Wise men still seek him.

Steve Brown:
Wise men still seek him. Let’s talk about it, on Key Life.

Matthew Porter:
This is Key Life. We’re here to let you know that because of what Jesus has done, God will never be angry at you again. Steve invited our friend Justin Holcomb to do the teaching this week. Justin is an Episcopal priest, an author, and professor at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Steve Brown:
Thank you Matthew. We have a great week planned for you. And you’re going to be glad that you’re a part of it. Dr. Justin Holcomb, who is also a Bishop and requires that I kiss his ring regularly is here with me because our programming people decided it would be good because Jesus is big on the church, that we recognize some of the major events that are a part of the church year. An Epiphany is one of those. If you don’t know what that is, you’re going to learn from Dr. Holcomb this week on Key Life. Before we study, let’s pray and then we’ll get down. Father, we come into your presence thinking about the Church. The Church that is loved by you with all of the wrinkles and the spots and the messes. And someday we’ll be clean before the throne. Meanwhile, Father, we come to you as sinners greatly in need of your grace and your mercy. And so pleased that you always give it. Father, we pray for this week on Key Life as we learn and grow and become different and more like Jesus. And we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Hey Justin.

Justin Holcomb:
Hey Steve.

Steve Brown:
Justin Holcomb is an amazing guy, and when you want to know stuff that you don’t know, I don’t know of anybody I want to go to more than Justin. As I said, he’s a Bishop of the Central Florida Diocese of the Episcopal Church. How do, formally, we recognize you? What do I call you? Your eminence?

Justin Holcomb:
Well, the stuff you’ve been calling me not on air works just fine. Technically, like in conversation, Bishop Justin, Bishop Holcomb. Just Justin’s fine, I don’t mind. But if you’re asking for titles, formally, when you’re writing something, it’d be the Right Reverend Dr. Justin S. Holcomb. So, but you, in the next Christmas card you send me, I’d like to see that on the address.

Steve Brown:
All right. We’re going to look at the event of Epiphany. And if you’re a part of the Free Church, you probably are not sure exactly what that is, so we’re going to learn. But before we do that, because this is a ministry based in Scripture, let me read to you the 2nd chapter of Matthew, the first few verses.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'” When Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I may come and worship him.” when they had heard the king, they went their way. And lo, the star which had been seen in the east went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Justin Holcomb:
So, this is a classic passage for Epiphany. And so, real briefly on what Epiphany is, the Greek word for Epiphany means manifestation or appearance. And the focus of Epiphany is there’s, the feast of epiphany is January 6th that marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. And it’s frequently in many traditions, the season from Christmas to Ash Wednesday. So, there’s a few weeks there. And the big theme is the manifestation of Jesus Christ for the world to the world. It’s God’s revelation in Jesus Christ for not just the Jews, not just Israel, but for the world. And so, it’s God revealing Jesus’ identity and God’s and Jesus’ mission to all people in the world. This is the promise of Abraham that, Abraham was to receive the special promise of being God’s people, and they were to be a light to the nations. And so, this passage is the kind of go to passage about Revelation, about the mission for the nations, and light and darkness. And so, that’s why this passage is always read. But looking at this passage, I mean, it’s the wise men. These, this is a shocking passage. These were astrologers. These were not faithful, God fearing, these are people who are looking at stars and trying to figure out, what’s happening and dividing the future. And so, it’s just the shock of people that we wouldn’t think. When you look at the Bible, usually the pagans are the ones who are on the receiving end of God’s judgment because of the horrific things

Steve Brown:
the bad guys

Justin Holcomb:
they’re doing to God’s people. Here, you have God saying, I want them, I want them so badly, I’m going to reveal and draw them through their context of what they have in front of them and bring them to my Son.

Steve Brown:
Oh, man.

Justin Holcomb:
So, the initial, this is just a beautiful thing of the heart of god for the nations, which is helpful for us to think through and be aware of, the other piece about this, I’m going to kind of throw some things out and we can kind of just explore. So, it’s the all nations, many people promise that was, that didn’t start with Paul in Acts, you know, where Paul says, Hey, I’m going off to the Gentile. That started in Isaiah, this has always been God’s vision for his people, Israel for the nations, and now his people, the church for the world. The other piece about this that just jumps out in, I love the reading, they were overjoyed. And so, you see God takes the initiative, brings people who we wouldn’t expect to him, their response is overjoyed, exceedingly happy, the spontaneous and freely worshiped a baby, like this is, they were probably shocked. So, we’re shocked that they’re there. They’re probably showing up, where’s this king? And they show up and they’re like, this was it. And so, they’re worshiping. They’re bowing down in reverence and worshiping a baby. It says, bow down and worshiped him. And I just love the fact that it tells us about their internal, what they were thinking. They’re so joyful to show up and see this unexpected thing. And so, this mission, God’s mission is inclusive. And so, we can explore a few different things on this, but that’s the heartbeat of Epiphany. And we’ll unpack some more passages later, but I mean.

Steve Brown:
That’s so God.

Justin Holcomb:
Some of us are the churchy people who think, okay, we need to hear the pagan astrologers, God’s going to draw them. Some of us were the pagan astrologers who got drawn and are just happy to be there. And so, we can apply this however we need to.

Steve Brown:
Oh, that is so, it breaks the mold where we want to put God in the box. And he never fits in that box. Little gods do little things. Big surprising gods do big and surprising things. If I were God, I would have found a believer somewhere and have them bring cookies.

Justin Holcomb:
I would have found a God fearing Jew who knew the Scriptures backwards and forwards, could quote it in all these different languages, and God had to do that months before because they had to travel a long way. The commitment they had to do this travel and then they get there and they’re like, wait a second, we’ve been looking for this baby before this baby was even conceived most likely. And they kind of get the veil pulled back and realize God’s up to something. And so, it really is a beautiful picture of God’s heart for his world. He’s angry that Satan did what he did and he is intentionally peeling off the fingers of Satan and saying, no, this is my world and these are my people and I’m going to get them.

Steve Brown:
Oh man. You know, the God of the, if you’re not astonished. And you do that for me, Justin, in your teaching. You always see things behind the things I’ve seen in the past, and I’m going, whoa! And if we don’t ever go, whoa, we’re not, we’re worshiping an idol, aren’t we?

Justin Holcomb:
Absolutely. We can’t domesticate God, and when we try to, we end up creating and domesticating a God that we’re comfortable with, and if we’re comfortable with almighty, holy God, who’s also patient in, unless we’re rattled is an idol.

Steve Brown:
Oh, so good. So, I told you, you’d learn something. I did too. You want to be sure and be here all week. You think about that. Amen.

Matthew Porter:
Thank you Steve Brown and Justin Holcomb for that timely teaching. And great news. Justin will be discussing this topic of Epiphany through Thursday. So, hope you’ll join us on this special week long journey. Well, if you’re a regular listener to Key Life, then you already know the name, Justin Holcomb. And if you’re new, well, now you know why we love him so much. Justin has written a unique 365 day devotional called God With Us. Each day features a passage of Scripture paired with an excerpt from a classic theologian, author, or pastor, all focused on the person and work of Christ. I have this book, I love it, and I know you will too. That’s why for a donation of $15 or more to Key Life, that book is our gift to you. Just call us at 1-800-KEY-LIFE that’s 1-800-539-5433. You can also e-mail [email protected] to order that book. Or to mail your request, go to keylife.org/contact to find our mailing addresses. And finally, if you’re blessed by the work of Key Life, would you help share that blessing with others through your financial support? Giving is easy. Just charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or simply text Key Life to 28950 that’s Key Life, one word or two. It doesn’t matter. Text that to 28950. And of course, if you can’t give right now or maybe you’re not supposed to, we get it. But if you think about it, please do pray for us, would you? Key Life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada. And Key Life is a listener supported production of Key Life Network.