Sermon Title:
The Quest for Power vs. The Call of Christ
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Church, it’s the first Sunday of a brand-new year, and God has a message for us: Pay attention. Paying attention to what’s right in front of us—what’s under our noses—can be a life-changing act.
We just wrapped the chaos of the holiday season. That’s the mood many of us bring into January: We made it. We’re here. Let’s just relax. But instead of settling down, we find ourselves at the threshold of something extraordinary.
Because here come the wise men—the magi from the East. Right after one major event, we’re thrust into another one. Why? Well, Church, it’s Epiphany!
Now, technically, Epiphany falls on January 6, twelve days after Christmas (yes, that’s what those “twelve days of Christmas” are all about). In the early church, Epiphany wasn’t just a date on the calendar; it was the big celebration. Families gathered, gifts were exchanged, and feasts were prepared—not on Christmas, but on Epiphany. It marked the moment when the light broke through the darkness.
The word Epiphany comes from the Greek, meaning “the light shows forth” or “the light comes to us.” It’s the moment when people figured it out—when they saw the light. In Matthew’s Gospel, the birth of Jesus is a quiet, almost hidden affair. No angelic choir filling the sky, no shepherds rushing in from the fields. It’s just Mary, Joseph, and a series of dreams.
But by chapter two, the quiet is shattered. The wise men arrive from the East, following a star, and everything changes. Suddenly, the light begins to challenge the darkness. The arrival of the magi sparks a confrontation between two kingdoms: the empire of greed and the reign of grace.
And isn’t that where we find ourselves today, Church? In a world where power is pursued with reckless abandon, where greed parades as ambition, and where leaders fail to serve.
From the halls of Congress to corporate boardrooms, the spirit of King Herod is alive and well. People would rather destroy than surrender, grasp than give, hoard than help. Yet into this world of manipulation and self-interest, a child is born in Bethlehem.
This child, Jesus, doesn’t come to claim power for himself—he comes to overthrow it. He doesn’t come to hoard authority but to redefine it. His birth is more than a historical event; it’s a revolution. It calls us to examine our lives, our leadership, and our loyalties.
The magi—these foreign seekers of truth—show us what it means to pay attention. They see the star and follow it, bringing gifts not for their own gain but to honor the true King. Meanwhile, Herod, blinded by greed and insecurity, clings to his fragile throne, terrified of losing control.
And isn’t that the story of our world?
Leaders trembling at the thought of sharing power. Systems built to protect the few at the expense of the many. Greed cloaked in the language of ambition while the vulnerable are left in the cold. But here’s the good news: Jesus enters this broken world not with force but with light, not with fear but with love.
This is the heart of Epiphany, Church. It’s not just a moment of clarity; it’s a call to action. Will we follow the star or cling to the throne? Will we align ourselves with the empire of greed or the reign of grace?
As we step into this new year, let us pay attention. Let us open our eyes to the light that has come into the world. For in this child born in Bethlehem, we find the answer to greed, the cure for corrupted leadership, and the hope of a kingdom not built on fear but on love.
Let’s walk in the light together. Amen.
Let us walk through this text with a prophetic lens, asking, “What does the birth of Jesus teach us about greed, power, and leadership?”
1. Herod’s Kingdom: The Fear of Losing Power
“When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:3)
Herod was a man consumed by fear—fear of losing his throne, fear of being overshadowed, fear of the truth. Notice how his fear infects others: all Jerusalem was frightened with him. Greed and insecurity do not remain private sins; they ripple out into the community.
Herod’s fear drove him to plot against an infant, to weaponize the magi’s faith for his own gain. This is what happens when leadership is divorced from servanthood—it becomes predatory, using people instead of serving them.
Application:
Look around at our modern Herods—leaders who seek power not for the people but for their ego. Congress is criticized for its failure to serve the public, to listen, and to act with integrity. The numbers are staggering: 86% of Americans say Congress fails to take responsibility for its actions. Like Herod, they are frightened—not of losing power for the sake of the people, but of losing power for themselves.
2. The Magi’s Kingdom: The Pursuit of True Authority
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2:2)
The magi, foreigners from the east, followed the light of a star—not to seize power, but to worship the One who embodied it. While Herod hoarded power, the magi humbled themselves. They remind us that true leadership begins with worship and reverence.
What a contrast! The magi sought a king, not for personal gain but to give gifts, to honor, to kneel.
Application:
This is the posture of true leadership: seeking the good of others. As Christians, we are called to emulate the magi, to reject Herod’s greed and instead seek the kingdom of God—a kingdom where authority is used to shepherd, not to subjugate.
3. Jesus’ Kingdom: Leadership Redefined
“In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah.’” (Matthew 2:5-6)
Bethlehem, a small and insignificant town, becomes the birthplace of the Savior. Jesus’ kingship is not rooted in privilege or wealth but in humility. He comes as a shepherd, not a tyrant.
Herod’s kingdom was built on fear; Jesus’ kingdom is built on love. Herod sought to destroy; Jesus came to heal. Herod demanded homage; Jesus offered himself as a servant.
Illustration:
We live in a culture obsessed with status, where leaders clamor for titles but neglect their responsibilities. But Jesus reminds us that greatness is not found in climbing the ladder but in descending to serve.
Application:
Church, how often do we follow the way of Herod instead of the way of Jesus? In our families, workplaces, and churches, are we leading to serve or leading to be seen?
Conclusion: The Call to Stand Against Greed and Power
The birth of Jesus is not just a story; it is a call to action. It demands that we confront the Herods in our world and within ourselves.
• To the leaders in Congress who care more about their wallets than their constituents, Jesus says, Repent.
• To the CEOs who exploit workers for profit, Jesus says, Repent.
• To the pastors who preach prosperity while neglecting justice, Jesus says, Repent.
The child born in Bethlehem has come to dethrone the Herods, to lift up the magi, and to establish a kingdom of love, justice, and truth.
Call to Action:
Will you follow the star, or will you cling to the throne? Will you bow in worship, or will you grasp for power? The choice is before us. Let us not only celebrate the birth of Christ; let us live into his kingdom, a kingdom where greed is defeated, and true leadership is born.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who shines in the darkness of greed and power. May we follow his example of humility and service, rejecting the way of Herod and embracing the way of the cross. Amen.
Certainly! Here’s a morning prayer for Epiphany, rooted in the African American United Methodist tradition and emphasizing the revelation of Christ to the world:
Morning Prayer for Epiphany
O God of light and revelation,
On this blessed morning of Epiphany, we lift our voices to You, the One who guides us as You guided the wise men long ago.
We remember, O God, the journey of those who sought Jesus under the shining star—a journey of hope, faith, and perseverance. Like them, we come before You today, bringing the gifts of our hearts: our praise, our worship, and our commitment to justice and love.
Lord, we thank You for the light of Christ, which has shone in dark places, breaking the chains of oppression and offering hope to the downtrodden. In the tradition of our ancestors, who clung to Your promises in the face of trials, we declare today that Your light is still leading us.
Guide us, O Holy Spirit, to be like the star that led the wise men—shining brightly so that others may see and follow the way to Jesus. Strengthen us to embody the lessons of Epiphany: to seek truth, to embrace all nations, and to be a part of Your kingdom’s work here on earth.
Bless our families, our communities, and this church, that we might reflect the unity and love of Your divine revelation. Empower us to speak truth to power, to bring peace where there is strife, and to proclaim the Good News boldly and without fear.
As the wise men worshiped Christ in Bethlehem, we now bow before You, O King of kings, offering our lives for Your service. May Your glory fill this sanctuary and our lives, as we carry Your light into the world.
In the name of Jesus, the Light of the world, we pray. Amen.
