Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 71(72); Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
Third Isaiah was writing after the Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon. Future messianic salvation is offered to all who believe in the Lord and keep his commandments. All peoples will stream to the new Jerusalem with acceptable offerings.
The psalm offers good wishes to a king, perhaps at a coronation. But the king is so idealised that only the Messiah could match these expectations.
The vision of the universal Church Paul describes in Ephesians matches Isaiah’s image of the new Jerusalem. The Church, Christ’s body, led by the Spirit, is part of God’s plan for the whole of creation. Paul joyfully realises that taking the gospel message to all was always part of God’s plan: Gentiles as well as Jews are to share equally in the inheritance promised by God.
In Luke’s Gospel an angel announced Jesus’ birth to poor Jewish shepherds, excluded by their occupation from Temple worship. Today we hear Matthew’s description of Gentile scholars travelling from afar to bring kingly offerings to the new-born child. God’s plan is already being made known beyond Israel. But the scholars needed the Jewish scriptures to help find Jesus. We too need the Old Testament to help us understand God’s plan and what he has done in Jesus for our salvation.
Psalm Response: All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
(Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 71(72); Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)