The Epiphany of Our Lord – January 6, 2005

Matthew 2:1-14

             “Flee to Egypt.” These three little words are contained in the verse following our gospel lesson this evening. They are instructions from God to Joseph to take Mary and the baby Jesus and become refugees in Egypt. It is necessary they do this because King Herod wants to kill this one known as “King of the Jews.”

             You don’t usually think of Jesus as a refugee, but that is exactly how he spent his early years. It is unfortunate that we forget this part of the story. Here is the very Light of the World, himself. Here is the one wise men had sought and found. Here is the one whose existence threatened kings. Here is the very son of God, an innocent and vulnerable baby, already threatened with death and having to flee.

             The quake-tsunami event of the past two weeks comes to mind as I think of Jesus as a refugee. The huge and pounding waves killed tens of thousands and left many, many more homeless and struggling just to survive. Now, disease, dirty water, lack of food and medicine will also take its toll. Thousands who managed to survive the tsunami will have only survived it to perhaps die anyway.

             You and I can make a difference. You and I can give a small portion of our wealth and literally make a difference for many. Lutheran World Relief and our ELCA are both on the scene and making a difference. A contribution by us, that we would hardly miss, can save so many others. It is not a time for used clothing. It is a time for a monetary gift. It doesn’t need to be large. Many are contributing. Just join the group.

             Why should we give? On this Epiphany day when we celebrate that Jesus is the Savior shown to all four corners of the world, we give because God has first given to us. In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the son of God, God has given to us first. God has given you a future, a hope, another life like no other. We give in thanksgiving to what God has first done for us.

             Now, some would tell you to give because the devastation is so great. You can argue that. The disaster is terrible beyond our ability to comprehend. But the severity of the tragedy is not an adequate basis to decide to help another in Jesus name.  Only when you know what God has done for you in the cross do you have a reason to give.

             Some would say, and a lot have, that we should give because we have so much. Perhaps they are right. When Janet and I used to visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina on vacation I was always struck by the huge homes built on the beach, the places you rent for twenty people when the family wants to gather. These are homes costing ten times or more than the house we live in on Marian Place. And you know that this is not the primary residence of the people who own it. It is their second or third or fourth house or more. We do live in a wealthy nation, even if we don’t want to admit it.

             However, that is not the reason to give help to the victims of the tsunami. Only when you know what God has done for you in the cross do you have a reason to give.

             Some would say you should give because it will assuage your guilt. You know that line; give so that you won’t feel bad later. It is a good argument. We who have so much do feel guilty when we realize we are hoarding our stuff and building bigger barns to put it in so that we can somehow save ourselves. But, as scripture points out, it does not work. “Eat, drink and be merry,” we are told may turn into “your soul is required of you this very night.” All the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men couldn’t put Humpty together again. And the nursery rhyme tells us the truth that by our own devices we cannot save ourselves. Guilt is a blind alley to producing gifts for the victims of the tsunami.

             Guilt is not a reason to give. Only when you know what God has done for you in the cross do you have a reason to give.

             Perhaps the most interesting part of this evening is that we know that not only Jesus did flee to Egypt; not only have tens of thousands died and are others are yet in peril in South Asia, but we ourselves are refugees. You and I are refugees in this place we call earth. We look to the new kingdom of Jesus for our eternal dwelling. Staunton is not our final place. We pray each day, “Thy kingdom come” and we know that this is only our home for a fleeting moment and that Jesus holds for us a place at his banquet table, in his kingdom yet to come.

             In thanksgiving for that future; in thanksgiving for the gift of the cross, we give in the name of Jesus to help those who have survived the tsunami to rebuild their lives. Thanks be to God that we have the opportunity. I pray that we will not be found unfaithful. Amen.

• Pastor Robert F. Holley