“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him…” Matthew 2:1-3
Jerusalem “troubled”??? I wonder…did it just seem safer to keep waiting for their king than to finally welcome him? Perhaps the old routine of just waiting on the promise had become too comfortable, while finally receiving it seemed too much of a threat. For in fact, with the advent of promise comes disruptive change.
At a distance, opportunity can occupy one’s interest, something to safely fidget with in the imagination. But when the opportunity actually comes into reach, it could threaten our comfy, familiar routines. Real opportunity comes with risk.
I wonder too, could they have been like us, so focused on biblical principles that they missed the poetry, the song, the metaphor, the surprise? In the reading of the Law, did they overlook the love note? Having heard what the Spirit said, do we miss what the Spirit is saying? They missed their liberation that came in the lyrical slipstream of fresh revelation. While preserving the past they missed divine visitation in the present. Nostalgia neglected the new, and precedent kept them from surprise.
Vibrant tradition had been pointing ahead, providing vision, trajectory and momentum. It handed them a baton to run with, but they made it out to be an anchor. So taken with Torah, they missed what Torah was pointing to. Attentive to the letter, but not the Spirit - the scrolls of dead animal skins, but not living Word made flesh. Words without wonder failed to prepare them for the Spirit overshadowing Mary. Foreigners worshiped, but Jerusalem was troubled. Hmmm.
Aliens could see what bible thumpers couldn’t. Shown to those who studied stars and kept from students of scrolls. They could read Torah, but they could not see the lights above. How is it angels reveal the glory of God for shepherds outside the gates instead of officials gathered in the temple? The clergy and their prophecy charts didn’t get it - the uncredentialed did. The angels with good news came to fields where sheep and shepherds were, that is to say, where the officials were not.
Let’s be honest. We might have missed it too. One day he came, and one day he will come again. So while we remember the first advent and anticipate the second (this in-between time), may we be sensitive to the way he comes to us every day, and in unexpected and ways. Revelation through teenage girls, old folks and angels. The observations and questions of outsiders that get us looking again. Found in the church house and the outdoors. Found in the scriptures - in disruption - in the evening skies and nighttime visitations. Found here. Found now. And it’s worth the trouble.