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Going home another way

2024 Christmas Chapel message

Students pray during candlelight service

December 25, 2024 - Dr. Lewis Shepherd

The text for the message is Matthew 2:1-12, but the title is based on verse 12, which reads, “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”

In a few days, most of our students, faculty, staff and friends will be at home with their families. I hope that in some fashion you will go home another way. And as you go home, please remember what Dr. Sells said in his Convocation address in August: “May you leave Ouachita better than you found it.”

While Matthew provided the text for today, Luke focused on the splendor and all the special attractions surrounding the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. There in the small town of Bethlehem was where heaven and earth met, and oh what an occasion it was!

Yes, it is where heaven and earth came together to celebrate the new king. He indeed was human and divine; one hundred percent human and one hundred percent divine.

He was so human, he was born in a stable. But he was so divine, an angel announced his birth. He was so human, a manger was his first crib. But he was so divine, God dispatched the heavenly host to sing for him. He was Emmanuel, “God with us.”

And now entered a group called “the wise men”; we know them as the Magi. Matthew challenges our thinking about who these men were. We often assume there were three of them. Many Christmas plays lead to that thinking. And the fact they brought three gifts adds to that thought process. They probably traveled in fairly large groups.

Next, we assume they came to see the “baby Jesus” when they actually saw the “toddler Jesus.” You can’t wait 18 to 24 months to get this into a 15-minute Christmas play.

Also, there is the misconception that these strangers were magicians. While the Bible does not call them by this name, they are commonly referred to as the Magi. Their origin goes back to the time of Daniel.

The Magi were serious students of various disciplines, the most common being astrology, religion and medicine. Legend has it their role eventually evolved into that of a magistrate.

The Magi listened to the Lord. In verse 2, the Lord gave them the sign of a star. They were to follow a star to find the Savior. They could not get to the Savior by looking at the moon or the constellations; they had to maintain their focus by looking at a star.

If you want to go home another way, you need to maintain your focus not on a star, but on the Savior. I always asked myself, “Why were the Magi able to keep track with one particular star?” I realize they were well trained, but many stars look alike. There are billions of stars in the universe; what made this one stand out?

Again, in verse 2, Matthew is noticeably clear on this star situation. The Magi did not say they had seen “a” star, but rather “his” star. When Jesus was born, God put a special star in the sky – his star.

I am glad that in 2024, we have a star. Not a movie star; not a gridiron star; not a basketball star; not a rock star; but a star in the heavens. He is worthy of our worship.

One final thing about the Magi: They did not practice “empty-handed” worship, but they brought gifts according to verse 11. Not just any ordinary gifts, but expensive gifts. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why these three? Gold because of Jesus’ kingship; frankincense because it was a spice used by priests; and myrrh because it was an embalming ointment anticipating Jesus’ death 30 years down the road.

In verse 3, Herod got the news the Magi were in town, and he was troubled; this was a threat to his authority, because Jesus was king. The Jewish leadership in Jerusalem was troubled; this was a threat to their status quo and popularity. The Jewish people were troubled; they didn’t know what Herod would do when he found out there was a little Messiah.

In verse 7, Herod called the Magi together and asked when the star appeared. He was trying to calculate the age of the baby. Now verse 3 says Herod was troubled over this.

After the Magi worshipped Jesus, they left to go home. It was not just a pleasant drive down the lane, but probably several hundred miles. By caravan, this could take several months.

Now, the Lord led them to Jesus by way of a star. This was a good method since they were astrologers, but now He was going to show them something else.

According to verse 12, the Lord came to them in a dream and said, “Don’t go back to Herod, but go home another way.” There is a second meaning to the title “Going Home Another Way.” It has nothing to do with the street, road or path, but it has everything to do with our lives.

It means that when we left home, we were one way; but when we went back, we were another way. It means that when we left home, we were sad, but when we went back, we were glad. It means that when we left home, we were lonely, but when we went back, we had a “friend that sticks closer than a brother.”

The man who lived in Gadara left home full of demons, but he went home another way.

A woman was caught in the act of adultery, but she went home another way.

Zacchaeus the tax collector left home a thief, but he went home another way.

Bartimaeus left home blind, but he went home another way with 20/20 vision.

The man at the gate called Beautiful left home lame, but went home another way.

The crowd of 5,000 men left home hungry, but they were fed and went home another way.

The church at Pentecost left home cold, but they went home another way, on fire.

As you prepare to experience the celebration of the King, if you have not met him, Jesus is no longer the toddler in the house. He is the Savior in the mansion prepared for you.

Also, I would hope your time spent here has been in an environment where you can learn about others. A place where you can connect with those who may not be of your culture or your race.

I pray it has been a setting for you to interact with others who may have grown up in a different mindset than yours. A setting where you can acknowledge the differences in others, accept the premise that we have more in common than we have differences, and then appreciate the incalculable value of other human beings.

And when you leave 2024 behind, my prayer is that you go home another way. Not a change from Interstate 30 to Highway 67, but with a renewed compassion and zeal for Christ and your fellow man. May God bless and keep you. Enjoy your Christmas, and go home another way.