Finding Direction.

Any of us can look into the night sky and with very little training find the Big Dipper. Once we’ve found the Big Dipper, you follow the far edge of the open side and it will point you to the Little Dipper.  Once you have found the Little Dipper, at the very end of the handle is a bright star, among the brightest in the night sky.

This bright star is special. Most of the stars rise and fall in the night sky as the earth turns on its axis. But not this one, because from our perspective, it is straight above the very top of the world. It’s always up there. During the day it isn’t visible because of the light of the sun, but it is still there. At night, as long as there are no clouds and you are in the Northern Hemisphere, you can see it. It is always due north, and so we also call it the North Star.

It has been key to navigation as long as people can remember. And it was key for slaves seeking freedom. When Harriett Tubman, the legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad, first escaped slavery herself, she was given a few signs and landmarks to get her to the next stop on her journey. But in case she wasn’t sure, she was taught to find “The Drinking Gourd” as they called it, and by it find the North Star, and by it work her way to safety.

Signs don’t work the same for everyone. Many of us can find the Big Dipper. When was the last time you did? When did you look for the Little Dipper or the North Star?

You’ve got to want direction.

You’ve got to choose your direction.

You’ve got to set your heart and your mind on it and pursue it.

All of that is in play in this passage.

Herod is frightened. Why is he frightened? He is a nominal Jew, by claim of his parents’ conversion, not necessarily his own. He married a princess of the Hasmonean rulers, whose line of kingship had ended when Herod crushed their rebellion to restore Jewish rule. Herod was then put in charge of the region because his parents were connected to Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony – as in Cleopatra fame – who appointed him to his position. He is very much beholden to Rome.

He rebuilt the Temple and developed an extensive complex of plazas and gardens around it to impress Rome, not to praise God. His heart and mind are set on worldly power, which has served him well.

Herod is also old and near death. (His son is the Herod who kills John the Baptist and whom Jesus will call “that old fox.”) Herod is worried about his legacy, which is all knotted up in succession planning. He took his position by violence and has defended it for 30 years or more by violence.

The phrase “King of the Jews” comes across to him as a real threat, another revolutionary to be crushed. And these Magi have come to pay him homage – to worship him. They all think they are special until he crushes them. Herod doesn’t want another Jewish revolt to subdue so he’s anxious to nip this problem in the bud. He’s a wise king and summons his experts to help him hone in on this child.

The chief priests and scribes have knowledge but somehow aren’t ignited by it. They accurately cite Micah 5:2 as the guiding verse, but they are really citing a passage which I’ll share in full:

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
   who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
   one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
   from ancient days.

Therefore he shall give them up until the time
   when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
   to the people of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
   in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
   to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace. (Micah 25:2-5a)

What do we learn from their example? Knowing the scriptures, and even knowing them well, is not enough. You’ve got to follow them, follow them to Him.

These Magi from the east are a different story. They are from outside the machinations of Herod’s reign, and perhaps Roman rule as well. They are clearly aware of Judaism and Israel, but they are not part of it. They are open, seeking and most importantly led, though they do not yet know what precisely is leading them. They just know that they have to follow that star.

And with the gold, frankincense and myrrh we are reminded that these encounters foreshadow the coming conflict and all the way through to the Great commandment and the Great Commission at the very end of Matthew’s gospel.

The powers of this world – money, power and politics – and the structures that give us comfort are disoriented from the Gospel. They cannot apprehend or comprehend it They are threatened by it, even frightened by it because they are no longer in control (as if they ever truly were.) They cannot consider his better way, which is the very best way. They kill him to quiet him. Then he comes back and instructs his disciples:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:16-20)

That is where faith leads; all nations, to the end of the age.

Harriet Tubman was a devout, committed and evangelical Christian. She believed that she was led by God far more than by the stars or landmarks that marked her journeys. She was in constant danger and many people tried to talk her out of returning again and again to lead more slaves to freedom. Her grit and determination, her ingenuity and passion, were put to great use because she submitted herself first to God’s vision.

Every New Year invites us to review ourselves and our lives, looking at ways to improve. This year is more so.

We have a lot to rebuild in front of us. Our lives have been disrupted, we’ve suffered losses and we have much to grieve. We are looking anxiously for relief and restoration of what was and trying to find our way forward to an uncertain future that we will surely have a hand in shaping for the better or for worse.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 2:19)

Remember to look up. Find that star. Set the course for yourself and for your family. Lead them out of bondage, out of enslavement to the wants and desires of this life and put their lives, gifts and talents all in order under that true star.

AMEN