Wise People

January 4, 2015 Matthew 2:1-12 Wise People Year A Epiphany A pastor friend noted that she got a Christmas card that said that after the three wise men left, the three wiser women arrived and gave gifts that the baby could actually use – diapers, casseroles for the week and baby formula. I guess that has been the debate for years now, that if the wise men had been wise women, then the story would have been much different. I think one little girl got it right, when she came to church and asked where were the magi at in the manger. It made her Sunday school teacher realize, that the magi were not in the manger – but in the pews. That story is not so much about wise men, or even wise women. It is about the wise people of today. And we have to remember that we are the magi, the wise people coming from the east to bring Jesus gifts. After all, that is the point of the story. This was not just the messiah for the jews, this was not just an important local story. This was a momentus occasion for all kinds of people, and that following a star, they came to bear witness to what God had done for his people. Afterall, we have to realize, that the three wise men were gentiles – we are gentiles, who have become apart of the salvation story. This is the first Sunday of 2015! This is truly a day to celebrate, a new year and a new beginning. At the end of the sermon, we will pray John Wesley’s covenant prayer putting ourselves in service for another year. This is also the last Sunday of Christmas. The story of the three wise men arriving to see Jesus, is the last part of the Christmas story. So if you are like me, and you haven’t taken your Christmas tree down, the season is over – and you can begin to dismantle Christmas. Of course, for me, Christmas will be much longer, with all that I have to do this week, it looks like my tree wont be coming down until the end of January. But Christmas is not a time that ends. That is the world’s understanding of Christmas. For us, Christmas should be a time of beginning. Actually, we are in the epiphany season. A time of discovering how we can give our gifts to Christ. How can we be in service to God and help him to build his kingdom of love. There is a saying that He that knows not and knows not that he knows not; He is a fool—shun him! (2) He that knows not and knows that he knows not; He is simple—teach him! (3) He that knows and knows not that he knows; He is asleep—wake him! (4) He that knows and knows that he knows; is indeed wise person. He is a wise man—follow him! —Gospel Herald Epiphany is the time for the wise to wake up, and to realize that the time is now for us to be of service and to get to work. To be close enough to God to hear God calling you, and to know that you have all that you need to fulfill that call. Text Illustration: THE FOURTH GIFT OF THE MAGI David Dewitt states, "Though there are still many questions about the Magi that may be left unanswered, we can determine that they brought a fourth gift that is often forgotten by many. After they laid their treasures down before Mary and Joseph, they worshipped Jesus. (This is the 4th Gift – the Worship of the King of Kings) These wise men from afar came not just to court favor but to proclaim that they believed Him to be the King of kings. The greatest gift that we can offer to Jesus this Christmas is our praise and worship." The three wise men did indeed offer physical gifts, gifts that would give him his identity as a king, a priest, and a messiah. But they gave him so much more when they were willing to bow down to him and worship him. They gave him their respect. They gave him their service. They gave him honor in the midst of all that they would ever do in their lives. The wise men were gentiles, giving their lives to the service of a jewish messiah. If the wise men can take time out of their lives to give honor to God, then surely we can do the same. How can we continue to do the work of God? We have to be awake to what needs to be done? Who does God need to get across to in this day? How can we be of service to God in 2015? During the Christmas season, we gave a lot of gifts and well wishes, now we can give intentionally to build God’s church. You have heard that song – give your heart to Jesus. We can commit to give our hearts to Jesus. To care about what Jesus cares about, to care not just with our mouths, but to care with our whole selves. One familiar part of Christmas is the bell ringers and red kettles of the salvation army. William Booth is the founder of the salvation army. He was a general who lived in London. Of course today the salvation army is much more than a church, they are a social service agency which provides every imaginable service to the needs of people. They serve in places all over the world. Once, someone asked William Booth how was he able to accomplish so much in service to God. His response was that I told the Lord that he could have all that there was of William Booth. It is not just our heart, but our mind, our soul our everything. What would happen if we gave ourselves as a gift to God. That is the point of all of this gift giving stuff. To recognize that God did not keep anything from us – he gave his only begotten son so that we could have life. We have to give that life to God. There is still work to be done in 2015. The Wise men--seek Him the Wiser men--find Him the Wisest men--follow Him Let us follow him into 2015 and see where it takes us. Amen.