Dec. 29 was Epiphany Sunday. Epiphany loosely means discovery. Many churches celebrate Epiphany as the day the Magi or Wisemen, found Jesus. It also is the end of the 12 days of Christmas.
I often wonder about those Magi. The Bible only states that they come from the east. We have no names for them, officially, but around the sixth century they were given the names of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Other traditions have different names.
The fact is these three individuals came from the other empire, Persia. Persia was an empire that rivaled Rome. The two empires fought off and on for over 700 years. It just so happened that at the time of Christ’s birth they were at peace. This gave the Magi ample opportunity to explore.
After reading the many prophecies of a great king being born, watching the skies and paying attention to current events, the Magi set off for Bethlehem. I can’t help but wonder what caused them to take such a dangerous and arduous journey to what would be considered enemy land. Why would they care about another king?
Perhaps it was the readings they read. The prophets told of a King who would bring peace, order and hope. These magi lived in a world that didn’t have much hope. Life was not easy, nor was it always good. To survive was often all you could hope for. Yet these three men, (we assume three because there were three gifts) went to find hope.
It’s amazing what we will do for hope. We will climb mountains and cross deserts to find cures. We will spend as much as we can in the hopes of getting our kids into a good school, or scholarship. Sometimes we search for hope in the wrong places. Hope is why the magi came to Bethlehem.
But I wonder are we as followers of Christ willing to cross deserts to find hope?
How far are we willing to go, not only to have hope in Christ, but to offer the hope of Christ to others? The Magi crossed a very big desert to find hope, to confirm hope for themselves. The church is supposed to help others find hope. Are we doing that?
A new year is upon us, are we willing to do the due diligence that helps others find hope? Are we willing God to church, study the Bible, attend Bible studies? Are we willing to go the extra mile, to offer our cloak, to turn the other cheek? How far are we willing to go to help someone find hope?
2025 can be a year of hope, or a year of despair, it’s up to us. If we follow Christ’s teachings, love our neighbor and above all love God, then we can bring hope. The thing is are we willing to cross the desert to help someone find hope in Christ?
Just a thought.
Shalom My Friends and I hope to see you in church.
Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.
