Universal Grace: Epiphany
There is No In-Group
Matthew 2:1-12
Rev. Tim Callow
Preached Sun. Jan. 4th, 2026
This morning we hear about magi from the east bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. These mysterious figures were likely priest-astrologers from the Parthian empire. The Parthians were competitors of and sometimes enemies to Rome. It was a fabulously wealthy empire that controlled the overland route to China known as the Silk Road. So their priests had the security and leisure to spend their time observing the stars and interpreting their meanings. They witness a new star rising in the sky and divine that it indicates a new King born in Judea.
The magi also appear to divine more than what they say, because their gifts are pregnant with meaning. The gold, of course is a wealthy metal fit for a King. But Frankincense and Myrrh are odder gifts that wouldn’t have been terribly useful to a young family of artisans. Both are made from the sap of plants found only in the Arabian peninsula. Burned over charcoal they produced a sweet smelling white cloud. Frankincense, then, was used in the Jerusalem temple. Myrrh, on the other hand, had another use. It was also commonly made into a perfume. Particularly a perfume one might put on a body for its burial.
It seems the Magi knew more than they let on, or perhaps were led to give gifts that indicated more than they knew. Gold for Jesus’ Kingship, frankincense for his priestly sacrifice, myrrh for his atoning death.
The Magi know this even though they do not possess the holy scriptures. A rather amazing act of God’s grace. But those who do possess the scriptures are caught off guard when the Magi come to town. Because even though Jesus had been born over a year earlier word had not made its way to Jerusalem what the angels did that night in the fields. And though they do possess the scriptures, yet the news of a King remains perplexing. And Herod himself, as we learned last week, does his best to frustrate the scriptural prophecy concerning the messiah.
We are witnessing, then, an astonishing reversal. The King of the Jews receiving homage not from his own people but from far away gentiles. God incarnate being recognized not by those who search, study, and live by the scriptures. But recognized by those who look to the stars for their answers and worship a foreign god. And these foreigners, these magi, are full of joy at the sight of the boy. When Jerusalem is afraid, and Herod is filled with paranoia and rage.
This reversal ought to remind us that with God there is no in-group and no out-group. You may recall a few weeks ago we heard John the Baptist tell the pharisees and sadducees they should not put their hope in being children of Abraham because God can raise children of Abraham from stones. No one gets in the in-group when it comes to God. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever would believe in him should not perish but have eternal life. His grace is over all his works. God’s love is absolutely universal.
Paul marvels at this mystery in our epistle reading this morning. “The gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” That is to say, the nations have been united to Israel. The promises God made to Israel for their redemption have been extended to all through Christ. And, Paul says, this was always the plan.
God always meant to save the world in this way. Through Israel. Through Jesus. For the Nations.
There is a seeming paradox that runs through the Bible concerning the love of God. And, I suppose, we confront that apparent paradox this morning. It is that on the one hand God chooses some people, but on the other hand his love is shown to be universal. God elects Israel from the nations for his purpose. But that purpose is to bless the nations. God elects David, the apple of his eye, but for the purpose of his universal redemption. And God has elected us, the Church. But not that his grace be limited. Not that we reap the benefits alone. But so that we may share the good news of his love and bless the world.
This is, then, the mission for which we are called. To show the world that God loves them. To point them to the grace that is over all his works. To tell the story of Jesus who died for our sake because he loved us. And how by his blood all our mistakes and wrongdoings are washed away. And as God is indiscriminate in his blessings, so we are called to be indiscriminate in who receives our love. Because God’s grace is not limited. Indeed, it is universal. It calls even the magi from far away to the crib of his son. It calls even us, whatever it is that we have done, to the table by which we receive mercy.