The Epiphany Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
The maturing of the child Jesus, the beginnings of his ministry, and the dawning on some who he is.
Theme For The Day
We can and ought kneel before Jesus our King, the object of our worship and the one who saves us from our sins.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 60:1-6
The Lightgiver Comes
Because of what's written before this, a great strong message of encouragement comes here. The light, or the light giver, will come to them. Keeping with the Epiphany we have this passage on light coming to darkness chosen for today. So they are promised the light will come to them and others will come to them for that light. Verse 6b fits with the gifts of the Wise Men, whose story is told in the Gospel for this festival.
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 3:1-12
A Prisoner For Christ
Paul wrote this letter while in Rome in prison awaiting trial before Nero. He was chained by the waist to a Roman soldier. A prisoner of Rome, Paul says he is "... a prisoner for Christ Jesus." Others would see this as being a victim of another. Paul saw it as being a champion for Christ. The great verse here is 6 where Paul claims that the Gentiles were also "heirs" and "members of the body of Christ" along with the Jews.
I don't think anyone else had ever thought of this until Paul came along! So Paul had a mission to rediscover that all people were within God's grace and then to spread the news about this great truth.
There is a rich Greek word used in verse 10 to describe God's grace: polipoikilos. It literally means many colored. It says God's grace will adjust and be effective to any situation which life brings us.
The Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
The Visit Of The Wise Men
This visit of the Wise Men who were astrologers must have happened about two years after the birth of Jesus. Notice verse 11 says they entered the house, so let's not have them kneeling at the stable manger in Bethlehem. Notice Herod the Great who ruled Palestine from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. had all the children up to two years killed. So Jesus' age is about two years and the birth was about 4 or 5 B.C.! Only Matthew tells this story and it's in keeping with his Gospel often quoting Old Testament prophecy and then showing how that was fulfilled in the life of Jesus. I don't see any need to explain the star. There were new ones which appeared about that time in history and, of course, navigation was often based on the stars. The gold and frankincense connect with the Old Testament Lesson for today (v. 6b). Micah 5:2 is fulfilled with the birth being in Bethlehem. Matthew implies that Bethlehem was the Holy Family's home. It was to escape the retribution of Archelaus (v. 22) that they changed their home to Nazareth east of the Jordan River.
This account of Matthew of the visit of the Magi and the gifts they present hint at Jesus as king and the worldwide reputation he will receive.
Preaching Possibilities
I believe our foremothers and forefathers selected these readings for Epiphany so that we would point to the Old Testament and what is promised and then point to the Matthew account and show how the promise was fulfilled.
However, this Ephesians passage is pregnant with possibilities. Paul refuses to take the role of a victim and instead sees this imprisonment as opportunity for witness and service to the Christ. On this passage, one might base a five-point traditional sermon with the following truths proclaimed and illustrated:
1. Paul's and our commission of God's grace (v. 2).
2. Paul's servanthood and ours by the gift of God's grace (v. 7).
3. Paul's and our understanding of "fellow heirs" and "members of the same body" and "sharers in the promise" (v. 6).
4. Paul's and our concept of the "rich variety" of grace (v. 10).
5. Paul's and our "access to God ... through faith" (v. 12).
This is really good stuff -- and it will preach! However, no matter how strong and important this New Testament Reading is, as soon as we read the sentimental Gospel story of the Wise Men -- it's that story that our people will want to hear told again.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: Begin by holding up a Christmas card which pictures the shepherds and the wise men kneeling at the same Bethlehem manger. Ask what is wrong with this picture. (The Wise Men arrived anywhere from one to two years after the shepherds.)
B. Text: Now read the story from Matthew 2.
C. Explain that you want to talk about three elements of this story:
1. The Wise Men, who sought Jesus -- something was lacking in their lives and they were looking for it in the guidance of the stars. Talk about where we seek the divine in our lives.
2. The King Herod, who was threatened by this power greater than his -- jealousy of fame is here.
3. The gifts offered -- promised in the Old Testament Lesson, they represent:
a. Gold -- a gift for a king
b. Frankincense -- a white aromatic gum resin exuded from trees. The Hebrews used it in worship like incense. The Wise Men may have used it to finance their trip to Bethlehem.
c. Myrrh -- this was part of Israel's holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:28-33). This will eventually be mixed with wine and offered to Jesus at his crucifixion. It was also brought by Nicodemus for embalming his dead body (John 19:39).
So we have, in these gifts, portrayed what and who Jesus is and will be -- a king of God's kingdom, one to be worshiped as the promised Messiah, and one who would die on a cross for our sins.
The assurances for us in this Epiphany story when it begins to dawn on some who Jesus is and what God will do for us through him. We are assured we are part of God's kingdom on earth, we have one worth worshiping, and we have a Savior who worked on the cross our forgiveness.
D. Now move to what we ought do about these great truths we have learned today. (This is an element we often forget in preaching; I call it the "So What?!")
1. We must learn more about citizenship in God's kingdom.
2. We must worship this Christ regularly. Perhaps challenge them to join you in daily worship throughout Epiphany.
3. We must tell others about the forgiveness we have through this baby grown up big.
E. Now, perhaps, a story to tie it all together.
Prayer For The Day
Help us to be wise men and women and boys and girls as we go from here. May we learn to be faithful disciples in God's kingdom, worship God often, and witness to others how God has saved us from our sins. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
"It is the stars, the stars above us, govern our conditions" (Shakespeare's King Lear, IV, iii, 33). An example of the identification of the stars with destiny, a common view, but usually rejected in Shakespeare. "These blessed candles of the night" (The Merchant of Venice).
"Those who are wise, wealthy, and well-disposed can also come to Christ, pouring out their treasure gifts such as they have to offer, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The artist Sando Botticelli seems to have had something of the same idea when he painted his famous Adoration of the Magi. The faces he put on the men bowing before the Christ are of high political and ecclesiastical positions of his day. With great insight he showed that the wise men represent the people of high estate in every age" (Gerald O. McCulloch in The Upper Room Pulpit).
In an interview with the director of the Diakonia Werk, Herr Schoenhaus, I learned that 1,400 mentally-challenged and old and sick were bussed out of Neuendettelsau to the gas chambers. At another of its institutions the director refused to let them be taken, but here they cooperated and many were killed during the Third Reich. In times of some moral crises we may have a chance to take a stand, but often it seems more reasonable to capitulate with the strong powers which work against God.
The maturing of the child Jesus, the beginnings of his ministry, and the dawning on some who he is.
Theme For The Day
We can and ought kneel before Jesus our King, the object of our worship and the one who saves us from our sins.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 60:1-6
The Lightgiver Comes
Because of what's written before this, a great strong message of encouragement comes here. The light, or the light giver, will come to them. Keeping with the Epiphany we have this passage on light coming to darkness chosen for today. So they are promised the light will come to them and others will come to them for that light. Verse 6b fits with the gifts of the Wise Men, whose story is told in the Gospel for this festival.
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 3:1-12
A Prisoner For Christ
Paul wrote this letter while in Rome in prison awaiting trial before Nero. He was chained by the waist to a Roman soldier. A prisoner of Rome, Paul says he is "... a prisoner for Christ Jesus." Others would see this as being a victim of another. Paul saw it as being a champion for Christ. The great verse here is 6 where Paul claims that the Gentiles were also "heirs" and "members of the body of Christ" along with the Jews.
I don't think anyone else had ever thought of this until Paul came along! So Paul had a mission to rediscover that all people were within God's grace and then to spread the news about this great truth.
There is a rich Greek word used in verse 10 to describe God's grace: polipoikilos. It literally means many colored. It says God's grace will adjust and be effective to any situation which life brings us.
The Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
The Visit Of The Wise Men
This visit of the Wise Men who were astrologers must have happened about two years after the birth of Jesus. Notice verse 11 says they entered the house, so let's not have them kneeling at the stable manger in Bethlehem. Notice Herod the Great who ruled Palestine from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. had all the children up to two years killed. So Jesus' age is about two years and the birth was about 4 or 5 B.C.! Only Matthew tells this story and it's in keeping with his Gospel often quoting Old Testament prophecy and then showing how that was fulfilled in the life of Jesus. I don't see any need to explain the star. There were new ones which appeared about that time in history and, of course, navigation was often based on the stars. The gold and frankincense connect with the Old Testament Lesson for today (v. 6b). Micah 5:2 is fulfilled with the birth being in Bethlehem. Matthew implies that Bethlehem was the Holy Family's home. It was to escape the retribution of Archelaus (v. 22) that they changed their home to Nazareth east of the Jordan River.
This account of Matthew of the visit of the Magi and the gifts they present hint at Jesus as king and the worldwide reputation he will receive.
Preaching Possibilities
I believe our foremothers and forefathers selected these readings for Epiphany so that we would point to the Old Testament and what is promised and then point to the Matthew account and show how the promise was fulfilled.
However, this Ephesians passage is pregnant with possibilities. Paul refuses to take the role of a victim and instead sees this imprisonment as opportunity for witness and service to the Christ. On this passage, one might base a five-point traditional sermon with the following truths proclaimed and illustrated:
1. Paul's and our commission of God's grace (v. 2).
2. Paul's servanthood and ours by the gift of God's grace (v. 7).
3. Paul's and our understanding of "fellow heirs" and "members of the same body" and "sharers in the promise" (v. 6).
4. Paul's and our concept of the "rich variety" of grace (v. 10).
5. Paul's and our "access to God ... through faith" (v. 12).
This is really good stuff -- and it will preach! However, no matter how strong and important this New Testament Reading is, as soon as we read the sentimental Gospel story of the Wise Men -- it's that story that our people will want to hear told again.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Introduction: Begin by holding up a Christmas card which pictures the shepherds and the wise men kneeling at the same Bethlehem manger. Ask what is wrong with this picture. (The Wise Men arrived anywhere from one to two years after the shepherds.)
B. Text: Now read the story from Matthew 2.
C. Explain that you want to talk about three elements of this story:
1. The Wise Men, who sought Jesus -- something was lacking in their lives and they were looking for it in the guidance of the stars. Talk about where we seek the divine in our lives.
2. The King Herod, who was threatened by this power greater than his -- jealousy of fame is here.
3. The gifts offered -- promised in the Old Testament Lesson, they represent:
a. Gold -- a gift for a king
b. Frankincense -- a white aromatic gum resin exuded from trees. The Hebrews used it in worship like incense. The Wise Men may have used it to finance their trip to Bethlehem.
c. Myrrh -- this was part of Israel's holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:28-33). This will eventually be mixed with wine and offered to Jesus at his crucifixion. It was also brought by Nicodemus for embalming his dead body (John 19:39).
So we have, in these gifts, portrayed what and who Jesus is and will be -- a king of God's kingdom, one to be worshiped as the promised Messiah, and one who would die on a cross for our sins.
The assurances for us in this Epiphany story when it begins to dawn on some who Jesus is and what God will do for us through him. We are assured we are part of God's kingdom on earth, we have one worth worshiping, and we have a Savior who worked on the cross our forgiveness.
D. Now move to what we ought do about these great truths we have learned today. (This is an element we often forget in preaching; I call it the "So What?!")
1. We must learn more about citizenship in God's kingdom.
2. We must worship this Christ regularly. Perhaps challenge them to join you in daily worship throughout Epiphany.
3. We must tell others about the forgiveness we have through this baby grown up big.
E. Now, perhaps, a story to tie it all together.
Prayer For The Day
Help us to be wise men and women and boys and girls as we go from here. May we learn to be faithful disciples in God's kingdom, worship God often, and witness to others how God has saved us from our sins. In Christ's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
"It is the stars, the stars above us, govern our conditions" (Shakespeare's King Lear, IV, iii, 33). An example of the identification of the stars with destiny, a common view, but usually rejected in Shakespeare. "These blessed candles of the night" (The Merchant of Venice).
"Those who are wise, wealthy, and well-disposed can also come to Christ, pouring out their treasure gifts such as they have to offer, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The artist Sando Botticelli seems to have had something of the same idea when he painted his famous Adoration of the Magi. The faces he put on the men bowing before the Christ are of high political and ecclesiastical positions of his day. With great insight he showed that the wise men represent the people of high estate in every age" (Gerald O. McCulloch in The Upper Room Pulpit).
In an interview with the director of the Diakonia Werk, Herr Schoenhaus, I learned that 1,400 mentally-challenged and old and sick were bussed out of Neuendettelsau to the gas chambers. At another of its institutions the director refused to let them be taken, but here they cooperated and many were killed during the Third Reich. In times of some moral crises we may have a chance to take a stand, but often it seems more reasonable to capitulate with the strong powers which work against God.
