Matthew 2.1-12 and Isaiah 60.1-6

On this Epiphany Sunday, our Lectionary readings place before us the glorious promise of the nations coming to Christ, a promise given through the prophet Isaiah.  The beginning of the fulfillment of that promise is found in Matthew’s account of the coming of the Gentile Magi who follow a divinely given star, and find Jesus, the Light of the World. They were the first Gentiles to recognize Jesus as the divine King of the Jews, and they embrace Jesus as such, bowing in worship and offering their precious gifts to him.  Little did they know the profound significance of their actions, but as we look back through the eyes of Scripture, they are demonstrating the great and wonderful truth that the Gentiles are included in the Kingdom of God, under the rule of the Savior-King, Jesus Christ. It is this glorious promise of the world-wide kingdom of Christ and its transformative power, that gives us hope and confidence as we strive, by God’s grace and power, to extend the Kingdom of Christ in our community and world.