may think Herod would feel jealous, threatened or angry, but I think the best way to describe how he felt is the way that the Bible tells us. In verse three we are told that when King Herod heard about this king of the Jews, he was frightened. King Herod was frightened and it wasn t only him that was scared. Verse three ends by saying that he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him. King Herod..any king or queen or leader of a nation, has a lot of power. And as you and I both know, power can easily corrupt the strongest of people. Power can corrupt because once you have power you want more of it. You get used it, you grow to love it, throw it around and abuse it. So for Herod to hear of a rival king of the Jews he is fearful. He now has a potential rival. What will happen to his power? What will happen to his control? By the time of Herod, any form of servant leadership that the prophets of old talked about was long gone..serving, rather than being served, was a thing of the past. The Kings had lost their way..they had become corrupted. The whole nation of Judea had gotten used to the way things presently were, so to hear about a king of the Jews being born, well, no wonder they were all acting out of fear. A new king of the Jews would signal change..change to the life they had gotten used to living. They were God s chosen ones..they were in, and everyone else was out.

3 3 Could the world really be changing? Wise men from the east? Could God s embrace actually be that wide? So King Herod along with his chief priests and scribes conspired to have the cause for their fear killed. It s amazing what fear can do..and this is something that we need to consider on this Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday. The word epiphany means manifestation or to reveal. The baby Jesus was revealed to the world..the king of the Jews, and all nations, was revealed. When we talk about Jesus being revealed to the world, this story with the wise men from the east and King Herod often comes to mind. Many people mention this story in history when they think about Jesus being revealed..but what about today? How and where, and when does Jesus reveal himself to us today? Many people doubt church and religion because they believe Jesus was only revealed back then. It was obvious back then. A star in the sky, wise men, a fearful King Herod..it was obvious that something happened back then. But when you talk about Jesus being revealed to us today, well that is far less obvious. I could talk at length right now about why Jesus reveals himself to us today in less obvious ways. I could talk about how the Holy Spirit fits into all of this, but I think that right now it s more helpful to just say that Jesus still does reveal himself to us today. Each and every one of us has a story..or stories to tell, about how Jesus was revealed to them. Not revealed as in I saw him standing in front of me, but revealed in the way that you felt his presence, revealed in the way that you were comforted or strengthened or lifted up when you needed it the most. That s why I want to talk about fear today. We heard about fear that King Herod, his chief priests and scribes, and all the people of Jerusalem felt..but what about today. We know fear as well. We have all felt it. We have all acted out of fear and we have all dealt with it in

4 4 many different ways. And in the face of that fear we have all had Jesus revealed to us. In surprising ways, in subtle ways and in many different ways, Jesus has revealed himself to us. I have felt it. I have been comforted when the fear of a career change threatened to derail God s plan for me. I was strengthened when the fear of leaving my family for a journey to seminary almost paralyzed me. I have been encouraged when my duties as a pastor threatened to overwhelm me. In these ways, and in many other ways, has Jesus revealed himself to me. I have heard many stories such as these from many of you..about how Jesus has revealed himself to you when you needed it the most. Our world today, just like the world of King Herod s day, is in serious need. We need something, or someone to hold onto, to draw strength from, to give us hope. And so, into this serious need did God give us our remedy. Into the midst of a world where fear is common into the midst of a world where struggle and stress are everywhere..into the midst of a world where people hurt each other every day..into this world was Jesus revealed. And into our own small, private corners of that world we have had Jesus revealed to us. Until that great day when Christ comes again..fear will remain a part of our existence.fear and all the ways that it makes us feel will remain. But into the face of that fear will Jesus always reveal himself. His persistent love will never fail to be there for you. As the waves crash into shore, time after time, will our Savior s love strengthen you and comfort you. And unlike nature which doesn t care what humans do..unlike the force of water which will always do what it does regardless of human activity..our Savior washes us, wave after wave after wave with compassion. As persistent as stress and fear are in our world, the waves of Christ s power are much more so. These waves of forgiveness, comfort, strength and love will persistently wash over you changing your fear into peace..changing whatever trouble you have

5 5 into something better. My brothers and sisters, on this Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday..on this day, and every day, may you feel Jesus revealed into your midst. May you know without a doubt that the greater your need the greater the wave of Christ s compassion will be. As you reflect upon this king..and as you ponder the depths of his love for you, may you never forget to give him thanks..and then, becoming wise with wonder and thankfulness, may you ponder how you might offer this king your gifts. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Long Unexpected Jesus Page 1 of 8

Long Unexpected Jesus Page 1 of 8 Long Unexpected Jesus Matthew 2:1-12 Today is January 6, the church holiday called Epiphany, and it s the official end of the Christmas season. You know the song, The