Matthew 2:1-12 Psalm 72:1-19 Isaiah 60:1-6 January 8, 2017 Pastor Dave Bolte How much do you know about stars? Not Hollywood stars; but stars in the sky? Here are some interesting facts about stars: The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is 93,000,000 miles away. After the Sun in our Solar System, the nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri. It is so far away from us, that even if you had the newest and fastest space engine available today it would still take you 75,000 years to get there! Earth is in the Milky Way Galaxy, and astronomers says that there are up to 400 billion stars in our Milky Way Galaxy alone. The largest star discovered is called VY Canis Majoris is 1,800x bigger than the Sun. Stars do not actually twinkle. They only appear to twinkle due to turbulences in the Earth's atmosphere deflecting the light that reaches our eyes. When you look up into the sky, astronomers say that some of the stars you can see are 20 quadrillion miles away, at least. That s 20,000,000,000,000,000! The stars in the universe certainly show you how powerful, great, and majestic God the Creator is! It s no surprise that the God Who created the heavens and earth would choose a majestic star to reveal His Son to the world! God provided a miraculous star to lead 1
the wise men to Bethlehem and the Lord Jesus. This story of the Miracle Star leading the Wise Men to Jesus begins the season of Epiphany. The word Epiphany means to reveal, to make known, or to show. The arrival of the Wise Men from the East reveals to us that Jesus is the King of all nations and all people. There are a number of fascinating things going on in this story: E P I P H A N Y Today we begin the Epiphany season (which technically began on January 6 th the 12 th day after Christmas). The word Epiphany means to reveal, to make known, or to show. The arrival of the Wise Men reveals to us that Jesus is the King of all Kings and all Peoples. Epiphany has been called Christmas for the Gentiles because of the story of the Wise Men which is the Gospel reading for Epiphany. THE WISE MEN ARE MAGI. The term Magi can mean kings, scholars, priests, or astronomers. The important thing is not their vocation; but their location! These Magi are not Jewish, but they are Gentiles, from the East! Earlier in the Christmas Story, an angel led the Jewish Shepherds to worship the newborn Messiah. Now, a miraculous star leads the Gentile Magi to worship the Savior of the world! First the Jews, then the Gentiles. Jesus is revealed in this story as the King and the Savior of all people, Jew and Gentile alike. JESUS COULD BE TWO YEARS OLD BY NOW. This event did not happen on Christmas morning, like so many of the movies and manger scenes depict. Rather it was perhaps two years later: Mary and Joseph were now living in a house; and when Herod tried to kill Jesus, he killed all the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem. 2
THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI ARE PROPHETIC. Three gifts are mentioned: gold, frankincense and myrrh; that is why tradition says there were three kings. Gold was the symbol of a king. Jesus is God s King, God s ruler over the earth. The Son of God is the King of Kings who has an eternal kingdom. Frankincense was the gift for a priest, Jesus is the eternal High Priest for all people the mediator Who makes peace between God and Man. Finally, Myrrh was the spice used to embalm the dead. This was a symbol of His sacrifice, a foreshadow of His suffering and sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of the world. THE VISIT IS SURREAL. Remember, Bethlehem is just a spot on the road, a tiny village. So imagine the scene when these wealthy, exotic Gentile foreigners, and their caravan, arrive in this small Jewish village and come to a lowly peasant s home bearing extravagant gifts, speaking a foreign language, and falling on their knees, worshipping a two year old boy! The visit must have been startling, awe inspiring, and unbelievable all at the same time! The story of the wise men is good news for us today. It reveals that Jesus is God in the flesh, King of all nations, and the Savior for all people --- Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus is a Savior that we all need. Isaiah was describing all of us when he wrote, see a darkness covers the earth and a thick darkness is over the peoples. That darkness is sin, guilt, shame, and death; its pitch black, we d never find our way out. 3
But God sent His Son, like a star in the dark night, to led us out of sin. Jesus is the Light of the world Who show us the way out of sin and death. The Light of Christ shows us that He Himself is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His death, burial, and resurrection on the third day reconciles you to God. o He is the King, who uses His mighty power to set you free from sin and death so you can live in His eternal Kingdom! o He is the Priest, who reconciles you to God the Father o He is the Sacrifice, the Lamb of God Who shed His blood and gave His life for the forgiveness of your sins! Jesus is God in the flesh, King of all nations, and the Savior for all people --- Jew and Gentile alike. As we look at this story today, there are three things that we can learn from these wise men for our everyday life; three things that will help make you wise as you live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. 1) WISE MEN STUDY THE WORD OF GOD The star got the wise men to Jerusalem, but it was the Word of God that led them to Christ in Bethlehem. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Matthew 2:4-6 The Word of God also leads you to Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing of the Word of God. As disciples, we need to regularly learn, study and inwardly digest God s Holy Word. That is how you grow in faith and mature as a Christian. If you are not learning or studying the Word of God, then don t expect your faith to grow or for you to mature in the faith. 4
One of the most important things our congregation does is offer Bible classes. We have many opportunities for you and your family to study God s Holy Word here at Trinity: page two in the newsletter lists the opportunities. SO, No more excuses! No more procrastination! Make a commitment to study the Word of God! Wise Men Study The Word Of God 2) WISE MEN WORSHIP CHRIST The Wise Men made their long journey in order to worship Christ. "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:2,11 In worship, the same Savior the wise men worshipped is here for you in Word and Sacrament. Worship is the highest expression of your faith. Worship is where you meet the Lord Jesus Christ as He speaks to you in His Word and gives you His very Body and Blood in Holy Communion. In worship, you are assure that your sins are forgiven; you are reminded that He watches over your life; and the Savior gives you the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. Weekly worship is what disciples do. It is the highest expression of faith! It is one of the most important things God asks of His People. Worship reflects your priorities. When Christ is a priority for you, then you will worship Him weekly. If you understand and believe the gospel, then you don t need the 3 rd Command to tell you to worship the Lord! In faith, Wise men worship Christ! 5
3) WISE MEN BRING GIFTS TO THE SAVIOR How could we talk about the Wise Men and not mention their gifts? When these Wise men worshipped Christ, they brought an offering: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Even far away Gentiles realized that no one is to appears empty handed before the God of all creation. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11 Their gifts were prophetic: teaching us WHO Jesus is and WHAT He would do. Our gifts, our tithes and offerings, are given as a response because we know and believe WHO He is and WHAT He has done in our lives. Both the Wise Men, and we, give our gifts in faith. We bring the gifts of our time, our talents, our tithes and offerings in faith. Giving back to God is done with great joy, gladness, and eagerness! We give to the Lord Jesus in gratitude for WHO He is and WHAT He has done in your life! We learn from the Wise Men to bring gifts to the Lord Jesus! Today, as we begin this Epiphany season, may you live your life wisely. We learn from the Wise Men who followed a majestic and miraculous Star to Jesus that we are to study His Word, faithfully worship Him, and give our gifts to Him! AMEN! 6
Isaiah 60:1-6 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come 7
from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. 6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. 5 He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. 6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. 11 All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. 14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. Matthew 2:1-12 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. BIBLE VERSE WORD SEARCH B E E N O V N V B B G W O K K 8
R T N W E H T T A M O R N E I Z W W A F A W B D E E R E M N O E U O P R R A M Y R G N T G K T H E H H Z O S W S A H W G T C D H I G C A M Z I X C T E H S H G S T W G O E E S A H B C F A J G O J W X S N Q G O Y F U E E R M D X I E E M W P M P W S S D N R W E E Z H S A T S A H G A E R M V R O H I M X I I L X Z P K P A E O S H M Z P Q X R D D X S H H G T I I O S J U N U K H L A W R A T S B R J P L A Y L M M B W G K B W The Wise Men asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:2 9
Invocation In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen! The wise men of old saw a beautiful star, Led on by its glory they traveled afar; Over mountain and valley til wanderings past, Their gifts at the feet of the Savior they cast. The star of the east was the herald of day, The light everlasting that fades not away; Its beams rising higher, O hasten and see, The Light of the world shines for you and for me. The star of His Word guards His people today, To sweet joy in Jesus its leading the way. Then still let us follow and lovingly bring Our hearts and our offerings to Jesus our King. Beautiful Star A Christmas carol 10
Confession/Absolution God of all creation You have revealed your Son to us through Your Holy Word. But our faith is weak, our trust fluctuates, and our confidence wanes. Our lives are filled with sin, and we have guilt in our conscience. Hear our confession and forgive us. S I L E N C E F O R M E D I T A T I O N God has revealed His Son Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World. In His Name I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Amen! Collect O God, who by the leading of a star did reveal Your only-begotten Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know You now by faith, to Your presence, where we may behold Your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 730 prayer FIRST PARAGRAPH God the Creator of all the stars, we thank you for using a star to lead the wise men to your Son and revealing Him as the King and Savior of all nations. Help us live wisely as your people, and study Your Word, weekly worship You, and faithfully give our gifts to You! 11
The Miracle Star This story of the Miracle Star leading the Wise Men to Jesus begins the season of Epiphany. The word Epiphany means to reveal, to make known, or to show. Epiphany shows and reveals Jesus as the King of all nations and the Savior of all people! 1. List some interesting facts about stars. 2. God provided a to lead the wise men to Bethlehem and the Lord Jesus. 3. The arrival of the Wise Men from the East reveals Jesus is the of all nations and the of all people. 4. Earlier in the Christmas Story, an angel led the Shepherds to worship the newborn Messiah. Now, a miraculous star leads the Magi to worship the Savior of the world! 5. Epiphany reveals that Jesus is God in the flesh, King of nations, and the Savior for people --- Jew and Gentile alike. 6. The also leads you to Christ. 7. In worship, the same Savior the wise men worshipped is here for you in and. 8. Your gifts, your tithes and offerings, are given as a response because you know and believe He is and He has done in your life. 9. We learn from the Wise Men who followed a majestic and miraculous Star to Jesus that we are to His Word, worship Him, and give our to Him! E P I P H A N Y Today we begin the Epiphany season (which technically began on January 6 th the 12 th day after Christmas). The word Epiphany means to reveal, to make known, or to show. The arrival of the Wise Men reveals to us that Jesus is the King of all Kings and all Peoples. Epiphany has been called Christmas for the Gentiles because of the story of the Wise Men which is the Gospel reading for Epiphany. 12
This logo takes many elements from Luther s seal, which is the most easily recognized symbol for Lutheranism. It was common in Luther s day for people to create a seal or coat of arms for their families, and that seal told the world what the family cared about or did for a living. It s no surprise, then, that Luther s seal was all about Jesus! At the center of Luther s seal, and at the center of the Reformation 2017 logo, is a red heart in the middle of a white rose. (The heart and rose together are commonly referred to as Luther s rose.) As Luther explained in one of his writings, The heart in the middle of white rose shows that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. It immediately sets [the believer] into the midst of a white, joyful rose, not like the peace and joy the world offers. That is why the rose should be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and all angels. At the center of that rose is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Jesus is the center and Rock of our faith. He has been since He came to Earth in the flesh, and He still is today. The word still bears witness to the ever and ongoing relevance of this one, saving truth for sinners. 13