January 4, 2026 – Epiphany Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Dear Friends in Christ,
They say that getting there is half the fun. The Wise Men traveled between 500 and a thousand miles to see Jesus. It was a mainly a bumpy ride on camels and over sand. But think of their anticipation. Think of the talk about what they would see when they arrive. Getting there. Half the fun?
The other half, we assume, is supposed to be being there. But once these Wise Men arrive, do you think they found it was worth the trip? They probably thought they were going to cosmopolitan Jerusalem, but they follow the star to the little podunk hamlet of Bethlehem. The King of the Jews? Well, they find he just has a regular dad and regular mom. Now something is different, because they bow down and worship and offer gifts. But then they leave. Probably stayed only a day, just enough to water the camels and head back. There was no party. No time for sightseeing. They come all this way and then just turn back in twenty-four hours . . .
Isn’t this also how we look at our travel? Was the trip worth it? We shell out good money to travel and we want to have a good time. I was blessed to grow up in a family that traveled. Saw a lot of the US of A. Still have five states to go. Have also been blessed to travel as an adult. I would have to say that almost every vacation I have been on, it was worth the trip. How about you? Doesn’t just thinking about travel, bring back some fond memories?
Let’s think of the Wise Men. Be reminded there were at least three but possibly more. What kind of fears did they have as they set off on this journey? First, distance. They were following a star, but they didn’t know how far. Did the camels need a tune-up? Were they watered and well fed? Did the Wise Men have enough provisions? It’s just like us. Did we pack everything? Do we have enough money? Don’t forget the atlas! Is the plane on time? Are the tires inflated? We could go on and on. Do you, like I, still get anxious about travel? My stomach does a few rolls thinking of everything that needs to go right. I and you, need some perspective.
What is a fear some have right now? AI – artificial intelligence. Will it take over my mind? Lead to loss of jobs, human contact, poor business, lack of help and I can’t get the internet fixed because I am only talking to a computer. These are all imagined, because we don’t know. But let me take you back to some other fears, that were imagined, but never came to fruition. The threat from the Soviet Union. They never pushed the red button or sent missiles into Alaska. The year 2000. Computers didn’t go crazy. Jesus didn’t return and you could still program your VCR. Covid. It didn’t last forever. We didn’t all die. You get the picture. It is like me with travel, I imagine what might happen, but rarely does. Then when it does happen, like our adventure getting back from Germany, it is never as bad as you think, and God gives you a story for a lifetime.
Didn’t these Wise Men have a story for a lifetime? They saw the Savior. Sure, there destination was a little off, but only by five or six miles. Not bad after that many miles. The Christ child was nowhere near the glitz and glamor of Jerusalem. He was in humble Bethlehem. Soon enough, he would again be near Jerusalem, but just outside, on a hill near the city walls. He would take our fears, real and imagined. He would pile upon himself our anxieties and our what ifs? He would answer the question: was the trip worth it? Yes, eternally. For it cost us nothing, but it cost him everything. He gave that life so we would be forgiven for our lack of trust. He bowed his head and gave up his spirit so that his death would overcome our death. He rose three days later to announce that our last trip would be worth it. We would make that crossover from sin and pain to light and life and oh my what a destination. We will not believe the beauty. Think of your fellow travelers who you will see again.
If those Wise Men lived another 30 years and heard this biblical account or even saw it with their eyes, think of the truth they could share. I know many of us still have destinations we would like to get to. That’s great. It is nice having something to look forward to. But also see today that place that awaits you in faith. It is on no map or GPS. It is not just a bit of heaven, it is heaven, and I am sure you will say . . . IT WAS WORTH THE TRIP.
Amen.