The Light for All Nations

The Light for All Nations

Epiphany – 1/6/2025

Matthew 2:1-12

Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer

That portion of God’s Word for consideration this evening is our reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew in the 2^nd chapter with special emphasis on verses one and two which read as follows:

“Now after 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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Epiphany is a festival of revelation. It is the Church’s celebration that the child born in Bethlehem is not only the Savior of Israel, but the Savior of the nations, even the Light for the Gentiles. And this was not some unexpected revealing, no it is exactly what the prophet Isaiah proclaimed over five hundred years before: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”[2]

That light is Christ Himself. And today, in the visit of the Magi, we see that light drawing the nations to Him.

Matthew tells us that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” These men are Gentiles, outsiders to the promises given to Israel, yet they are drawn by God’s revelation. Isaiah foresaw this moment centuries earlier when he wrote, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”[3] 

Further, the coming of the Light did not leave the world unchanged. Matthew tells us that Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. The true King had arrived, and the false king Herod knew exactly what that meant. Herod ruled by fear, violence, and self-preservation; he was noted to be a particularly paranoid ruler. But Christ rules by humility, truth, and self-giving love. The darkness resists the light, but it does not overcome it.

Herod consulted the chief priests and scribes, who rightly identify Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Christ, quoting the prophet Micah. They know the Scriptures, yet they do not go to see the Savior. Here the contrast is stark: the Gentile Magi travel far to worship Christ in His infancy, while those closest to the promises remain unmoved. Knowledge without faith leaves a person unchanged.

There is a significant distinction to be seen here. Faith can be understood in two ways. That is to say, on the one hand we can refer to a faith which is knowledge of facts of the life of Jesus. The second is a living, daring confidence in Christ and what He has done. The first is simple historical knowledge, like having some trivia facts shoved away in the back of one’s mind. The other is saving faith that trusts Christ above all things and looks to Him alone for salvation.

The priests and the scribes, whose daily business was studying the Scriptures, did not see this prophecy as being fulfilled. They did not go to Bethlehem. They did not see that the purpose of the Scriptures is to give us Christ. In fact, this is a lesson for us to take to heart even now. The Bible is chiefly concerned with Christ and His salvation. It is profitless to read the Bible but miss the main point. And while we may certainly get good advice about how God wishes us to live, to gain this but lose Christ means that it is all ultimately for nothing.

The Magi, however, followed the star until it stops over the place where the child is. Matthew tells us they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. When they saw the child with Mary His mother, they fell down and worshiped

, which is an act of faith. Isaiah again helps us understand what is happening: “They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.”[4]

What Isaiah foretold, Matthew now recorded. The nations come bearing gifts, confessing, whether fully aware or not, that this child is King and God. The gifts themselves proclaim who Jesus is. Gold confesses Him as King. Frankincense confesses Him as God, worthy of prayer and sacrifice. This is because frankincense was used in the Temple as incense.  And myrrh points ahead to His suffering and death, being one of the things used in the burial of our Lord. Even here, at Epiphany, the cross is already in view. The glory of Christ is never separated from His suffering for sinners.

This revelation of Christ to the Gentiles is not an afterthought in God’s plan. St. Paul makes this clear in today’s Epistle. Writing to the Ephesians, Paul speaks of “the mystery made known to me by revelation.”[5] That mystery is this: “the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”[6] 

What the Magi experience in Matthew 2 is the beginning of what Paul proclaims in Ephesians 3. Christ has come not only for Israel, but for all people. There are not two churches, one Jewish and one Gentile. There is one Body, one Lord, one Baptism, one Gospel. As Paul says, this was God’s eternal purpose, now revealed and effected in Christ.

After worshiping Jesus, the Magi are warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they depart to their own country by another way. This, too, is significant. Encountering Christ changes a person’s path. You cannot worship the true King and continue to serve the false kings of this world. And this is why you Christians are a threat to all dictators and despots. You cannot be controlled by corrupt, earthly rulers since you serve the King of kings. The Magi leave by another way because faith always leads to repentance and new life, shown in their obedience in this matter.

Dear saints in Christ, Epiphany confronts us with the same reality. The light has come. As Isaiah says, darkness still covers the earth, but the LORD has risen upon you. Christ has been revealed to you, not by a star, but by something greater: His Word, His Sacraments, His Gospel.

And like the Magi, you are sent out another way. St. Paul reminds us that through Christ we now have “boldness and access with confidence” before God. No fear of Herod or those like him. No fear of judgment. No fear of the nations raging or kingdoms tottering. The King who was worshiped by the Magi has gone to the cross for you and now reigns for you.

Epiphany teaches us that Christ is the Light of the world, the glory of Israel, and the salvation of the nations. He draws all people to Himself, not by force, but by grace. And having revealed Himself to you in salvation and mercy, He sends you out to live in that light until the day when faith becomes sight. We Christians have been gathered in from every corner of the earth, every tribe, every tongue, every place imaginable. And we are one, not by force of human will, but by the gracious will of God.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

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

[1] Matthew 2:1-2 English Standard Version. All further quotations from the Holy Scriptures are from the ESV.

[2] Isaiah 60:1

[3] Isiaah 60:3

[4] Isaiah 60:6

[5] Ephesians 3:3

[6] Ephesians 3:6