It’s a new year and with it come new possibilities. I don’t make resolutions because I know my personality and I feel like I am just setting myself up for failure. I have some things I’d like to work on in 2019 but these are not do-or-die type of resolutions. And while I don’t poo-poo resolution making, I often find that whatever God has planned for me is better anyway. But, an ongoing goal I have, no matter the time of year, is to always increase in my spiritual life. Maybe you made a resolution along these lines. Perhaps you want to read the Bible more, have a more active prayer life, or maybe you just want to be in these pews more often than not. A spiritual resolution is always good. An invitation from God to enter into a fuller relationship is one that I would have trouble turning down. Today though I want to talk about an interesting spiritual practice that may pique your interest. I want to talk about what it might be like to be like the magi and engage in holy resistance.
Let me give you a little background before we start thinking about holy resistance. Today’s story is a familiar one. After all, we have all seen nativities or maybe even own one with wise men as part of the set. And how many come in a set usually? (3) But how many does the Bible mention? None! The Bible doesn’t mention a number. We know it was more than one because we are told that these are wise men, men plural. The number three most likely came from the number of gifts. These wise men, or Magi as they are called were stargazers, literally. They were most like astrologers who studied the heavens and the skies for signs of significant events and changes. It was not strange for them to follow a star.
Herod had conversations with the magi. He found out their timeline and then said “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” That sounds innocent enough, doesn’t it? But it wasn’t. Herod had the most evil of intentions. He was King and in his mind, there was room for only one king. There was only room for so much power and it all belonged to him. Herod felt threatened. He was so threatened in fact that shortly after this story, we hear of Herod giving the orders for all babies under the age of two in and around Bethlehem to be killed. Can you imagine being so insecure in your place of power that you demand that even children be killed? In our story today, the magi are warned in a dream to not return to Herod. So they didn’t. That is holy resistance.
So what am I talking about when I talk about holy resistance? I think the easiest way to explain it is choosing Jesus and Jesus’ values over society and societal values. We could also say that holy resistance is knowing our power comes from the cross and not anywhere else. What I proposing isn’t easy. I mean, it’s called holy resistance for a reason, we’re going to get resistance. If this were something easy then it’d be called holy cake walk or something of the sort. When we choose Jesus (versus choosing society) and when we follow Jesus’ call and path, we’re bound to do things that aren’t popular, that aren’t seen as smart, and that may even cost us friendships and relationships. Like I said, holy resistance isn’t easy.
We already have one concrete example of holy resistance, thanks to the magi. They were led by a dream, maybe even the Holy Spirit, to not return to Herod. And they didn’t. This did not gain them favor with Herod. After all, Herod was used to people doing what he said. So let’s talk about holy resistance for our time. What does that look like from a practical standpoint? Like I said, it often comes down to being on the same side as Jesus and remembering that our power comes from his death. Here’s a fairly small, mundane, yet relevant example. To engage in holy resistance means that next time you hear a friend, family member, or co-worker use a racial slur or tell a racially charged joke, you speak up. “That’s not funny. I don’t appreciate that kind of humor or that kind of language. Please don’t do it again.” If we believe that we are all made in God’s image, then there is no place in the holy resistance for bigotry and hate.
Holy resistance might affect how you spend your money. This takes a bit more time and commitment. But, for example, perhaps you make the decision to only purchase goods that follow fair trade practices; meaning that the people who make the goods earn a fair days wage. That is holy resistance. Most of you know where your meat comes from (as it comes from your own stock) but perhaps you find out more about that if you purchase from the grocery store. Same with your fruits and vegetables. God created the earth and put humans in charge of taking care of it. This includes all vegetation and animals.
Holy resistance is hard when it comes to more hot button topics; most of the things talked about on the news for example. What would Jesus say about a wall between the United States and Mexico? What would Jesus say about the rising health care costs? Did you know that 1 out of every 3 campaigns on GoFundMe is for medical costs? What would Jesus say about the hungry, the homeless, the underemployed, the imprisoned? Holy resistance isn’t always so clear when you’re faced with these types of issues. I try and think about what Jesus would do, but so often doing the opposite is easier and it doesn’t cost me friends. This is where our sin enters the equation of holy resistance. Because so often we do what is in our best interest instead of being the disciples that God has called us to be.
The good news today, my beloved, is that just by being here today you’re already engaging in holy resistance. On a day that so many choose to sleep in, get stuff done around the house, or just stay at home and relax, you have chosen to come and spend an hour here. I know it may not have been an easy choice. And soon, we will engage in holy resistance as we receive the body and blood of Christ. So many that aren’t part of the church may think that this holy meal is weird. But we know that in this act of holy resistance, we receive grace upon grace. So whether you know it or not, you have already been engaging in holy resistance. I know it is hard work, but God is with you. Your reward for this resistance may not be seen until we reach our heavenly home. Perhaps we should all take a cue from the wise men and take a different road. The road of holy resistance is spirit filled, spirit led, and God inspired. If this new year has you thinking about new ways of engaging your spiritual life, perhaps holy resistance is just the thing you’ve been waiting for.
Taking Stalk 