Chapel Hill United Church of Christ

Sunday Sermon

“If at First You Don’t Succeed…”

January 6, 2008

Isaiah 60:1-6 Rev. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 2:1-12 January 6, 2008

“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.”

Prayer: O God of all the ages and all time, please engage with us as we worship, as we listen, and as we learn. In the name of the Christ-child, Amen.

Among the biblical stories we have about Jesus’ birth, Matthew is the only one who tells the tale of the visitors who came from the east to worship baby Jesus. And truly, it does add a bit of color to the nativity story—these exotic visitors, most likely coming from Persia (which is now Iran), discerned that a new king was born to the Jews because they saw some cosmic event (s) happen in the night sky. Pretty impressive to figure that out by watching the stars.

Of course, the way Matthew tells the story leaves room for some jokes. The fact that they went to the wrong city inspired one composer to write “We three kings, disoriented are…” And certainly, you’ve heard the old joke about what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men. 1. They would have asked directions. 2. They would have arrived on time (I don’t know about that one…) 3. They would have helped deliver the baby. 4. Cleaned the stable. 5. Made a casserole, and... 6. Brought practical gifts (http://www.jumbojoke.com/the_three_wise_women_1338.html, retrieved January 5, 2008).

Despite the jokes, the story of the magi does teach us a few things. In terms of their sense of direction, yes, they went to the wrong city first, but it makes sense, if you think about it. They would have gone to Jerusalem first. It was the capitol city! It was where the king’s palace was located. Besides, they don’t know Jewish scripture or traditions. Apparently, King Herod didn’t know ancient prophecy, either. The prophet Micah 700 years earlier foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). You would think Herod, as the king of Israel, and supposedly religious shepherd of the people, at the time would know that, but he doesn’t. At any rate, the magi, at first didn’t succeed in finding the baby. But, what’s that saying? “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” So, having heard the word about Bethlehem as the birthplace, they set out again, and went to Bethlehem, found the Babe, and worshipped

I think their story is important for us metaphorically because there are moments on our spiritual journeys when we find ourselves searching for God, but we sometimes search in the wrong places. We may be searching for meaning and fulfillment in all the gifts from Christmas, (certainly our culture wants us to believe that) but, inevitably, find ourselves spiritually wanting. Our bellies might be filled with all the good food and the leftovers from the holidays, but we still find ourselves spiritually hungry. We might have fantastic resources financially and think that is a key to happiness, but still find ourselves feeling spiritually poor and depressed. Yes, we search in the wrong places sometimes, but don’t give up. It becomes important to remember that in our efforts of searching for meaning and fulfillment with God, even though we might have missed previously, try, try again when searching for God.

An ancient fable has it that one night a king of Balkh (now northern Afghanistan) was wealthy according to every earthly measure. At the same time, however, he sincerely and restlessly strove to be spiritually wealthy as well. One night he had a dream in which he heard a loud stomping on the roof above his bed. Alarmed, he shouted: “Who’s up there?” “A friend,” the reply came from the roof. “I’ve lost my camel.” Perturbed by such stupidity, the king screamed, “You fool! Are you looking for a camel on the roof?” “You fool!” the voice from the roof answered. “Are you looking for God in silk clothing, and lying on a golden bed?’ These simple words moved the king so profoundly that he awoke from his sleep and resolved to change the way he sought after God by changing the way he reached out to the needy in his kingdom. In the process, he succeeded in finding the spiritual wealth for which he was looking (Still Proclaiming your Wonders: Homilies for the Eighties [New York: Paulist Press, 1984], 55, http://www.homileticsonline.com/subscriber/btl_display.asp?installment_id=2600,m retrieved January 5, 2008).

If you’re thinking or feeling or experiencing yourself on the wrong track, struggling with meaninglessness, struggling with your own mistakes, needing to forgive yourself, there still is hope. Each of us has the ability to make a decision, to resolve to change the way we might be searching for God, or searching the places where we think we might find fulfillment and meaning. Each of us has second chances given to us by God to experience forgiveness, God’s mercy, and grace.

Even if you are engaged in a prayer life that is fulfilling, it still is important to know to try again, if needed. There are moments, for example, in our lives when we pray about a decision, we look for answers from God, and we go ahead with a decision believing that we are on the right track. But boy oh boy, the journey can be long and cumbersome and filled with questions. Each day can become more and more arduous. Each day can challenge our faith and make us wonder if the right decision was made. Each day can make us question our stamina and endurance.

A few years ago, I was aware of a man who was in line for a promotion at his company. This promotion would have advanced his career and strengthened his family’s resources as he and his wife were raising two children. However, the company decided to hire a much younger man to take over the work, therefore, effectively denying the man the long-awaited promotion. Even though bitterness ran deep within the him, this man decided not to quit his job, but to stick it out, working for the company until his children would graduate from high school, for years later. All the while, he thought it was the right decision, but the road was long and wearisome. It took commitment and endurance to get his kids through high school. If at first you don’t succeed in getting the results that you expected, keep trying, keep working, keep praying.

That’s what faith growth is all about. We are going to be misguided some days. We are going to go the wrong direction on other days. We are going to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time sometimes. We’re going to bring the wrong gifts, say the wrong things, make our fair share of mistakes, and then some. But, with God’s good grace, the grace we receive in belief of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can get up from our failures, and try, try again. A fresh start is granted to us. I believe God wants us to recover from our ill-conceived ideas, God wants us to re-emerge from the distraction of misguided information, and try, try again.

I also believe God wants us to be willing to listen to the new information and not be stuck with the old information. What if the magi got stubborn and said, “You gotta be kidding. He’s not here in Jerusalem? That doesn’t make any sense. The king of the Jews is supposed to be born in the chief city of the kingdom. Now where is he?”

That’s silly, isn’t it? But, think of how often we stubbornly won’t give up our old ideas. For example, why is it so hard for us to give up the idea that we have to earn God’s forgiveness? The mission Christ came to accomplish was finished, for all time for all people. What we need to do is give up the old ideas and let the good news of the gospel be our reality. How often is it that we refuse to believe that God’s plan of salvation is a plan for the whole human race? How slow are we to live our lives filled with joy? How reluctant are we to come into this place to worship God with loud praises? With rejoicing that makes us not sit still?

We have to be willing to listen to the message that God’s wonderful grace is given for us, and even though we are slow to react to such good news, and well, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! For our light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen on us! We shall be like a radiant beam of God’s light, shining all the time through us! God’s blessings abundantly will come upon us and go out from us!

Let’s nurture this faith in God! Let’s live this faith in God! And remember, if at first we don’t succeed, we can try again, and again, and again. Amen.