January 5, 2025

Indianola Presbyterian Church, Columbus

      “Defying Herods”

       by Rev. Trip Porch

January 5, 2025                                                                                                                                  Based on  Matthew 2:1-12 

January 6th is a date that's etched in my memory. Ever since the 2021 insurrection at the capitol, I see the date January 6 on my calendar and immediately the images of people violently breaking into the seat of our nation continue to echo in my mind. I remember on the day it happened being struck by the realization that the day of this coup attempt also happened to be Epiphany in the Christian calendar. The Holiday in the church where we celebrate the arrival of the magi who came from afar to pay homage to the newborn king Jesus.

When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, I remember thinking it was a poignant contrast to what we saw on January 6th. Two kinds of power on display, and two kinds of strategies to protest: In epiphany we see the world recognize who divine authority looks like: the humble, loving life-giving power of God revealed in Bethlehem and on the same day at our nation’s capital: we saw the violent, self-serving power of this world.

I remember reading the epiphany story that day, the scripture we just read. And noticing as if for the first time the other character in the story. King Herod. The despotic ruler of Roman occupied Judea. How Herod welcomed the magi to his palace to learn why they'd travelled so far.

How he learned of the prophecy of a new king for the Jews and immediately became jealous and afraid of losing power. How Herod asked the magi to come back to the palace if they found the child and report on his whereabouts. But how the magi saw through this, and after they found the Christ child, and honored him, they decided to "go home by another way," with a path that would avoid King Herod. And how after all of this, Herod enacted a decree that mandated the slaughter of children to keep this child from rising to power and overthrowing him.

I read this story as I watched the terrible events of January sixth, and it was a vivid reminder to me that there are still Herods in this world. Leaders who desire control, loyalty, and the propagation of fear. Yet, I think the story of the magi in Matthew 2 calls us to a different way—to leave Herod behind and courageously preserve the light of Christ through our civil disobedience.

I think it’s important for us to remember some historical context to better understand this story... First, we should remember that the Jesus’ birth story is such an ingrained part of our tradition of Christmas, that it is easy to misunderstand why they are significant in their historical context.

We hear this story on its own and think it’s important because it’s unique. Like no one else had such noble divine birth stories told of them—only Jesus—so he's the winner—no!

The significance of Jesus' birth story is that there VERY MUCH WERE others who had noble birth stories told of them—the Roman Caesar in particular—the most powerful person in the known world.

Special, virgin births with angelic announcements were a thing in ancient biographies about important people. It was actually fairly common to have miraculous circumstances describe powerful person or hero’s birth story to demonstrate that they were destined by God from the beginning to be powerful or a hero.

The Christmas stories of Jesus' “noble birth” are subversions of the “noble birth" stories that were told of the Roman Caesar. The intent of the gospel writers is clear. They are trying to tell the story that Jesus is an alternative King to the Roman Caesar, with an alternative Kingdom to the Roman Empire—not a power-hungry tyrant born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but a humble teacher of love, born in a manger—not a violent empire that claims peace, but a non-violent commonwealth that practices what it preaches.

As we go a step down the power hierarchy in the 1st century Roman Empire, below the Caesar is the Local Governor of 1st Century Palestine who does the Caesar's will (in exchange forgetting to be King of his own area, as it were). This Local "king" Governor was called Herod.

So, it’s important as we read Matthew's story, to keep in mind that Matthew is drawing intentional anti-empirical contrast. On one side you have the authority of Herod and Caesar and on the other Jesus, the complete opposite of empire, a humble infant King of peace called to usher in an alternative kingdom of love.

And in between, in the epiphany story today... there's the magi. Foreign dignitaries who come from a faraway country to honor the authority not of Ceasar or Herod, but a peasant baby who will lead a new way. These "Wise ones" who thwart Herod's fear driven governance peacefully and non-violently, and in so doing, show us what it looks like to live defiantly, and in resistance to corrupt power.

What real defiance and resistance look like is not violent insurrection, but peaceful, intentional action that thwarts tyrants. The magi demonstrated this when they "went home another way," quietly yet boldly refusing to support the schemes of Herod.

Their act of civil disobedience was a powerful statement, undermining the authority of a fearful ruler without lifting a single sword.

As we step into a new year, may we find the courage to follow their example. Let us commit to honor the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and not the empires for this world. Let us make our aim to defy the Herods of our time with wisdom, compassion, and steadfast commitment to justice. Whether through advocacy, peaceful protests, or simple daily choices that honor the way of Christ, we can engage in the kind of Good and necessary trouble that brings light to dark places. And as we journey forward, transformed by the light of Bethlehem, may we commit ourselves to continuing the work of the Christ child's kingdom.
building a world where justice not corruption, peace not violence, and love not fear reign.

Amen.

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE

PRELUDE                                                                        “In the Bleak Midwinter”                                  arr. Philip Keveren 

INTROIT                                "We Three Kings"                             John H. Hopkins Jr. 

WELCOME                                                                   Rev. Trip Porch

All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

*CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Arise, shine, for your light has come!

All: The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.

One: Like the magi, we have seen the star and followed its light.

All: We come to worship Christ, the true King, with hearts open to his call.

One: Let us respond with gifts of praise and devotion.

All: And let us choose to walk defiantly in the way of justice and love.

One: Come, let us worship the Lord our God!

*HYMN 853                     “Siyahamba” (We Are Marching in the Light of God)       SIYAHAMBA

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                        Michael Ayers

Eternal God, wondrous star, A light which no darkness can overcome, drive out the sin in our hearts. Forgive us for turning from your way, for denying your truth, for resisting the life you would have us live. Refresh us and restore us. Focus us on the brilliant light of Jesus Christ that we may more clearly see him and choose to closely follow his way, this day and every day. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON 

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE 583            “Gloria, Gloria”                                        GLORIA (Taize)

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                       

One:   The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

All:      And also with you.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

ANTHEM                              “Christmas Joy”                                       Mark Schweizer

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-12 VOICE

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in the province of Judea, at the time when King Herod reigned. Not long after Jesus was born, magi, wise sages from the East, made their way from the East to Jerusalem. These magi made inquiries wherever they went:
“ Where is this newborn, who is the King of the Jews? When we were far away in the East we saw His star, and we have followed its glisten and gleam all this way to worship Him.”
King Herod began to hear rumors of the wise men’s quest, and he, and all of his followers in Jerusalem, were worried. So Herod called all of the leading Jewish teachers, the chief priests and head scribes, and he asked them where the Hebrew tradition claimed the long-awaited Anointed One would be born.
They searched and found an ancient Hebrew prophet, Micah, who said this:
    “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are no poor relation—
    For from your people will come a Ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.”
Herod called these Magi to him, demanding to know the exact time the special star had appeared to them. Then Herod sent them to Bethlehem, telling them: “Go to Bethlehem and search high and low for this Savior child; and as soon as you know where He is, report it to me so that I may go and worship Him.” The Magi left Herod’s chambers and went on their way. The star they had first seen in the East reappeared and led them to the house where Jesus lay; and as soon as the wise men arrived, they saw Him with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They unpacked their satchels and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And then, the Magi had a dream that warned them not to go back to Herod. The wise men heeded the dream. Ignoring Herod’s instructions, they returned to their homes in the East by a different route 

Holy Wisdom, Holy Word

Thanks be to God                                                                                                      

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE                                                                  Jeremy Carroll

SERMON                                                                                 Rev. Trip Porch                                                                                                                                            

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN                          “How Can We Sing a Joyful Song”                          O WALY, WALY

1 How can we sing a joyful song?
O God, our sorrows hem us in.
When pain and grief seem all too strong,
How can we sing a joyful hymn?

2 The world around finds songs to sing
Of laughter, mirth and happiness,
But these sound false and even sting
When what we feel is deep distress.

3 And yet, O God, we dare to sing
For in our grief, we're not alone.
You love this world and entered in
By sending us your only Son.

4 You sent us hope — Emmanuel!
O God-with-us, you bore our pain.
And so we sing, for all is well!
In Christ, we will be whole again.

TIME OF OFFERING   online giving is available at  www. indianolapres.org/give

OFFERTORY                        "The Coventry Carol"                                arr. Kevin Olson

COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP   

    Song During Distribution 525      “Let Us Break Bread Together”     LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Loving God, we give you thanks for this feast of grace. As we have been nourished at your table, send us out with courage to follow your light, resist injustice, and proclaim your love. Strengthen us for the journey ahead, that we may live as your faithful people. Amen.

*HYMN 744                                 “Arise, Your Light is Come”                              FESTAL SONG

TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING

CHARGE & BENEDICTION  

CHORAL RESPONSE               “In the Bleak Midwinter”                                         Gustav Holst

POSTLUDE                            "Searching for a Star"                          James Michael Stevens 

 Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452