Magyar Egyház, 2008 (87. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2008-10-01 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 5. oldal Was the Star Shining or only Blinking? Scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-18. Text: “After Jesus was bom in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2. In the Christian calendar January 6th is marked: “Epiphany” and in the past it was considered an important holiday. The Holman Bible Dictionary says: “The term epiphany comes from a Greek word which means appearance or manifestation. In Western Christianity the festival of Epiphany, observed on the sixth of January, celebrates the manifestation of Christ o the Gentiles, the coming of the Magi to see the child Jesus.” May we learn from the Magi as well as from the long journey they had been willing to make from the East to Bethlehem. “WE SAW HIS STAR IN THE EAST The three wise men had not only seen the unique celestial sign but they had been willing also to find out to whom did this star point, therefore they had undertaken a long journey bringing precious as gifts such as gold, incense and myrrh. If we consider ourselves not necessarily as wise as the three wise men had been, but at least intelligent, educated, and experienced, what questions come to our mind?- What SIGN does God give us today to find his Son? Should we also see an unmistakably bright star of which unique appearance can be interpreted as divine revelation? Even if it is not a star but something else, what do we expect? How conspicuous, visible, and recognizable should it be so we will not miss it?- “We SAW the star . . .” Should we notice God’s message through visual observation? Can we also perceive, discover, or search for it? Since we have the Bible should it not be sufficient? Besides the Holy Scriptures can we discern God’s goodness and greatness in nature, history, or in minute happenings of our daily life? Should God use modern communication devices or a soft whisper will do it?- We do not know what the magi had meant by saying: EAST? There is no record that would say from where they had come, how many miles have they had traveled and for how long? The STAR was the START and seeing CHRIST was the END.- What do we expect today? Should we have a short, smooth, well paved road to travel on during daylight, preferably in a new vehicle to meet the Lord? Is God obliged to lead each of us in our preferred way? What about a spiritual journey, from the “falling star of doubt” to the holy city of New Jerusalem?” See Revelation 21:1-3. THE BRIGHTER IS THE LIGHT THE DARKER IS THE SHADOW. We have to give up logic when it comes to divine love and human viciousness. There are questions we cannot answer about the heinous act of King Herod: “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and had given orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” Matthew 2:16. Herod’s jealousy, cruelty, and ruthlessness were like that of the modern dictators.- Did Jesus’ birth precipitate the killings of children? How could God allow that slaughter to happen? Should have the magi asked somebody else? Does innocent children’s blood darken Jesus' birth? Could have the soldier disobeyed that terrible royal order?-1 cannot give answers to these questions, and as far as I know, nobody could offer a satisfying explanation how this massacre could take place? We have only one observation: in contrast to human bestiality there were the divine grace, love, and compassion resting in the manger as a promise for a better future and salvation for men. Seeing both sides, the bright star and the unexplainable human vengeance, we can ask God to offer us such “GUIDING STAR” that leads us in the right direction. Looking at Christ we should see the star through our nurtured spiritual life, clear conscience, and high moral standards, as the Bible says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. Let us start the New Year with the three “R”-s. Scripture reading: Luke 16:19-31. Text: “I think it is right to REFRESH your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body ...” 2 Peter 1:13. It was said that there were three “R”-s that one had to learn well in the school, namely READING, WRITING, and ARITHMATIC. I am sure people were right when they emphasized that these three subjects should be in the center of learning. Can we start this New Year also with the three “R”-s what we consider important in our spiritual life as we face the future? I hope you will agree, as we begin 2009 we should REMEMBER, RENEW, and REFERSH our minds, commitments, and loyalty to God. REMEMBER: "Praise the LORD, 0 my soul, and FORGET NOT all his benefits. Psalm 103:2. Also: "REMEMBER this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6. RENEW: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and RENEW a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. Also: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind." Roman 12:2. REFRESH: “I think it is right to REFRESH your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body ...” 2 Peter 1:13. Also: “I will REFRESH the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25. It would be great if we would refresh our knowledge about that spiritual state what we call heaven. What is our popular belief about salvation that is, being with God after we die?
