Revelations
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘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.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“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.” ’
--Matthew 2:1-6
Even the term "revelation" carries weight, a burden of misinterpretation and misconception. So many try to limit this term to a discussion of a cataclysmic end of all things. Simply mention starting a Bible study on Revelation, and immediately folks line up to hear how God's going to end the world, send all the bad people to hell, and rapture up the good folks. And there are more than enough speakers who immediately take the symbology of St. John of Patmos and read into it current affairs and politics.
But that is not what revelation is--and it certainly is not what it is in terms of Gospel. Instead, revelation means God showing his hand (or face) to someone who needs inspiration, guidance, grace, or mercy.
Not quite the stuff of Hal Lindsey or Left Behind.
The story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus gives us a wonderful image of how and why God uses revelation to help us along our way. These strangers from the East see a sign they realize is from God, a God they do not understand or know much about. They do know, though, promises made to a neighboring people, a promise hidden in an esoteric piece of their scripture--A star shall come out of Jacob...(Numbers 24:17). They also interpret this promise as one of healing compassion--this new life will be a life that leads to redemption, peace, and reconciliation on earth and with heaven. So, they bring gifts marking their insight--gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This new life will be powerful; this new life will be a bridge between God and humanity; and this new life will offer itself completely, fully, and without reservation for the task of redemption.
So they come west, seeking this child.
When you look at it, it seems they came on a wish and a promise with no tangible reasoning at all. But that is faith, after all. The truth of the Gospel is that it makes no sense--a savior who cannot even save himself; a fulfillment of God's presence who makes no real presence in the church; and a wisdom based on emptiness that brings fullness. It is ludicrous. The end makes it even more so--the dead savior walks. Sorry, folks, but dead things just don't do that, is the rational response. There are the Magi, though, chasing a star no one seems to notice. They chase it right to the steps of the Temple, and are stunned when no one there knows diddly about it (we churchfolk need to stop right there and ponder these things in our hearts). They are not dissuaded, either by the church's ignorance nor political power's attempt to corrupt the new word. They go, find the child, and offer their gifts, revealing all they know and understand.
And there is the more the excellent way.
Revelation calls for revelation. When we experience the gracious hand of God, we share that graciousness. We live it. We allow it to become who and what we are. We do not try to explain it, we simply pass on the gifts we find within it.
There is no condemnation in any of this work.
Note that--not one iota of judgment, violence, or contempt. The Magi come, reveal what was revealed, offer their gifts, and depart to the next place, probably to continue sharing what they saw and heard from a God they did not know. They condemn no one. They offer no hellfire on the corrupt. They simply meet others in grace.
And they experience joy.
Note that, too--their embodiment of the grace received leads to joy. That can be ours, too. We need to live only by love, the love that leads to offering the gifts of God to anyone we meet along the way. Then fear, anger, and hatred diminish within us. They are replaced by joy--peace, settledness, and wholeness.
That is what revelation is all about.
“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.” ’
--Matthew 2:1-6
Even the term "revelation" carries weight, a burden of misinterpretation and misconception. So many try to limit this term to a discussion of a cataclysmic end of all things. Simply mention starting a Bible study on Revelation, and immediately folks line up to hear how God's going to end the world, send all the bad people to hell, and rapture up the good folks. And there are more than enough speakers who immediately take the symbology of St. John of Patmos and read into it current affairs and politics.
But that is not what revelation is--and it certainly is not what it is in terms of Gospel. Instead, revelation means God showing his hand (or face) to someone who needs inspiration, guidance, grace, or mercy.
Not quite the stuff of Hal Lindsey or Left Behind.
The story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus gives us a wonderful image of how and why God uses revelation to help us along our way. These strangers from the East see a sign they realize is from God, a God they do not understand or know much about. They do know, though, promises made to a neighboring people, a promise hidden in an esoteric piece of their scripture--A star shall come out of Jacob...(Numbers 24:17). They also interpret this promise as one of healing compassion--this new life will be a life that leads to redemption, peace, and reconciliation on earth and with heaven. So, they bring gifts marking their insight--gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This new life will be powerful; this new life will be a bridge between God and humanity; and this new life will offer itself completely, fully, and without reservation for the task of redemption.
So they come west, seeking this child.
When you look at it, it seems they came on a wish and a promise with no tangible reasoning at all. But that is faith, after all. The truth of the Gospel is that it makes no sense--a savior who cannot even save himself; a fulfillment of God's presence who makes no real presence in the church; and a wisdom based on emptiness that brings fullness. It is ludicrous. The end makes it even more so--the dead savior walks. Sorry, folks, but dead things just don't do that, is the rational response. There are the Magi, though, chasing a star no one seems to notice. They chase it right to the steps of the Temple, and are stunned when no one there knows diddly about it (we churchfolk need to stop right there and ponder these things in our hearts). They are not dissuaded, either by the church's ignorance nor political power's attempt to corrupt the new word. They go, find the child, and offer their gifts, revealing all they know and understand.
And there is the more the excellent way.
Revelation calls for revelation. When we experience the gracious hand of God, we share that graciousness. We live it. We allow it to become who and what we are. We do not try to explain it, we simply pass on the gifts we find within it.
There is no condemnation in any of this work.
Note that--not one iota of judgment, violence, or contempt. The Magi come, reveal what was revealed, offer their gifts, and depart to the next place, probably to continue sharing what they saw and heard from a God they did not know. They condemn no one. They offer no hellfire on the corrupt. They simply meet others in grace.
And they experience joy.
Note that, too--their embodiment of the grace received leads to joy. That can be ours, too. We need to live only by love, the love that leads to offering the gifts of God to anyone we meet along the way. Then fear, anger, and hatred diminish within us. They are replaced by joy--peace, settledness, and wholeness.
That is what revelation is all about.
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