Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Matthew 2:1-12

What’s the highest worship of Jesus? 

Shall we take our cue from King Herod?  “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.”  Well, then, King Herod, why don’t you go yourself?  If you’re so keen on worshiping Jesus, shouldn’t you take the lead?  Why don’t you head on down to Bethlehem in one of your fastest chariots?  You’re not blind are you?  You can follow the star too, can’t you? 

You won’t learn what the highest worship of Jesus is from Herod.  He’s only interested in Baby Jesus in order to pull a Tony Soprano Mafioso hit job.  In fact, Tony Soprano probably wouldn’t even consider pulling a King Herod:  infanticide.  So let’s just scratch Herod off our list pronto!       

Next on the list is the Magi Gentiles from the east.  They follow the star to Jerusalem.  They’ve heard the Word of the Lord from the prophet Micah.  In fact, these Gentiles are recipients of God’s Word and His promise to send the Messiah ever since Daniel and many other exiles were shipped off to Babylonian banishment generations earlier.  The Magi are the fruit of God’s Word of salvation’s promise proclaimed and planted in Israel’s Old Testament resident death in Babylon by the likes of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

These Magi are believers.  They’ve been hearing God’s Word thanks to faithful Jewish exiles stranded in Babylon’s deportation.  The Word gives birth to faith.  Faith in the promised son of David, the everlasting King of the Jews.  “We have seen his star in the east.  We have come to worship the one born king of the Jews.” 

They make their search.  Follow the star some more.  Stops at Bethlehem.  At the house where the Child and his mother are.  Finally.  The long journey is over.  There He is!  Epiphany Light in the midst of sin’s dismal darkness!  The King of the Jews! 

But not just for Jews.  He’s king for Magi Gentile sinners from the east.  He’s born for them.  Reigns for them too.  And for you!

For you and for all the Baby is a suffering king.  Suffers under Herod’s murderous villainy.  Must flee to Egypt.  Rejected by His own people.  Betrayed, denied, and abandoned by His own disciples.  Crucified.  Dead.  Buried.  Not for Himself.  But for Jews, Gentiles and you.  Servant Suffering Baby King Jesus.  Bearing the sin of the world.  Taking all its punishment.  In your place.  The Magi’s place.

This is the King they’ve come to worship.  And you too today.  The King who has come to give salvation for all sinners. 

And what kind of worship does this Baby King require?  It’s spelled F-A-I-T-H!  Faith!  That’s simple trust in Him.  And being gifted with His gifts:  salvation achieved in His bloody dying.  Salvation bestowed through His Word of forgiveness, the waters of Holy Baptism, and His Body and Blood in the Supper. 

To believe in Jesus and to receive His gifts for you is the highest worship of Him.  And that’s precisely how the Magi worship Jesus.  Faith.  Faith in Him as the Savior and His Savior promises.  Faith in what He’s come to do for them on the Cross.  That’s all this King desires from you, the Magi, or anybody. 

And such faith gives thanks.  Naturally.  Thus the gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh.  “And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” 

The thanksgiving for God’s gift of salvation in this Baby just overflows.  Naturally.  The gold, incense and myrrh aren’t required.  They simply flow from the stunning gift of this Baby King.  They flow from the great joy of faith being given such an astonishing Epiphany present.  And what a present He is.  Wrapped in the flesh of this Baby King God reigns as the Savior of all people.

Suffering Savior King Jesus.  For the Jews.  For the Magi.  And for you.  For the forgiveness of all your sins.  What would you give Him?  Gold?  Incense?  Myrrh?  If you want to.  You’re free.  Or anything else for that matter.  Just as long as it flows from the highest worship of Him:  F-A-I-T-H.

Happy Epiphany. 

In the Name of Jesus.