“Visitors From the East”

Epiphany 2008

Matthew 2:1-12

              They were strange visitors from the east with a strange request.  You could hardly blame King Herod for responding the way he did.  In fact, it was very much in character with who Herod was, a ruthless, power-driven, power-hungry tyrant.  These Wise men from the east barged into his province inquiring as to the whereabouts of a baby born under a star.  This star rose in the east and led them to this region.  Being educated men who studied the heavens, they could not resist following this star because they knew that stars like this announced big events, like the birth of a king. “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” they asked Herod, “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”  Well, this terrified Herod and all of Jerusalem.  It terrified Herod because this child could challenge him for his rule and kingdom.  It terrified all of Jerusalem because they knew what Herod was capable of, that he could do something rash and ruthless.  None of the new born babies in Israel would be safe.  Bringing together his advisors, the chief priests and scribes, Herod asked them where the Messiah was to be born?  They told him in Bethlehem, as the prophet Micah had foretold centuries ago.  That the Messiah was to be born was only the fulfillment of the promise of God proclaimed by the prophets.  It is something they all should have expected.  For Herod, it was something that he needed to prevent. 

Pretending to be interested in this cosmic, celestial event, he sent the Wise men on their way so that they might find this child and let him know where the child was so that he could come and also worship him.  As they left Herod, there before them was that star, that special, bright star, and it stopped over the place where the child was.  And when it stopped, the Wise men were overwhelmed with joy.  They had found what they were looking for.  There with his mother and father was the child, perhaps as old as two years by now.  Upon entering the place where they were, the Wise men knelt down, presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh,  and worshipped him.  This was the king of the Jews, God’s only Son, the Savior of the world. 

The Bible doesn’t tell us how Mary and Joseph responded to the Wise men when they arrived, but I suspect if Mary was in keeping with her character and who she was, she received and welcomed them openly, Pondering all these things in her heart.  As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph probably remembered the words of the prophet Isaiah who foretold of this event.  “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you….Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn….A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.  They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.”  Strange visitors from the east, but I think Mary and Joseph expected it.  And so should we!

              This story of the Wise men coming to see Jesus and worship him is a wonderful story to begin what we call here at United our Mission Month.  Every month is mission month, but during January we take time out to give it special emphasis.  This story reminds us that this Jesus we worship is for all people and that it is our responsibility to share him with everyone, so that they, too, may come to know him, worship him, and rejoice in the salvation he brings.  We should not be frightened like Herod when strange visitors come looking for Jesus, but like Mary and Joseph, we should expect it and be ready to welcome and receive them.

              In an article entitled Who’s Not Coming To Church?  Cindy Novak addressed the question of why people stay away from church.  Who are they?  How can congregations reach out?  What is the best way to connect with church visitors?  It highlighted a young man named Neil.  She wrote, “It took Neil five minutes to decide he didn’t want to come back.  After 15 years of staying away, he came back to church searching for answers and peace.  In the last two months Neil had lost a job and a brother.  But as he entered the church, no one greeted him.  He had trouble singing the hymns and following the liturgy.  Most people were dressed up; he wore jeans.  Neil felt out of place.” 

              This is a story that happens all too often in our churches, visitors who come to worship and do not feel like they belong, or who do not receive a warm welcome.  It’s something that I have experienced in the past when visiting other churches.  I’ve told some of you this story before, but I when I was on sabbatical some years ago I went to worship at a different church almost every Sunday.  I especially wanted to go to some of the big, mega churches to see what was going on and how they did things.  I was surprised that I was not once approached by anyone who said hello, nor asked what my name was.  It made me want to come back and encourage a more welcoming environment in our own church here.  There should not be one of you who are members of United that does not make the effort to shake hands with one person you do not know and find out their name.  I know that that is sometimes hard because we all enjoy seeing and talking with our friends, but that’s my challenge for you for the sake of the visitors that come.  All of you can extend a hand of greeting and say “My name is Randy Johnson. I don’t think I know your name.”  If the person you greet is new or visiting, they will probably tell you.  And you do not need to be embarrassed if you greet someone who has been a long time member of United.  What you have gained is a new friend.  This is the way strangers become friends.

              Of course, we should not expect that people will always come to us, or walk through the doors of the church on their own.  For many, a big old church building like ours can be a frightening thing.  We need to have the mindset to go out from this place and invite them to come and worship with us, because we believe we have something so great that they need, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection. 

              I once met a woman in a store in town while checking out.  She looked at me and said, “You’re a pastor, aren’t you?”  And I said “Yes, I am.”  She went on to say how meaningful church had become for her.  The season of Advent was just awesome, she said.  I told her that was wonderful.  And then she asked if I talk with people who are not members?  And I said, “Yes I do.”  After a short pause I asked if she has something she needs to talk about and she said, “Maybe.”  I told her where our church was located and that she could stop by anytime.  If she is ever does come to worship, I hope that one of you will notice and welcome her.

You need to know there are lots of people like that right here in Red Wing, people searching, people in need of something, people looking for a community that cares about them.  People stop by all the time asking for help, usually monetary help for rent or utilities, food or shelter.  I want this to be that kind of place for them, a place where they can receive help and perhaps hope for the day.  And nothing should stop us from doing that, not race, not ethnic background, not gender or age or sexual orientation, whether they be single, married, divorced, or widowed.  All barriers should be removed so that the light of Christ can arise in their lives and so shed greater light upon the world.  We should expect that strangers will come, and when they do, welcome and receive them and give to them what they need, a loving, caring community.  We need to give them Jesus.

              This is what I hope we are about at United Lutheran Church.  We are here not just for ourselves, as good and wonderful as that is, but more so, we are here for the sake of others, for the strangers in our midst, for those who live in our neighborhood, for those who have a need for Jesus Christ.  What those Wise men found at the end of their journey was the most precious gift of all, the Savior of the world.  Have you met any strange visitors today?  I hope so.  Let’s give them Jesus.  Amen.