We’ve Come This Far By Faith
Epiphany
The collect for Epiphany asks God to be lead us from beholding God by faith to being able to see God “face to face.” This petition to see God with our own eyes contains an important truth. In this life (here and now) faith is essential. Faith not facts are needed to love and serve God. Faith not facts allows us to introduce others to the God we love. Faith not facts makes invite others to serve God instead of their own devices and desires possible. Faith empowers while facts can undermine and discourage.
The magi had faith. Bible scholars think it took the 3 wise people 2 years to travel to Jerusalem. Their 4 year round trip was dangerous and costly. If the magi had planned based on the facts, they would never have left home! Their journey took them through wildernesses inhabited by poisonous serpents and retiles, carnivorous predators, and gigantic animals. All ready and able to kill. Their travels took them through countries of unknown people and countries of enemies ready to imprison or execute outsiders. Their journey called for them to spend days or weeks traversing terrain that had neither water nor people. The trip required money and resources. Money and resources they had to convince the leaders and citizens of their homelands to provide. Their journey required people. People were needed to pack, guide, and tend the many camels that carried tents, water, food, clothing, medicine, gifts needed ‘to grease the palms’ of tribal leaders, generals, and kings to convince them to grant permission for their safe passage through territories they controlled, and the gifts the magi planned to present to the greatest sovereign who ever lived. And people were needed to perform domestic tasks: setting up and breaking down tents; food preparation; laundry; and more. Before and during this long journey, the magi replied on scholars, prophets, and priests familiar with world religions, diverse cultures, astrology, and geography. These experts helped the magi assess and determine what the star meant and how to use the star to chart a course. The Gospels offer no information about the magi’s countries of origin, racial/ethnic backgrounds, or religions. We know they were not Jews because they had to petition the king of the Jews, Herod, for permission to enter Jerusalem. The magi had faith even though they did not know about or believe in the God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, or Jacob and Leah and Rachel. Faith fueled their commitment to embark on a 4 year journey. Faith gave them courage to deal with uncertainty, threats, and dangers. Faith fostered humble compassion that lead them to heed angels, follow dreams, and pay homage to an infant residing in a barn. The magi’s faith lead them to see with their own eyes the greatest sovereign ever, Jesus.
So, what is faith? The Apostle Paul defined faith for gentiles in Rome. He said,
...faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ... By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. Romans 11:1 & 3
Faith can operate independent of evidence and reason. Faith is demonstrated in commitments to values, community, and purpose. Given the nature of faith (as a conviction of things not seen), I get why some people who heard Jesus speak demanded signs and miracles or denied the authenticity and authority of his ministry. They wanted proof. They valued facts that supported their assumptions over faith that challenged their expectations. Given that faith demonstrations can occur without evidence or reason, it makes sense that church attendance is down and scrolling through social media posts is up. Aided by technology, people are choosing to believe whatever captures their attention, confirms their preferences, or gets the most likes and views. Faith is a decision. Faith is a choice. Faith requires commitment, courage, and compassion.
Faith that is rooted and grounded in God, is demonstrated by creating and sustaining community across difference, life giving values, and purpose that fulfills and inspires. To find and be found by God faith employs commitment, courage, and compassion. Facts will, if we let them, undermine and derail faith. If the magi had limited their planning to the facts, their journey would have ended before it began. As you receive facts in the news do not allow them to supplant your faith in the sovereignty of Jesus and power of God.
I have faith that Christ Church will be around for another 180 years. I believe Christ Church has been and will be a beacon of hope and health. I trust that the resources Christ Church needs will come so long as we seek and serve God. Do you see what I see?
Are you willing to choose faith over facts? I invite you to demonstrate the faith demonstrated by the magi. Faith like theirs will allow you to experience God’s glory now and lead you to see God face to face.
