By Another Road

We are focusing on Epiphany so the entire week will use Matthew 2: 1-12 for the scripture lesson

Yesterday, we talked about how the news of the arrival of Jesus filled Herod with fear. Herod was many things, including shrewd. When the unsuspecting Magi showed up at the palace, Herod attempted to use them to find out where this supposed king was located. He claimed he wanted to know so that he too could go honor him. What we know from reading the rest of chapter 2 in Matthew is that he wanted to know his location so he could eliminate this threat to his power. He probably thinks he’s outfoxed everyone when the Magi depart. 

After the Magi find the Christ Child, present their gifts, and worship him, they are ready to make the return trip home, passing back through Jerusalem. However, before hitting the road, they have a dream in which they are warned not to return to Herod. They then leave for their country by another road. 

I have long been fascinated by that phrase – by another road – and how it applies to our faith journey. Of course, one way is the notion that once we’ve encountered Jesus, our lives have changed. We begin to travel on new roads. I even own a children’s book written by Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor called, “Home Another Way.” She writes in it that the old maps of the Magi did not work anymore so they went home another way. 

Another way I think we can read the meaning of this phrase is to refuse to take part in evil. The Magi are warned against returning to Herod, implying the presence of danger. If they had returned to Herod, they would’ve been complicit, willingly or not, in Herod’s wicked plans. By obeying the dream, they refused to be used for evil. 

It’s worth pondering how we are complicit in harm to others and reflecting on how we can resist doing so. It may not be on the scale of a tyrannical ruler wishing to eliminate a threat to his power. However, we probably have more opportunities than we realize to “resist evil in whatever form it presents itself” as our baptismal vows say. It could be as simple as refusing to laugh at a joke that demeans someone. It could be as simple as standing up to a bully. It could be as simple as making changes to where you shop to prevent harm.  It could be as simple as raising your kids to be kind. 

We can all choose to journey through this life by another road that allows us to do no harm. 

Prayer
God of surprising paths, like the Magi, we have met your light and cannot go back the same way. Guide us home by another road—away from fear and harm toward truth and wisdom. Amen.

Rev. Dana Ezell