ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
January 7, 2022
Do you recognize the word magoi? It is the Greek word appearing in Matthew 2:1, the Greek word we have translated as Magi, Wisemen or even King. Now King is a bad translation of the word as it is mostly shaped by a song we sing at this time of the year: We Three Kings. And our word Magi is the English transliteration of the Greek word, yet it has become a part of many people’s vocabulary. The word, according to scholars, describes an ancient class of priestly figures from Persia or Babylon. In their role as pagan priests, they probably interpreted dreams and practiced astrology. The same word is translated in Acts 13:8 as magician or sorcerer. We tend to think of people having a conversion experience, and then coming before Jesus. Yet these folks (we say three, but the scripture is simply plural – so it could be two or two hundred) are curious and wise, capable of reading the night sky so as to notice changes or signs. It appears as if Matthew shares this story, one that is not found in any other Gospel, to point to the allure and power of this enfleshed revelation. You might create three categories of people – 1. Those who most definitely would be drawn to Jesus; 2. Those who might be drawn to Jesus; 3. Those who would never in anyone’s wildest dreams be drawn to Jesus. These Magi fall into category three. For that reason, Matthew tells his first story in the Gospel in such a way as to dislodge the reader from any place of comfort and expectation. It is sort of Matthew’s way of saying, “Hold onto your hat! This ride is going to get wild.” We don’t read it that way today, in part, because of the way it has been told and retold. Maybe we should get ready to lose our hats on this ride.
God, take me on this holy ride of faith. Prepare me to see and receive all there is being made known about you, about life, and what it means to live a life in service to you. Amen.
