For Those Who flee
Updated: 15 hours ago
The second Sunday after Christmas
Matthew 2:1-12
On the eve of Epiphany, we hear the story of the Wise Men. These men represent the people of the world. Up to this point, no one outside the family, the shepherds, and the locals, knew what had happened on Christmas Day. But the Magi knew that the Messiah was born.
Putting ourselves in the room with the Wise Men, imagine for a moment the surprise on Herod’s face when the Wise Men spill the beans about the King of the Jews. “Where is the child who HAS been born king of the Jews?” The Herods tended to be suspicious and jealous leaders. I can almost hear the cogs of his brain turning. “I am the King of the Jews. I don’t have a recently born son. Who is this child that is threatening my position? Tell me now!”
Our passage today takes us to the point where the Wise Men pay Jesus homage. (A ceremony by which a person acknowledges themselves the vassal of the lord.) After paying homage, the Magi have a dream and choose to take a different road home. Joseph also has a dream, and he packs up the family and goes to Egypt. Then, Herod sent his army “and killed all the children … two years old and under” in an attempt to eradicate his kingly competition.
There is a difference between running away from your problems, and escaping abuse or fleeing for your life. When you run from your problems, but you are a large part of the problem, then you bring your issues with you, and you are likely to end up in another situation with similar problems. I can think of people who have untreated mental illness, substance abuse, or a personality that invites trouble, such as immaturity. With such issues, you can run across the country, trying to find a new start, but the likelihood of getting a fresh start is only as good as your ability to form healthy relationships.
For those who flee because they are in danger, it is a different story. You may escape a marriage because your spouse is abusive, and refuses help. You may flee your home or even your country because your government is corrupt, or gangs are out of control. People in these situations flee, not because they want to but because they have to.
If we look at our story from Matthew, I’m not sure how different the migration of the Holy Family is from many of those who are seeking asylum at our borders and the borders of many other countries. These people are looking for the same thing we already have: security, safety, peace, joy, a job that pays the bills, and a place to raise their family.
I believe it is important for us to see this connection. The issues at the border may not directly affect our day-to-day lives, but I understand that it does affect those who need agricultural help or communities that are overwhelmed by the need. Believe me, I desire strong borders, but I also want people to be recognized and treated as fellow humans. Unlike the media portrayal, the vast majority of asylum seekers are not criminals. They're people fleeing for their lives and are willing to die to do so. The criminals on the other hand have other means to get into our country.
Let’s reorient ourselves back to the story. There is a technique that is often useful in reading biblical stories, and that is to find the character that we can most align with. I think it is fair to say that most of us have not fled for our lives, like the Holy Family. Most of us have not been rulers of a kingdom, like Herod. This leaves the Magi. Though we may not be as wealthy, touring around with an entourage, many of us do travel. We like to see new things and explore different cultures. Even if we haven’t been to exotic or foreign places, we likely read about them or dream about them. In some way, even if we haven’t thought about it before, in this story, we are more likely able to see ourselves in the shoes of the Magi.
Without getting into the theory of the Magi, who they were, how many, or even where they were from, is all speculative. But what our story tells us is that they saw something in the sky that everyone else overlooked. It was a star. And stars do not just appear to a special few people. They are in the sky for all to see. We should probably assume others saw the star but were not curious enough to follow it or didn’t understand how unusual this star was.
I’m thinking about the old searchlights that they put out at businesses for grand openings or when they offered special sales. As a kid, I would occasionally convince my parents to follow it to its destination. Sometimes it would be a car dealership or a nearby farm that had the most amazing Halloween costumes and decorations. So, I can only imagine that the Magi found this star intriguing, and they followed it. To embark on a journey such as this, would take some sacrifice. You had to sacrifice time. You were likely vulnerable, traveling through countries and territories where you didn’t speak the language. It must have been a very different experience than sitting on the couch scrolling on their phones.
By the end of this arduous journey, these Magi were not disappointed. They found what they were looking for, a new king. These men would likely not have cared about the religious aspect this would bring to Judaism or Porto-Christianity. They seem to know that this birth was an important event in their cosmology. They went on faith, that this sign would lead them to something spectacular, and they were not disappointed.
This makes me wonder how many signs are out there, just waiting for us to pay attention to, to see, not in our periphery, but focus on and follow. Then I also wonder why some people seem to be more compelled to take a chance and to go see this thing – whatever that thing is, while others simply don’t want to find out what they are being called to.
For me, the Magi are inspirational. They leave everything behind, even if only for a while, to see what God might be doing in their lives. These men were likely priests in Zoroastrianism. When they return home, to the life they had, I’m sure that they were changed forever. I think I can safely say this, for I become changed by my travels. I gain understanding, empathy, and a love for people whom I didn’t understand as well before.
While it is safe to say that my travels have never led me to the Messiah lying in a manager, when I engage people who are different than me, I am also changed. When I step out and follow God’s call, I am changed. I admit that I don’t always jump at the chance to follow God’s call. Sometimes, I procrastinate or make excuses not to follow. But when I have followed, I have never been disappointed, no matter how much I changed in the process.
I am confident that God is calling each of us, to follow a star, a dream, or a feeling that comes from deep within. If you have never followed these feelings, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and give it a try. Maybe you will meet Jesus along the way.