Sermons 2025

Text: Matthew 2:1-12 

Theme: Hidden King 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

My dear beloved flock, the text for our meditation today is the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew the second chapter, verses one through twelve.

 Beloved Lambs, I pray that you are doing well today. When you hear about the birth of a child, does that make you happy? I am sure that it does. It means you have a new brother or sister, a new baby to help mom and dad take care of and eventually to play with. The birth of a king is even better. That is a time for a huge, giant celebration, with a grand parade and lots of gifts. It is a very joyous time. That is what the Magi from the East come asking about in our text for today, how do the Magi from the East still proclaim Jesus’ birth as a King today? Ponder that question as you hear the rest of the sermon. You may go back to your seats and those who love you. 

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany simply means manifestation or appearing. We celebrate during this season the manifestation of God in the flesh for us, as shown in the appearing of Jesus Christ, even as a little babe. The coming of the Magi shows us that Jesus Christ is a Savior and King, not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles as well. 

Saint Matthew records that Magi from the East were following a star, seeking the new King that was to be born. We do not know much about these Magi, these Wise Men. We do not know how many there were. We do not know their names, although Church Tradition has given them the names of Melchior, Balthasar (or Balthazar), and Caspar (or Gaspar/Jaspar).

 We know that they were most definitely what we would call nerds today. They were nerds not in the sense of knowing intimate details about strange topics or enjoying rolling dice and playing different personalities. The Magi were nerds in the sense that they tracked and followed the intricate details of the stars, noting their movements and placements every single night, watching for any changes much like an astrologist might today. 

These Magi noticed a special star, one that appeared signaling the birth of a new Judean King. They noticed that it moved and so they followed it. In their following, it disappeared from their sight. They assumed that the Jewish king would be born within the capital. So, they went to Jerusalem, seeking information about the newborn King. Eventually, they got an audience with King Herod. When Herod hears the words of the wise men, he is happy and ecstatic…right? Nope! Happiness is the last thing he was thinking! 

In fact Herod is terrified and not only him, but every person living in Jerusalem with him. Herod was terrified and we can understand that. He’s the current king and here some people from far off lands come and say that there’s a new king, one that Herod does not know about. Herod enjoys ruling the land. Herod will stop at nothing to keep his power. Herod is insane. Herod was paranoid. Later in the story, as we know, he ordered the killing of the babies in Bethlehem. Herod always sought to keep his power for himself, even going so far as to kill his own wife, brothers and sons. Herod’s paranoia was so well known that there was a saying among the people of his day, “It is better to be Herod's pig than Herod's son.” A pig doesn’t live in fear of the sword like Herod’s sons did because Herod kept the Jewish dietary laws so the pig was safe from harm, not so Herod’s sons. 

Herod did all that he could to prevent word from spreading about this new king, or from anyone else who wanted his kingdom. The world tried to do this as well when people crucified Jesus. But…that was God’s plan! Not even death or Satan could stop it, no matter how much they raged. All because in this King, born in a manger, given gifts by Magi from the East, is God’s appearing in the flesh, all to save and redeem the world, us included! 

We see Jesus’ Kingship still among us today. When an adult or infant comes to the blessed waters of Holy Baptism. There they are taken from the domain of darkness, death, and the devil and brought into Jesus’ glorious Kingdom forever. 

We see His epiphany towards us in the Lord’s Supper. There our King comes to us visible, not in a hidden way. Our King deigns to continue to give us His very body and His very blood, in with, and under, the bread and the wine by His own authority, In ways that we can see, taste, touch, and receive, all for our salvation. 

Every time we read the Holy Scriptures, every time we meditate on the Word either in public or private Bible Studies and devotions, Jesus comes to us. As He says, “where two or more are gathered, there am I in the midst of them.” 

Herod tried to hide Jesus by killing him. Thankfully, Herod's plan was foiled. An angel warned Joseph and Mary in a dream and they escaped Herod’s wrath in the land of Egypt. Today, sin wants us to hide Jesus. The devil and the world want us to forget God and His visible grace. They tempt us and pressure us to think that faith is only something that we use on Sundays and what about the rest of the week? It gets put in a box and forgotten about, only to be pulled out on Sundays in Church.

Faith is not merely for Sundays but daily in our lives. This is shown by the Magi. They did not let what Herod or others thought frighten them. The Magi lived their faith daily, not just one day a week. If those wise men had only traveled 1 day a week, it would have taken them much longer to see the child Jesus. When they see him, they bow in worship, pay him the homage that is due to Him, and give him precious and valuable gifts. No one’s plans, not even those of crazy king Herod, can stop God’s plan for our salvation. Jesus is born to save all the world, He is indeed the King of King and Lord of Lords.

Beloved flock, the same is true for you today. You see your Lord revealed for you. Meet with your King where He has promised to meet you, in Church, Word, and Sacrament. You bow before him in worship and spread your faith as you live out your daily lives. Do not try to kill or silence the Word, like Herod did, but joyously proclaim your faith daily to those you meet, that God may work through you to give them His gift. The gift of Jesus for them. 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard, and keep, your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.