"Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.'" Matthew 2:7-8
There are days when I am very thankful. These days being among them. I'm thankful I'm no longer in education leadership. Not because the legislature is about to meet (although that circus is certainly something I am grateful I'm no longer involved in following), but I'm glad I am no longer in leadership because of the precarious state of things these days. By the fact that you lead means you will make decisions, and decisions these days fall into the minds of people who are polarized.
You are either for or against (name the issue or person) and because of that you are either enlightened or a neanderthal, good or evil, to be trusted or to be viewed with a high degree of mistrust. So, as a school leader, would I follow COVID-19 protocols (and consequently face the ire of a segment of the population) or would I largely ignore them (and face the ire of a segment of the population)? Would suggesting we follow them get me lumped into a political camp or another, take calls from the alienated segment of the population, hear it at events like football games from those who are displeased, and get calls from board members whose ears were bent at church by people who didn't agree with the decision, and not only disagreed, but in reality just didn't like it and now me?
As one of several elders, I know how diligently the ministry staff has worked to minister to the needs of a large number of people, including providing Word and Sacrament to the body of Christ. The line you walk is a large gray path more than a line. As one friend of mine used to say, "You can be absolutely right and you can still be wrong." It's difficult to not alienate a segment of your church body who may see a request to do this or that as right or wrong, but you know that out there are feelings that will raise their heads when you land on one side of the gray line or the other, real or perceived.
Yet, in spite of the polarity of our population these days, can you imagine the Wise Men in Matthew's account? Herod, a specifically cruel leader by all accounts, summons them to the palace to "inquire." That he did so "secretly" is evidence of the neuroses that possessed him (and other leaders that come along in the passion such as Pilate). Leading in Rome is not easy, especially in the country of Israel, so to lead with an "iron fist" is a necessity. Passing through to locate the star finds them summoned by a Herod, who "innocently" says he too would like to worship this newborn king.
Later in the familiar passage, God intervenes by dreams to the Wise Men and Joseph once again to warn them of the impending danger. The Wise Men leave by a different route and Joseph moves the family to Egypt as Herod kills every child two and under.
These are the conditions and events under which God chose to send His Son to dwell among us. These are the conditions and events that will shape His ministry. Christ will speak in gray but certain terms when His ministry comes (parables, many of which even His close followers will ask, "What does that mean?"). Today, sin still runs rampant and is present in our lives. Division has been and always will be present. Christ then, and now (and tomorrow), ministers to us in our sinful and divided ways. We still seek His Word for our guidance as we seek to follow that star as did the Wise Men, and Christ dwells among us in Word and Sacrament to provide that forgiveness for our sinful lives and the forgiveness, grace and mercy we so desperately need in our divided and fallen world.
Hope Men's Ministry
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