Sermon for Jan 7, 2024: “Good Starts” based upon Matthew 2:1-12, 3:13-17

​Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Wise Men

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 

They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Matthew 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ 

But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’

​Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

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     ​It is good to be reminded, from the start, that the Magi were not of the same religious tradition as Jesus. In her commentary on this texts, Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder notes that these wise people were from Persia and were scholars, astrologers, and practitioners of Zoroastrianism. They were learned in the ways of the stars, watching for signs and portents. They saw something inspiring enough to draw them to Judea. Divine inspiration has made it clear to them that a new leader had been born. And, as J. Andrew Overman shares in his notes on this portion of Matthew 2, it was appropriate for neighboring royal courts to send emissaries to greet new rulers. They would often bring them gifts. Of course, they knew something holy was happening from the very start. They’d been watching for it and waiting. Of course, they’d set out towards Judea to greet the child who would one day lead.

     It is also good to be reminded, from the start, that this child is no longer an infant. Dr. Crowder clarifies for us in her commentary that it has probably been about two years since the child was born. Dr. Crowder says we know this because we know when Herod reigned. And, because the tyrant would order the death of all children under two who lived in and around Bethlehem, it seems that the time frame of the child’s birth was somewhat in question. Sometimes it takes a while to make it to the destination when God is guiding you. It is good that, from the start, we know this might not be a fast trip. But, regardless of how long it takes to make the case that you need to go, to gather what you need to get there, and to actually make the trek, it is clear that going is the right call.

     It is good, from the start, to be reminded that not all people in power are trustworthy. Some, like Herod, have a great deal of power and maintain it through cruelty and brutality. Aubrey West describes his reign as “a terrifying era fueled by chaos and trauma for the Jewish people.” He would do just about anything, harm just about anyone, including his own wife and sons, to shore up his power. His rule would always be precarious because his power was always based on what Rome was willing to give him. Rome would always protect their interests over Judea’s. Herod would only be around as long as he was useful. It is wise not to put your faith in a leader who only comes to power because someone more powerful wants them there. Thank God for the Magis dream that led them home by another route so they wouldn’t betray the toddler and family. If only the other families in and around Bethlehem had had similar warnings and had been able to protect their children.

     I know that it has come somewhat in fashion to question the practicality of the Magis gifts. I am certain that I have a decorative Christmas towel that records what the “Wise Women” would have brought, which is largely practical things like diapers and bottles and maybe they’d watch the baby for a bit while his mother slept. The poet Jan Richardson has a beautiful poem about the Wise Women who could have accompanied Mary through labor. A portion of it reads:

Wise women also came,
at least three of them,
holding Mary in the labor,
crying out with her
in the birth pangs,
breathing ancient blessings
into her ear.

Now, both of these are largely examples of theological imagination, reading what we know to be likely true based on what we know about traditions around births and also a reclamation of women’s leadership and wisdom, in both serious and tongue-in-cheek ways.

     It must be said though that there’s nothing in the reading that indicates that women weren’t among the Magi. Magoi, in Greek, doesn’t indicate only men, as Dr. Wil Gafney and Dr. Crowder note in their commentaries, just the presence of at least one man. Dr. Crowder notes that similar caravans traveling from Persia for similar reasons often had women in the party. And, in regard to the gifts, we must remember that the baby is a toddler. He and his parents have likely already received anything like a baby shower that the family, poor as they were, would have thrown. These gifts are for something other than the practical. Like the star, they tell us something special about this child. God, frankincense, and myrrh were, as Dr. Overman reminds us, gifts for a king. At this point in the story, this child is barely walking. But, from the start, those who are wise know that he will lead.

     Our second reading for today is a different start... the start of Jesus’ ministry. We have another jump in time, with the toddler now a grown man, seeking out his prophet cousin in the wilderness. Jesus will begin his ministry not in some grand display of power, but in placing himself in the vulnerable position of one who is to be baptized. Dr. Crowder argues that Jesus is doing what good leaders do, allowing the people whom they serve to also “equip and nurture” the leader. At the start of this encounter, John does not believe has the right to baptize Jesus, the one with the more powerful calling of the two of them. But, Jesus is clear that baptism is a surrender that is necessary to his calling. John is called to baptize. Jesus is called to be baptized in order as a preparation for all that is to come.

     As Dr. Crowder points out, though Jesus played host to emissaries and dignitaries as a toddler, his ministry will primarily be among those who are poor like him, as well as though who are of even lower status. Those who reside in the wilderness are often people cast aside from the main community or, as those who found John in the wilderness were, people seeking some deeper connection with the divine. What better place to start than among those who need him the most.... right there in the water, in recognition of the calling of his cousin, humble before God. What will come next will not be easy. But it is what will bring him to us, oh these centuries later. May the first weeks of the year in the Gregorian calendar bring you closer to God who is with us. I pray for the stars to guide you and the water of your baptisms to remind you of Emanuel. May you, too, have a good start, and may it carry you into the future Christ is building with our help right now.

Resources consulted while writing this sermon:

Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder:
-https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/epiphany-of-our-lord/commentary-on-matthew-21-12-9
-https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/baptism-of-our-lord/commentary-on-matthew-313-17-5

J. Andrew Overman's notes on Matthew in The New Oxford Annotated Bible: The New Revised Standard Version with Apocryphya, ed. Michael Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001)
Wil Gafney, "Feast of the Epiphany," Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year B (New York: Church Publishing Incorporated, 2023)

Audrey West: https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/epiphany-of-our-lord/commentary-on-matthew-21-12-13
​
Wise women also came.
The fire burned
in their wombs
long before they saw
the flaming star
in the sky.
They walked in shadows,
trusting the path
would open
under the light of the moon.
Wise women also came,
seeking no directions,
no permission
from any king.
They came
by their own authority,
their own desire,
their own longing.
They came in quiet,
spreading no rumors,
sparking no fears
to lead
to innocents’ slaughter,
to their sister Rachel’s
inconsolable lamentations.
Wise women also came,
and they brought
useful gifts:
water for labor’s washing,
fire for warm illumination,
a blanket for swaddling.
Wise women also came,
at least three of them,
holding Mary in the labor,
crying out with her
in the birth pangs,
breathing ancient blessings
into her ear.
Wise women also came,
and they went,
as wise women always do,
home a different way.
-- by Jan Richardson