When we attempt to learn something brand new, we are never all that good at it at the beginning. I’ve been watching my boys with new video games they got for Christmas. It takes them a while to get the hang of it. Also, with our children, we have helped them with reading, mathematics, and other school work. They start slow and then eventually start working faster and more efficiently. It takes times – we have to start slow.

I had to start slow when I was learning Biblical Greek. I’m still relatively “slow” with Greek. But I remember as I was just starting to learn Greek, we would be reading along in our Greek New Testaments and we would get to this word in class. The word was, “Idou.” In Greek it means BEHOLD. It’s an emphatic behold that draws our attention to something great or important that is coming. But what I remember most about this word is that when we would translate “Idou” in class, we would translate it literally – BEHOLD! Our professor at the time said that would be fine – but in most circumstances we might want to say “Look” instead of “behold” because the word “Look” is used more often in today’s language. Either way it means the same thing.

LOOK! Magi from the east appeared in Jerusalem. It’s meant to be emphatic!! LOOK, open your eyes. LOOK, there is something to behold. LOOK, can you believe it? This word always jumped out at me and the class that was just learning Greek. We were not real good at translating because we were just starting out – but we were really good at knowing this one word. And we would say it with a special inflection --- LOOK! BEHOLD!

It was easy for Matthew as well. But, it wasn’t because it was an easy word to write that he used it here in the text set before us on this Festival day of the Epiphany. We have been studying the Gospel of Matthew in Adult Bible class on Sunday mornings. If you have not had the chance of joining us, you may want to. Matthew is an excellent book to study and we will be getting deep into the rich meaning of this Gospel. One of those things we have been studying is that Matthew was writing to his own people, the Jews. The Jews always had the proper understanding that they were God’s people. God would come to the Jews. But, surprising enough, God would also come to the Gentiles, those of “non-Jewish” origins. And so, as Matthew is writing to the Jews so that they may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, he says, “Behold – Look” there are Magi coming.

What a surprise! Can you believe it? Gentiles are coming to pay homage to the King of kings. Non-Jews are coming to bow before the King of the Jews. And besides all of this, Matthew wants all of his readers to make sure to note this significant event. This King would not only be King of the Jews, but the King of the Gentiles as well. LOOK at it – says Matthew. BEHOLD it – with your eyes. This King is quite significant. This King is qualified. This King is the Messiah worthy of men traveling great distances bearing great gifts worthy of a king.

I think we know why the story of the Magi, gentiles who travel great distances to bring gifts to Jesus, is important. It’s quite simple. This day of Christmas is specifically for us. It’s for you and me. It’s the day that our Savior is known as the “light of the world”. It’s the day that the light, Jesus Himself, shines brightly to all people. This is the Christmas celebration where the man Jesus is made known to the world as God as these Magi bore gifts for Him.

But who were these Magi? As we studied in Bible class we know that they were not kings but most probably “servants of kings.” We often times hear them called “wise-men” but they weren’t necessarily “wise” in any “learning” or “piety” sense of the word either. The Magi did not worship the God of Israel. As a matter of fact they oppressed the people of Israel, and they were in league with a supernatural power that opposed the one true God (Gibbs, Concordia Commentary, CPH, page 125). If this is what the Magi are all about, then what are they doing there?

The same thing we are doing here – and more!! By what we are and who we are, we are not worthy to stand before our Lord and present our gifts to Him. That’s why it is surprising to those who think they have all of what God offers. Therefore, Matthew needs to say, “LOOK!” The Magi are not expected, but the Magi are there. They are there because they saw the light.

I really don’t think this is all that much different than what is presented before us today. The dark world that presents all kinds of “worship” options – from false gods that are called gods to other abuses that are supposed to help you forget about life’s troubles for a little while. It doesn’t matter if it’s the god that is sensitive to all beliefs, no matter how heretical they may be, or the attempt to get God out of the life’s equation all together. The dark world doesn’t see the same light.

And that is why Matthew again will say to us “Look!” “Idou!” “Behold, the star, which they had seen in its rising, began to lead the way for them until it came and stood above where they child was.” Again, it’s something marvelous. It’s something miraculous. It’s something to “behold.” It’s the star that shows the way. It’s the light in the dark world – and these gentiles followed it. I wish there was a star to show all people where Jesus is. I just wish there was a shining light out there guiding and directing the world to the right place. This world is dead without Jesus. There was a star for the Magi, why can’t there be a star for us?

Oh but there is. There is a star for us. It’s just that the world chooses not to see it. The star no longer shines brightly over the place where Jesus lay. The star, today, is Jesus Himself. Many of us will think, “That’s not good enough. I want something I can see. I want something I can go to show my unbelieving neighbor so they can know what we believe and trust is really true.” Dear fellow Christians, for you and your neighbor, we have just that.

Behold! Look! Feast your eyes on what the Lord has given to you. God has given us something timeless that cannot be denied. It’s sitting before us. It’s being heard by our ears. It’s called The Holy Bible. God’s Word is His revelation to each and every one of us. God’s Word is put into place, used at worship, used to show us how to live our lives, and used to show us that Jesus lived His life for us so that we might SEE and BEHOLD our Lord. It’s just that all those who desire not to believe do not want to see what is clear and plane before the world. I would contend, in the same vain, if a star would be shining today, for all to see, above the place where Jesus stood, the world would still choose another explanation. The world loves to look the other way when it comes to the truth.

So what do we do? Keep on showing the world the truth. Go back to the star! Go back to the Word of God – His revelation among His people today. Show the unbelieving world what Jesus says. Be reminded of what our Lord has done for each of us as He continues to show us how much He loves His world. This star – the Word, shows us more than just the place. It shows us the means by which our Lord would carry out the tasks of making our life secure in the arms of a Lord who would die for you. This star – the Word – is so much better than an illuminating object overtop the Savior. Our star shows us Jesus completely, His death and our precious gift of life. This is our star and it’s better than the Magi’s star. It’s your star.

The world may choose to look away. But none of us start out as “Mature Christians.” It takes time. It takes time to get the hang of a trade, a skill, of reading and so on. It takes time. But in time, grow in the gift. Grow in His revelation. Help grow others by sharing. Look! Behold! The Lord is at hand! He has shown us who He is. He is our bright star that illuminates our lives forever. Jesus is still before us. He is our Epiphany King. Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.