NOTES: Holy Moments, Part 3

Sermon: Holy Moments: An Epiphany that Pierced the Darkness

Date: Sunday, December 22, 2024

Text: Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV)

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, 2 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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “ ‘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 shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 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 too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Let’s Connect:

Holy epiphany:

Text Explained:

In one sense, we’re all like the magi (sinners in need of a divine epiphany):

Vs. 1-2:

In His amazing grace, He speaks to them in the stars

This is God coming to them while they’re in sin—-

In fact, He uses it to draw them to Jesus.

John 6:44, “44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…

Matthew invites us to expand our ideas about the kind of people that God can draw out of darkness, and into His light.

Romans 5:8, “8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While we are still stargazing in our ‘astrology and wizardry’ — he dies for us.

————-

Vs. 3-8:

Vs. 9-11:

They “fell down and worshiped” Jesus— this remains the culmination of our longings and search for wisdom and understanding.

Isaiah 60:2-3,

2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

and his glory will be seen upon you.

3 And nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your rising.

The light that led the magi looks ahead to light of the Cross.

John 12:32–33, “32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”

The cross of Christ is our great epiphany that cuts through the sin and all eternity.

2 Corinthians 4:6, “6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Our Take Out:

Holy Moment:

Let the light of Christ guide you into deeper relationship with him and into exceedingly great joy!

Notice at the end of this story…God was still working and revealing to the magi…

12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

1. God is actively working to get your attention to draw you into relationship.

Psalm 43:3, “3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!

2. The revelation of Christ is everything!

John 1:4–5, 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Our Holy Moment:

Shine! Be God’s epiphany to the furthest ‘magi’ in need of Christ.

“We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” ― Madeleine L’Engle

Ephesians 5:8, “8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”