TOPIC: THE MODERN MAGI
C. THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD, MATTHEW
2:1-12, JANUARY 2, 2022
1. STORY
John
went into a large supermarket looking for toothpicks. He went from one end of
the store to the other and looked high and low but could not find them. It was
not surprising as there were literally thousands of items. Finally, he had to
ask one of the staff for help. He was
taken to the far end of the store and on the top shelf was what he was looking
for toothpicks. Just as John needed help so do many need help to find Jesus.
2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 2:1-12
THE
MAGI ASKED. “WHERE IS THE NEW BORN KING OF THE JEWS?’ The Magi, wise men from
the east, were looking for an important person, a king. They needed help in
this quest.
WE
SAW HIS STAR.
The
Magi were helped to find this new king by a star they saw leading them along
their journey. They also received help from King Herod, the chief priests, the scribes,
and the bible. Finally with all this help, they found Jesus and were overjoyed
at their success. They adored him and gave him gifts.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A.
THE MODERN MAGI.
Today
there are many modern magi. They are searching for peace and happiness in their
lives. They are searching for what is the purpose of life. They are searching
for what is right and what is wrong and what they should do and should not do.
Unknowingly, they are searching for a very important person, a king. They are
searching for Jesus. They need help to succeed.
B.
THE MODERN STARS.
The
star, the king, the priest, the scribes, and the bible helped the Magi. Today
we are the star helping the modern magi find Jesus. Here are three suggestions
as how we can help in their quest.
i)
We can PRAY by saying a Hail Mary daily for a relative, friend, or colleague
who is not happy, seems lost, or is lonely.
ii)
We can help the modern magi by our GOOD EXAMPLE by being kind in our speech,
respectful in our attitude, and forgiving to those who have offended us.
iii)
We can help the modern magi by INTRODUCING THEM TO JESUS. Jesus is the king who
can give them peace and happiness. He can tell them the purpose of life. He can
instruct them on what is right and wrong and what they should do and should not
do. Jesus, who is the king, has the power to change the lives of people from
sadness to joy, from turmoil to peace, and from sorrow to happiness. We are the
star who can make the modern magi’s journey a success.
4. CONCLUSION
Just
as John needed help to find toothpicks in the supermarket, so did the Magi need
help to find Jesus. We are modern stars who can help the modern magi find
Jesus. We thank Jesus for his instruction and ask him for help to lead others
to him.
