The Star of Epiphany

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.  (Matthew 2:1-2)

Today is the day of Epiphany.  You all know the plot line of Epiphany.  Epiphany is normally the day when the Wise Men are the stars of the day.  It is their day in the spotlight, their day to take center stage.  Epiphany is the day the cameras focus on the Magi, coming from the East to bring gold and frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. 

In Numbers 24:17, God had promised, “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”  It’s likely the Wise Men had studied that passage and interpreted it to mean that a star would mark the birth of the One who would hold the scepter of Israel, that is, the Great King.

You know the story.  The Wise Men travel a great distance to Jerusalem to find the newborn King of the Jews.  They consult with wicked King Herod, who pretends to wish to worship Jesus too.  Then, leaving Jerusalem, they complete their journey to Bethlehem and reach their goal.  But the Wise Men aren’t really the “stars” of the day on Epiphany – the star is!

The star that brightly shined in the East is God’s invitation for all people to worship One Savior.  The Wise Men were faithful because they had something to place their faith in – God’s promise of a Savior.  

God put the star in the sky where all could see.  That was God’s way of announcing that Gentiles too, people of all lands and languages and backgrounds, are included in those promises.  We are included – you and I, and all people.

The message of Epiphany is: Christ Jesus is our Savior no matter who we are, where we are, or how sinful we are.  May this be what you think of when you hear the word “Epiphany” - God’s bright shining Light revealing His love and salvation for you!