January 2, 2008 -
The Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 2
General Comment: We
are introduced to new characters in this drama:
1. The Magi, Persian
(modern day Iran) soothsayers, readers of the stars of the ancient Zoroastrian
religion.
2. Herod the Great,
King of Israel (47 - 4 BCE), installed as King by the Romans, and whose cruelty
was without bounds, having murdered his wife, three sons, 45 members of
the Sanhedrin (governing council) and anyone else who threatened his power.
One other Matthean
theme that will be evident here and in later chapters is the
connection he will draw between Moses and Jesus - the attempt by
Pharaoh to kill the Hebrew infants in Egypt from which Moses and
others escape (Jesus escapes from Herod); Moses leaves Egypt to a new land
(Jesus leaves Egypt to a new home in Nazareth).
Mathew 2:1-12 The visit
of the Magi
Two years before
Jesus' birth, these ancient astrologers studying the heavens have seen a
new star in its rising. It was widely held in the folk lore of the age
that great events of history including the birth of persons of
significance, would often be accompanied by the appearance of a star, a comet
or the convergence of several planets. With an understanding of the Hebrew
scriptures, the Magi conclude that a new King of the Jews has been born
and, as foreign dignitaries, they have come to pay him homage. They travel
to Jerusalem, the seat of power to seek the place of this new King's birth.
What does power do
when faced with a challenge? Whether it is a despot of Jesus' time or the
institutional power structures of the 21st Century, the powerful, when
threatened with sharing or loss of power, strike back. Even we as individuals
will almost instinctively react badly when our position, authority, property,
or our self esteem is challenged. Any casual student of the past knows how
history is littered with the ashes of challenged power. Fear's
children are terrible weapons.
Herod's place as
King of the Jews had been called into question by the possibility of the birth
of a new anointed King, God's Messiah of the Davidic line of
which Herod was not. Indeed he was only half Jewish and despised by the
common people. He is afraid. All Jerusalem is afraid! He reacts badly. He unconvincingly
welcomes the news while learning from the Magi the exact time of the
star's appearing, and from the Priests and Scribes the place of
this child's birth in Bethlehem. In his feigned devotion, he will send the Magi
to find the child so that he too might "...go and pay him homage."
And as they go, his "final solution" takes shape.
The Magi are led by
the star to the less than modest house where Joseph, Mary and this unlikely
King have made their home. With great joy they kneel before the babe, they
honor him, they present to him the common gifts visiting foreign
dignitaries would take to pay their respects to royalty: gold,
frankincense and Myrrh. Filled with the awe of what they have witnessed,
although not knowing the full extent of its import, they return home by another
way, wisely suspicious of Herod's wish to receive their report.
Matthew 2:13-15 The
Escape to Egypt
As evil deeds were
being envisioned in the Palace of Herod, and unsuspecting parents slept
throughout Bethlehem, God again spoke to Joseph's dreams through the
angelic messenger. Joseph learns of the imminent threat against Jesus, and
though he cannot possibly comprehend it, he flees with his family; he takes the
route many others of Israel had taken in times of famine, war and pestilence in
Israel - to the safe sanctuary of Egypt beyond Herod's reach. In the haste of
their departure, Joseph could not, dared not let himself even imagine the
carnage they were leaving behind.
Matthew 2:16-18 The
Massacre of the Infants
Bethlehem was a
small, quiet village, known for its pastoral role where sheep were raised
to be offered in the Temple during Passover and during the other great
Jewish festivals of Pentecost, Tabernacles, Dedication (Hanukkah) and Yom
Kippur (Day of Atonement). In no small bit of irony, he whom John the Baptist
would one day call the Lamb of God now escapes - for a while, the fate of those
"lambs" of Bethlehem. Herod's power is now secure, or so he thinks,
for within two years, in March/April 4 BCE, shortly before Passover, he
will die a wretched, diseased death, and the power, wealth and Kingdom he
feared would be lost to a helpless child, would be given to others and the
child he thought was dead, would be thriving in the loving care of his
parents, growing up in the upper highlands of the Galilee and as a
testimony to the ultimate victory of God against such evil, would one day be
called by many, Emmanuel, Messiah, the anointed one, the son of God.
Matthew 2:19-23 The
Return From Egypt
God speaks again, as
God does in one manner or another to all who will "listen" with
spiritual intent. It is safe now to return to "the land of Israel."
"Out of Egypt I shall call my son..." the prophet Hosea cries. As
Moses was called out of Egypt and guided to the Promised Land from whence his
forbearers had come, so Jesus returns from "captivity" to a
destiny neither he nor his parents can know. But the guidance of God does
not end there, as it never ends for anyone open to God's silent leadership. Trouble
is still in the air. A new Herod is on the throne, and a ruthless one at that.
Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Samaria, Judaea and Idumea, raised and educated in
Rome will rule his reduced Kingdom until after 10 years of riots, the appearing
of false Messiahs, and bloody persecutions he is exiled to Gaul in 6 CE.
To the north, in quiet Nazareth, the one who would one day be hailed
by his followers as the true Messiah, celebrated his 12 birthday and, according
to Luke, was preparing to travel with his parents to Jerusalem. The powerful
had been brought low - for a time.
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And so it is. A star
appears. Some seek it out, test its meaning, and once understood honor that for
which the star is a symbol. Others also seek it out, but their's is only fear,
rejection of what the star may mean. "I have made my way in life. I am
secure in my status, my position, my self-perceived power. I don't need this
guidance. This star is not for me and I will scorn those who are so weak
they need such a thing." Paul, in a time of affliction, writes of his
hearing the voice of Christ say, "My grace is sufficient for you, for
power is made perfect in weakness." There are mysteries in these old
stories and we are not called upon to apply our rational minds to sort out the
details. We are only called upon, as those trying, haltingly, to follow this
Christ, to listen to whatever small truth might be wafting through the words of
Matthew to bring meaning to our lives.
Tomorrow's reading: Matthew Chapter 3
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