Here is a link to Matthew 2:1-12, the story of the Wise Men:
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=255855809
The story of the wise men, the magi, is an interesting one. On the surface it seems like a story from a child's book, not quite possible, not quite real, but interesting to listen to. Three wise men follow a star from the east to find the Messiah? It makes a good children's book. However, if we look at the story more closely, we find a profound theological message buried between the lines. Perhaps reminding ourselves of the setting of this story will help to bring this profound theological message to the forefront.
Jesus was Jewish. This means he was part of a group of people who saw themselves as God's chosen ones, the ones to whom God had chosen to reveal Himself. Those outside of Judaism, were not the chosen. Those outside of Judaism did not know of the true God. According to the people of Israel, God did not reveal himself to those who were not Jewish. And yet, we have a story here right in front of us of God revealing Himself to those who were not of the Jewish faith.
The wise men are not Jewish. They were most likely from what is today the country of Iran and were therefore followers of Zoroaster. They are not Jewish and they are foreigners. A double whammy in the eyes of Judaism. They cannot possibly be on the receiving end of God's revelation, and yet, they are. They are one of the first to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah. They are one of the first who are privileged to meet God made human.
The deep theological truth here is that God's revelation can come in ways that defy our religious and cultural expectations, and indeed it often does. How frequently though do we behave in exactly the same ways as the people of Israel did in Jesus' day? Christians regularly make statements that imply that God only reveals Himself to those who are Christian. We imply that it is somehow our job to bring God to the great heathen masses who don't know Him. But the thing is this, we can't bring God to others, because God is already there.
That is the great theological truth of the story of the Wise Men. There is nowhere that God is not and God is acting everywhere. We are not in control of God. We are not in control of when and where God chooses to make Himself known. And in fact, when we convince ourselves that we know where God is and where God acts, we often miss seeing God's revelation when it is right in front of us. Our job is not to bring God to others, but instead to go out into the world and to discover where God is already at work and to join in with God in this work.
The wise men are not Jewish. They were most likely from what is today the country of Iran and were therefore followers of Zoroaster. They are not Jewish and they are foreigners. A double whammy in the eyes of Judaism. They cannot possibly be on the receiving end of God's revelation, and yet, they are. They are one of the first to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah. They are one of the first who are privileged to meet God made human.
The deep theological truth here is that God's revelation can come in ways that defy our religious and cultural expectations, and indeed it often does. How frequently though do we behave in exactly the same ways as the people of Israel did in Jesus' day? Christians regularly make statements that imply that God only reveals Himself to those who are Christian. We imply that it is somehow our job to bring God to the great heathen masses who don't know Him. But the thing is this, we can't bring God to others, because God is already there.
That is the great theological truth of the story of the Wise Men. There is nowhere that God is not and God is acting everywhere. We are not in control of God. We are not in control of when and where God chooses to make Himself known. And in fact, when we convince ourselves that we know where God is and where God acts, we often miss seeing God's revelation when it is right in front of us. Our job is not to bring God to others, but instead to go out into the world and to discover where God is already at work and to join in with God in this work.
I invite you this epiphany season to take a step out of your comfort zone. Step out into the world. Open yourself up to the unknown and the outsider, for you might just find yourself looking into the face of God.
A link to a beautiful rendition of We Three Kings:
A link to a wonderful piece on compassion and openness by Krista Tippett:
http://bit.ly/KqXxvp