LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 2:11, And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

It takes great faith to trust and be obedient to God as believers walk the narrow way into His kingdom and life in eternity with Him. Believers can certainly learn this from the wise men. It took them a long time to make the journey to find Jesus and then to return home. One can only imagine the obstacles and difficulties they had to face. That sure sounds like the life Believers live in their journey with Him! Learning that He can be trusted to watch over Believers, protecting and guiding them is a major aspect of walking the narrow way!

They not only worshipped the King of the Jews; they brought Him gifts. Pastor Jonathon Moore, Lead Pastor of NorthRock Church, said last weekend “these gifts were prophetic gifts; gifts fit for a king”. He continued saying, “these gifts were useful gifts that foreshadowed who Jesus was. The gold was symbolic of a king, the frankincense was offered to deity, and the myrrh was a burial spice.” Let’s look at these gifts more closely.

“We three kings of Orient are ….” “Gold, I bring to crown Him again!” Gold – the precious metal that is so difficult to find in its pure form. Throughout time it has been used to honor kings. Reflect on how gold was used as an overlay throughout the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. King Solomon did the same in the temple. Gold represents God! Satan would use gold to create idols, a golden calf for example. The gift of gold presented by the wise men proclaimed Jesus to be King at His birth! Jesus even proclaimed Himself to be King when he stood before Pilate (Matthew 27:11). Jesus spoke often during His earthly ministry of the Kingdom of God; that kingdom is here today and is found in the hearts of all Believers. Jesus Christ is their King as He reigns and rules in their hearts!

“Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a deity nigh.” Frankincense is an incense and perfume used in the sanctuary of the Lord (Exodus 30:34). It must have been used with prayer as well (Luke 2:9). Because of that, frankincense is symbolic of Jesus’ position as High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus certainly ministered to people during His ministry on earth, He continues to do so as the Believer’s High Priest before the Father as He intercedes for them.

“Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom, sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.” Myrrh was a spice used for cosmetics, medicine and an anointing oil. Prophets were anointed with it as they were to communicate God’s will and speak to the people. Jesus Christ came also as a Prophet as he did the will of His Father and spoke His Father’s words. Myrrh was also used to anoint the dead. The body of Jesus was anointed with Myrrh for his burial.

The Child born the King of the Jews came to earth in the form of a small baby on a “rescue mission” (Pastor Moore) – to save all who would believe in Him. He came as the King of Israel, a Priest of God, and as God’s Prophet. The gifts brought by the wise men represent each of these offices. The wise men gave their time, their talents and their treasures to this Child. They worshipped Him and gave gifts. You and I need to do that as well! Jesus Christ is coming again to setup His kingdom on earth. Until that time, He remains our High Priest in Heaven interceding for us.

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