Far and Near
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Herod was in Jerusalem, near the Temple, surrounded by the liturgy and rhythms of Judaism. He knew, at least in part, the theological history and eschatological expectations of the Jewish people. If anyone was in a place of spiritual opportunity and privilege it was Herod.
The Wise Men were from the east. We assume they lived in the territory where the once mighty Babylonian Empire was central. The religion was pagan. The worship was pagan. They, among all the peoples of the world, lacked the intimate knowledge of Judaism, its temple worship, and its Messianic expectations.
So, it is shocking to see the Wise Men take what little light they had been given, act on it in faith, and make the harrowing journey to Jerusalem and then Bethlehem to deliver gifts to the infant Jesus and worship before Him. The greatness of their faith is noticeable as it stands beside the unbelief of Herod.
This is not a one-off story. It has always seemed to be the case that often those who have the advantages of a spiritual heritage and geographical nearness to the gospel seem to squander those blessings away in unbelief. Conversely, those who can only hear the gospel call as a whisper, or a distant song are most ready to respond.
The kingdom of God will be filled with those who will rejoice in the grace of Christ that called prodigals like themselves home, while the elder brothers who lived their earthly lives close to the Father’s house while clinging bitterly to their unbelief, will, in the end, find themselves outside of it in the dark.
