January 6, 2024 

Today's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah. 66:1-20; Luke 3:21-38

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. (Matthew 2:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  These Wise Men, cannot rely only on their own wisdom.  Charts of the stars and notes on astrology would not be able to clarify what this amazing event was, and who it was about.  Look where they end up: in Jerusalem, at the palace of Herod the Great.  

So if they could not rely on their own wisdom, how were they to find the Lord?  The answer is simple: He gave them an epiphany!  “Epiphany” means “to reveal.”  God revealed to them the Savior of the nations.

These Magi from the east had something far greater than human wisdom to guide them.  The Lord led them by a star, and He used His Word to provide godly wisdom.  He gifted them with the wisdom of Christ, that they might find God become Man–the holy Baby resting on His mother’s lap. 

There is the beauty of it all!  These great, powerful men, on their knees, worshiping a Baby.  Before the Child are laid treasures: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  But the amazing thing is that this Christ Child is giving them gifts!  By coming in the flesh, He is opening the treasures of God’s grace and mercy, and ultimately eternal life, to these foreigners.

Christ reveals Himself as God.  As He keeps God’s Law, suffers, dies, and rises again, He is the Light to lighten the Gentiles.  He opens the kingdom of heaven to all believers.  He fulfills His Word, so that now, both Jew and Gentile can receive Him in all of His Word and Sacrament!  Now you can rejoice exceedingly that the Lord does not keep you at arm’s length, but welcomes you to receive His gifts, and thus receive Him!

“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.”

Today you go into [His] house and [see] the Child – our Savior – the King of kings with His Church, and you fall down and worship Him.  As you sit in the pew and hear His Gospel, and again as you kneel at His rail, opening [His] treasures, [He offers you] gifts – Baptism, Absolution, Gospel and Supper!  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles.  Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Pastor Richard Heinz is pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.