“Power Pointed”
Epiphany and The Baptism of Our Lord
January 10, 2021
Note: This is a message based on combining stories of the Wisemen and the baptism of Jesus. Please read both texts.
Mark 1:4–11
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.11And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
Matthew 2:1–12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Dear Friends:
This has been a challenging week in which to focus thoughts and direct actions. Perhaps you felt the same?
As usual on Monday, I looked to see what Gospel was assigned for today and discovered it was the Baptism of Jesus. However, the week also included Feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday. It is a story that has always intrigued me. I decided to ponder both for a day or two before working on this weekly message.
Then Wednesday afternoon my pondering was put on hold as I watched the coverage of angry men and women breaching the hallowed halls of our Capital, encouraged by the president in a vain effort to overturn the election. It was troubling seeing them carrying Confederate flags, guns, and clubs. It was devasting to learn there was loss of life. It was an upsetting display of angry power.
After the shock settled, my mind was drawn to the story of the Wisemen. Because in it we are warned that evil kings will use their power to lie and murder — do anything — to stop the possibility of God’s dream made manifest in Jesus.
The story for Epiphany tells us the wisemen noticed the light of a new star, which according to prophecy would announce the child born to be king of the Jews. Curious to learn more, they go to King Herod who they expected would know about this birth and be able to direct them him.
Upon receiving the news, Herod is threatened. He consults with his advisors and in turn sends the Wisemen to Bethlehem with one instruction: “When you find the messiah, come back and report to me so that I may go and pay him homage.” However, we know Herod’s intentions were not honorable. Fearful of losing power, Herod was willing to go to great lengths to halt any perceived challenge.
The wisemen follow the star, find Jesus, worship him, and give him gifts. And then, being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they “left for their own country by another road.” (Matthew 2:8) They outsmarted Herod and his ill-intended power.
This is the Word I had on my mind while watching the violence at our Capital on Wednesday. Why? Because I think we all need to be like the wisemen who did not give in to Herod and his attempt to misuse power. What other roads might we as people of faith and honorable, peaceable citizens of America pursue when misuse of power threatens?
By late Wednesday evening I realized anew that I was thankful the Wisemen were indeed wise. Perhaps in these tumultuous times we might relearn the wisdom in pausing amid the urges to act or speak out and instead remember the light of the star. Remember the angelic song of peace. Remember the longing of our hearts for a governance of grace. Even through Herod’s lies, God’s presence does not absent itself. There will always be some Herod whose fear of losing power leads to violence and death. The Wisemen will always remind of us of the peaceable, wise way of going down another road.
Power itself is neutral. We choose to use power for good or ill. In the Epiphany story, Herod choses to use his power to deceive, with ill intent. The wisemen choose to use their power to go home another way.
In the baptism of Jesus, there is a surprising power that often gets missed.
In Mark 1 John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Jesus is out in a wilderness river setting baptizing enormous crowds of people: “And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him” (Mark 1:5) Only people with power draw crowds.
This is an amazing bit of information. ALL the people of Jerusalem and the whole countryside were drawn to this event.
It is easy to miss the significance of this mass exodus. Jerusalem was the beating heart of Israel’s spiritual life. The temple was the place to go to meet God, where rituals of purification by water were already a feature of Jewish devotional life.
But something in John’s message compelled a whole population to leave their religious epicenter for spiritual nourishment. There was some power out in the wilderness, in John, in the baptism he offered. John used power for good. He was a good steward of his power.
Then, Mark tells us (vs 9) “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee” to join the crowds. As the epitome of God’s power, He gets in line for baptism behind the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the poor and powerless. He does not use his power to be in front of the line. Stooping down into the water for John to baptize him, Jesus subjects his power to identify with and enter into relationship with sinful humanity. Instead of holding himself apart, instead of using his power to rise above others, Jesus stepped into the same water we stand in, and wedding himself, reputation, and power, even his destiny to ours. And the voice from heaven confirms him: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (vs. 11)
From this point, Mark will continue on teaching us how Jesus is most unlike us through how he carries the power of God. Where people so often lust for power, seek power, and always want more, Jesus points his power to the service of others. He does not seek power for himself. He does not exalt himself or call attention to himself. Jesus is not only a good steward of power, it is used completely for the well-being of humanity.
In the aftermath of the attempted insurrection and growing news of coming conflicts from similar insurrectionist in our democracy, remember the Wisemen and how they subverted the evil aims of a powerful king. Remember Jesus, who puts himself amidst the crowds of humanity to be subject to the same baptism. Remember and trust that He carries a power that humanity has never been able to accept, embrace and advance for the purpose achieving a peaceable life for all.
