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Pilgrim Uniting Church, Doncaster Vic. |
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Searching Preached by Rev Darryn Hickling on Sunday 6th January 2008 Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12 (The visit of the Magi) I guess that at some time in our lives we search, maybe for guidance. Some people look to the stars: movie stars (who are people who have the ability to act), Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Nicole Kidman and Arnold Schwarzerneger; Astrological Signs; al signs of the Zodiac, Pisces; Religious Figures, Mother Teresa, Pope, Osama Bin Laden, Nelson Mandella; ancient writings, Qu’ran and Bible; Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and sermon. We search for guidance Lets explore the text. Magi (traditionally wise men or astrologers) from the east, so from a country outside of Israel and these gentiles went to the ruler of Jerusalem (Herod) and asked ‘where is the one who is to be born King of the Jews’? Here is some significance as gentiles ask about the King of the Jews. Of what possible relevance could a Jewish King have for them? Interestingly the same words which are used on the inscription above Jesus head at the crucifixion. There intention is to worship him. Also mentioned by Herod in verse 8. The response of the ruler though is that the news is not good as he is disturbed? Why? He sees the child as a threat to his position. Herod asks his advisors (the chief priests and teachers of the law) those to whom should have known what the signs were and meant! The passage from the old or first testament is a quote from Micah 2:2 and verse 4. Once again it is a prophecy about the might of Assyria. And how the Israelites will find strength from God to rise up against the Assyrians, for they will have a shepherd who will shepherd his flock. Another adaptation of an Old Testament text for Matthews purposes. The star once again is used as a guide and the Magi follow the star to the place where the child was. On coming to the house (no stable mentioned here) they find the child and his mother and they undertake what they came to do as they worship him. It is estimated that Jesus is around one - two years old at this time. This makes sense to the passage that all children under the age of two were killed under Herod's instruction. Then the magi (how many were there?) (2. Sermon Slide) present the child with gifts (expensive gifts) of gold, incense and myrrh. The Magi are also given instruction in a dream not to return to Herod and so they return to their own country by another route. ‘Astral phenomena are recorded at the births of Abraham, Pliny, Alexander the Great, Mithras and many others. Legends were told of famous people, including Herod the Great in 10 BCE whose birth was signified by a star in the sky.. Such stories were around. Matthew’s version is more dramatic still: the star moves across the sky and takes up station above the place where Jesus was born. Matthew is letting his hearers, readers and community know that the birth of Jesus is of cosmological significance. As the wise men (astrologers) were looking for a sign in the heavens), these gentiles follow a star. ‘This is a celebration of inclusiveness’[1]. For them, the magi, this baby and the journey that he calls them to undertake, is a source of great joy, rather than merely a cause of deep fear. They “departed by another road for their own country.” Are we willing to go on that journey with joy, to relinquish our sense of comfort and control and go to where God can lead us? Can we, as the church, rise like a shining new star and rise to a new sense of adventure, forsake our cozy boundaries, and go forth following him? Joy and fear. These are the two conflicting, sometimes complimentary emotions to be found in any church on any Sunday morning. They are the emotions of travellers. And according to scripture, all of us who walk with Jesus are travellers. Travellers who are searching. “I’ve got a lot of questions,” says Jayber Crow in Wendell Berry’s novel of the same name. Jayber is recalling his seminary days and a visit to his professor of New Testament Greek, old Dr. Ardmire. “Perhaps you would like to say what they are?” answers the good doctor. Jayber runs down the list. He fears his teacher will be like the other professors and discourage his questions. Dr. Ardmire listens thoughtfully for some time and then says, “You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out – perhaps a little at a time.” “And how long is that going to take?” asks Jayber. “I don’t know. As long as you live perhaps.” “That could take a long time,” Jayber replies[2]. Humanity seems to have an innate capacity to search for and seek answers to questions. Questions of how, why, what? At times we may even seek professional help. In order to search for answers with another person for the reason or reasons we’re feeling a particular way. As people of faith we search for answers what are we to do? How are we to go about ministry? We search! Generally when people go on holidays they travel to a destination. Sometimes it is somewhere familiar and at other times unfamiliar. My brother in law and his partner have returned to Melbourne after eighteen months of travelling and touring around Australia. They spent three years planning their trip. They bought a camper trailer and assorted camping gear. They resigned from their employment of a refrigerator mechanic and a pharmacist and left Melbourne and headed up the east coast of Australia. Most of the places they visited were unfamiliar. Travelling the road of faith is familiar to a point. We meet here at 20 Westfield drive for worship on Sunday morning and evenings; worship at Melaluca and Roseville on a fortnightly basis and Bodalla. You could suggest that groups of people who meet here and off sight constitute smaller worshipping communities the ministry of small groups etc. We are travelling along a road of faith and it may seem different now to how it was. This is a new year and a time of certainty and uncertainty. The Ministry team that was is now no longer. This raises a whole host of questions about functionality, operation and practicality. Adjustments will need to be made. We travel forward hoping, looking asking each other, reading for guidance and trusting in God. This New Year does bring a sense of grief what once was is no longer and joy ‘I wonder what can be?’ I can speak as one of the leadership here to say or reassure that together with patience, care of and for each other, we can consolidate and move forward. The magi travelled to encounter what they were looking for. What are we searching for from a faith perspective in this New Year? |
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