January 6, 2008 -- "Religions"

Where Does Your Star Stop?

Scripture:

(Mat 2:1 NRSV) In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

(Mat 2:2 NRSV) asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."

(Mat 2:3 NRSV) When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him;

(Mat 2:4 NRSV) and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

(Mat 2:5 NRSV) They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

(Mat 2:6 NRSV) 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

(Mat 2:7 NRSV) Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.

(Mat 2:8 NRSV) Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."

(Mat 2:9 NRSV) When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

(Mat 2:10 NRSV) When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.

(Mat 2:11 NRSV) On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

(Mat 2:12 NRSV) And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

I was watching the science channel a couple of days ago, trying to relax and recover from my cold. An excellent program was on about finding other planets outside of our own solar system. Scientists have learned that our own sun wobbles because the planets in our solar system exert a gravitational pull on the sun. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, exerts about a 30 mile per hour pull on our sun. So, applying this same principle, astronomers have been looking at other suns and have actually detected some that also wobble – therefore they have concluded that in all likelihood, that there are other planets revolving around other stars. Another team of scientists have confirmed the likelihood of planets around other stars by filtering out the intensity of stars and watching for patterns of that star’s dimming – and have found that there are planets eclipsing the stars that they revolve around. To me, this is fascinating stuff. It is a happening of cosmic importance.

In the 16th century, a Roman Catholic Monk was burned at the stake because he suggested that there were other worlds out there, perhaps millions, revolving around other stars. He was branded a heretic. The powers that be thought that his views were taking away from the uniqueness of our planet and us humans. But this heretic wrote: these other planets only showcase the utter eminence of our great God. I find myself believing the same thing. God can do whatever God wishes to do. We are not privy to all the info or all the reasons why. And that is ok to me. It may have been Joni Erickson Tada who put it best when she said that trying to understand the things of God is like trying to pour a million gallons of water into her 1 gallon brain. It just can’t hold it – at least not in this life!

For the wise men, scientists of a different era, Christ’s birth was not just a minor incident in an insignificant little nation, but a happing of cosmic importance. It was an epiphany, which is a fancy way of saying “a revealing” or “a making known.”

The early Christians preached and witnessed that the coming of Jesus Christ was for everybody and anybody. And they boldly proclaimed that the only way into eternal life was through this Christ – and they proclaimed that message despite harassment, ostracism, imprisonment, torture and yes, even execution!

I wonder how this message would be met today?! Today’s America is a multi-religious country – very much unlike the America of my grandparents. Another word to describe today’s America is the word “pluralistic.” There are many religious options to choose from. And there is considerable pressure on Christianity to drop its bold claim that in Jesus Christ, something unique and unprecedented has been done for all of humanity. That pressure would have Christianity simply file in among the other choices and change its claim of the one and only way to 1 of many ways. Well, what do we do with this? Where does the star truly stop?

Two things that we must do: Number one – listen! If we do not listen to other points of view, we can not have a dialogue. Christianity should never be ashamed or afraid of hearing opposing views. Our God and our faith can handle it. But we can not have a genuine witness unless we listen.

I think that listening is a lost art, if it ever was an art.

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming." (Source Unknown.)

Back when I was in seminary, I had a discussion with three of my housemates. These three fellows were from Damascus, Syria. They were attending the university down the road. Waseem, in particular, was very religious. I would see him in his room bowing toward Mecca and praying – not once but several times a day. I listened to his point of view about Jesus, which was radically different from mine. But because I listened, I got to share my beliefs about Jesus, and this opened the door to me not only witnessing to Waseem but to Mazen, as well, as we drove to Columbus one day.

We must listen. Listening is not talking. Listening is not giving advice. Listening is not thinking about your response. Listening is genuinely being concerned with what is said. God blessed us with two ears and one mouth. That tells us all we need to know.

Number two – we must be true to our faith. I hear this a lot: All religions are the same. All get us to the same place! If that is true, then Christ wasted his time on earth. He died a shameful, terrible death for no reason. That would be horrible and even absurd. By the way, Christ’s death and resurrection were written about in the secular literature of the day. And the Bible mentions that 300 people witnessed his resurrection. His existence is a proven fact.

Perhaps I should pause and define religions. Religion is a system or way of expressing one’s spiritual belief; it is typically a large body that subscribes to a particular spiritual leader. A religion is not the same as a denomination. Denominations are variations of expression within the same belief system. When we say religion, we mean religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and Christianity to name a few. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians are denominations within the Christian religion. If you look deep enough, you will find that religions have some things in common but really are as different as night and day. The thing that sets Christianity apart from all others is that God became a man, died for sins, rose again to victory, and opened the door to heaven for all who believe in him.

Jesus Christ is precious! We don’t have to make excuses for that nor water that down. To water down the epiphany – the appearing – the making known of Christ – would be a tragic mistake. The star stopped at Bethlehem, above the baby Jesus. The world has not been the same since. Stick to your faith. Jump in with both feet or don’t bother! What God needs today are people willing to give their very best to share the unparallel love of God through Jesus Christ.

One more thing – the wise men were truly wise. They listened to God who communicated to them through a dream. And they traveled in a group. They shared their faith in community and found their support in community. We can not make a new year’s resolution stick unless we have accountability. That is the number one reason why resolutions fail, I think. Susan and I are exercising together. If I did not have her helping me to do that, I wouldn’t do it. My goal is to lose 20 lbs. I’ve gotten off to a good start thanks to Susan.

Please find someone to be your partner – your helper – your motivator – your checker-upper! When we have to report our progress, we are more likely to succeed.
You will find a pink card in your materials today. If you would write down one New Year’s resolution as way of dedication, and then bring it forward and place on the altar, we will dedicate your efforts to God and I for one will pray for you. If you wish to add your name and you would like me to ask you about your progress from time to time, I would be happy to. Let us be serious, as we trust God for the increase of growth in our lives.