Reverend Patrick Erickson
Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church
Star Witnesses
(Acts 13:26-43)
Truly "those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers. . .did not recognize him," Jesus by name, "nor understand the utterances of the Prophets which are read every Sabbathî (Acts 13:27) and which are utterances of Him. They didn't recognize Him but the Wise Men did, even though they knew from these self-same Prophets of the Star which was to arise out of Jacob--the Star which the Wise Men followed they knew not where.
Though the Jews knew, they did not follow. Nor would they. But shepherds did, like sheep themselves. Nary a star did they see--they were too busy watching their flocks by night--but an angel messenger and angel hosts. Not a star did they follow but star witnesses. Suppose we hear the age-old testimony and, like the Wise Men and the foolish shepherds of yore, wise up, rejoice and follow suit.
"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you Good News of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
13"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'
15"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'
16"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
17"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just asthey had been told" (Luke 2:9-20).
Like the Christ Child's mother, Mary, suppose we treasure up all these things and ponder them, not horde them, in our heart. I suppose we shall! Though "those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the Prophets which are read each Sabbath", utterances of the Star out of Jacob, the Scepter of Judah, and the testimony concerning Him, the Good News of great joy for all people, the Savior born to us and for us, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, Christ the Lord.
We do recognize this Star because of His star witnesses' testimony, read and preached and taught each Lord's Day in our assemblies, in the divine services of our Father's house. Like Simeon of old, that ancient seer who also understood the prophetic utterances and recognized the Lord's salvation in this his Savior, the Babe of Bethlehem and the King of Jerusalem, when first he met Him in His Father's house about His Father's business.
What's more, he said so! "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (vv 29-32).
Like that aged, pious prophetess, Anna, who "gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (v 38). Like Mary and Joseph, the Child's mother and foster father, we marvel at what has been said about Him.
This Child was destined "to cause the falling and rising of many. . .and to be a Sign that [has been] spoken against," no has-been He, "so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (vv 34-35). Mary's was not the only soul which this Sword of the Spirit, God's Incarnate Word, His only begotten Son, would pierce, thank God. Ours too!
Though those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, for the most part, still do not recognize Jesus nor grasp the prophetic utterances of Him which are read every Sabbath, by God's grace and by His Spirit working in and by and through the prophetic and apostolic Word, we do!
Refusing to acknowledge Him they condemn Him anew, as their forefathers condemned Him of old. Yet in so doing God fulfilled the ancient prophecies about Him and, reviving Him, raised Him for our justification who by God's mercies do acknowledge and own Him--and own up to Him.
Yes, by the Spirit's discernment--and only by that most discerning faculty--through the expert testimony of this Star's star witnesses, we perceive Jesus and gladly concede to Him His star quality. In Him our Star is risen also!
Blessed are we who, though we have not seen Him--though we have, with the eyes of faith!--yet believe in Him. We too are His witnesses--star witnesses of this Star out of Jacob, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Pastor Erickson