2022.01.09 - Wait! They’re Included?!

I’d like to pretend it’s last Sunday for a few minutes. Last Week was Epiphany Sunday, and in the Protestant world, I think we miss the implications of the story of the Magi. So, let’s visit Epiphany again.

Have you ever been a part of a club? Maybe just an informal group of people with some specialized connection?

In High School, I was the type of kid that could fit in just about any circle. I wasn’t really PART of any circle, but I was “sort of” part of almost all of them. I fit in easily and regulars in the group felt like I was part of the group even if I didn’t feel like I was. That can upset friends at times. Whether it’s friends from one group who think you shouldn’t be a part of “that other” group ... or it may be the friend who invited you into the group that isn’t as ‘received’ in the group as you are.

In his adult life, Jesus had a similar dilemma. The Pharisees challenged him to be more like them ... which indicates something we often miss in the Gospels. The Pharisees saw Jesus as one of them! They would ask, “Why is he eating with THOSE people?” ... but the implication is “Why is he eating with THOSE people … when he should be eating with US!?”

Likewise, I’m sure the lower-class folks who hung around Jesus probably wondered what he ever did with the Pharisees in the first place. He was born to a poor working family — the son of a carpenter, he had no status or reason to be in those circles. “Why is he spending time with those people, when he should be here with US?”

In our reading from Matthew this morning, we are introduced to the Magi. But there’s another main character in the story. Matthew writes that Herod is troubled and all Jerusalem with him.

Wesleyan Bible Commentary says:

The visit of the wise-men gives us in miniature the paradox of Jesus’ ministry. The Jewish rulers did not care to go the short distance to Bethlehem to seek the Messiah. The earthly king of the Jews sought to kill the One who was “born King of the Jews.” At the same time Gentiles sought the Savior and worshiped Him. It is a commentary on John 1:11—“He came unto his own [things], and they that were his own received him not.” His own nation rejected Him, and the Gentile church took its place as God’s people.

Earle, R. (1966). The Gospel according to St. Matthew. In Matthew-Acts (Vol. 4, p. 17). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

In Luke 4, Jesus has just come out of the wilderness, and he’s traveling around the region, teaching in synagogues. He goes to his hometown, and preaches. The people are amazed, and they ask, “Is this really Joseph’s son that we watched grow up?” They were so proud ... until he said that God was including Gentiles (non-Jews) in his plans of blessing and salvation! HOW DARE HE?! Moments after being so proud of him, Luke records:

Luke 4:28–29 NASB 2020

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and brought Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, so that they could throw Him down from the cliff.

In the matter of a few minutes, the crowd swung from great pride in Jesus to wanting him DEAD! ... all because he included Gentiles in God’s blessings.

Wait! They’re Included?!

We usually relate with the Gentiles in this story, because we’re non-Jews in our backgrounds.

Today, I want you to see where we may be the Jews in this story:

I know of a church with a fairly large, active youth group. The youth there are VERY good at inviting their friends to youth group. In fact, probably 50% or more of the youth attending don’t have any connection to the congregation other than youth group. Their families don’t attend, and many of them are engaged in a church community elsewhere on Sunday mornings. And the pastor tells me, “It’s not terribly unusual during a discussion of the youth group for someone to ask me, ‘Well, are they OUR kids?’”

If we get to that point, let me preemptively answer that question: YES! If they walk in our door or come to our event ... they are OUR kids! And I will actively fight any attempt to draw those types of lines of division.

Peter’s letter is written to Jesus people: He doesn’t specify Gentile or Jewish families. He just says:

2 Peter 1:1–4 NASB 2020

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.

So according to Peter:

Through the power of Christ, believers are granted all things pertaining to life and godliness.

Through his knowledge we received glory and virtue.

Through his promises we become partakers of the divine nature.

Wesleyan Bible Commentary:

There are many inequalities in the material world. Some have little material wealth; others have much. But ... all the divine resources are available for the taking. ...

The objective of these promises is that all might be partakers of the divine nature.

Ball, C. S. (1966). First and Second Peter . In Hebrews-Revelation (Vol. 6, p. 288). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Wait! They’re Included?!

Today, we celebrate that the worshipers at the feet of the King of the Jews — are Gentiles, because it opens a door for you and me … their appearance opens the door for ALL to be partakers of the divine nature. But if we expect to receive

“All things pertaining to life and godliness

glory and virtue

and to become partakers of the divine nature,”

we have to open the door every bit as wide as God does. If we’ve been grafted into His vine, maybe we can see an unlimited availability for ALL to be grafted in, as well.

And that goes beyond just permitting them to come.

God didn’t just permit all to come. He INVITED all to come!

Welcoming is a passive effort. It’s easy to just sit back and convince ourselves we’d be okay if “those people” showed up … especially when they aren’t showing up. But God tells us to be like him and he wasn’t passive with us.

It’s one thing to welcome a black family, a gay couple, an addict, a panhandler, or any other category of “them” who happen to show up. It’s completely another thing to INVITE them!

You and I were non-Jews. To directly quote the Scriptures we were “not God’s people” … and God did not welcome us. He INVITED us!

And when we accepted his invitation, we’ve received:

“All things pertaining to life and godliness

his glory and virtue

and we became partakers of the divine nature”

That divine nature is not ours to possess, or defend, or to protect from the unholy. If it’s ours at all … it’s only ours to invite others to partake.

Wait! They’re Included?!

As I’m speaking this morning … who in your life is the Holy Spirit bringing to mind? Maybe it’s a coworker … neighbor … friend of a friend … person you see around town regularly. Maybe you’re thinking of a friend who wouldn’t be home in most traditional churches. Let me suggest this might be a good week for a lunch that includes an invitation to join the partakers of the divine nature.

Who will you invite this week?

Let us pray...

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