Gifts!

Gifts!

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were 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 unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10‭-‬11 KJV

Quick context: Jesus is born in the town of Bethlehem. His birth is the fulfilment of several prophecies, some of them as far back as the Garden of Eden, David in the Psalms, Isaiah and Micah. Nothing catches God by suprise, so if I am in Him, nothing can happen to me without His permission. His Word cannot be broken, and it CANNOT fail to fulfil that for which He sends His Word. Let that thought sink deep into my heart: even if it takes out the entire heavens and the earth, God's Word cannot fail. 

It is in the midst of this story that we read about wise men who came from the East. Country of origin, means of livelihood or number isn't clear, but the Bible records that they saw a star of a King where they lived, and they had come to worship Him. It didn't matter to them whether they knew how far they were to travel or if the country would even accept them, but they came anyway. It is clear that the birth of this king, though local in Bethlehem, is a benefit to the ends of the earth. This birth is a blessing to the whole world, and as many as will receive Him, He gives power to become the sons of God.

The wise men took that long journey, not minding the weather or the distance. They also came prepared, fully aware of who they were coming to meet and who this child was. Imagine the recorded confusion of Herod and his court when he heard that another king was born in his territory, and he knew nothing about it. He made enquiries, and indeed it was confirmed that that king would be born in Bethlehem, just as God had foretold. In fact, Herod's court confirmed Prophet Micah's old prophecy. This is where the comparison ends: Herod's court would seek to wound/kill the king; the wise men would seek to worship the king. Same child and king; different approaches. 

Unfortunately, none in Herod's court bothered to understand the context of the kingship referred to. All they read was that a king would be born, and like mortal men who are crazy about power, position and privilege, but forgetting that no man can go against whatever God has commanded, Herod lashed out, killing all children below the age of 2, because he was afraid of a king who was not a threat to his own kingdom but was actually the authority behind his own kingship. No king lasts a day without the permission of the King of kings. Despite all that Herod did, the true king would not be stopped, and his kingdom is now established in the hearts of men, where no mortal king can unseat Him. 

As it was then, so is it now. The gift has been given, and all of us MUST deal with the king one way or the other. The wise men came from far, prepared to worship; the people in Bethlehem had no idea the value of what had just happened around them. Am I caught up in daily living that I do not know the value of who I have come to know and believe? Has He become an ordinary person; one of the number, or is He fully deserving of my worship and devotion? Gold, frankincense and myrrh are not your everyday gifts; these are reserved for royalty, but in this case, they spoke into the present and the future ministry of this king. These gifts would feature in the course of his life, his travails on the cross, and his resurrection and ascension and the restoration of all His glory. 

And the gifts matter; would I give Him out of the dregs left after I have used up all the valuable ones, or would I offer Him my best, my all? It took a clear understanding for adult men to bow down and worship a child, because they knew they were standing in the presence of a king. Do I have that same understanding? Am I all familiar with Christ, His church and the customs that they have now lost their shock and awe value? Or do I daily seek a personal experience of this king in personal devotion, as well as corporate worship? How's your heart? How's mine? Is Jesus reigning there as king or do I have other authorities competing for attention and position in there? 

It is Christmas; for those who know, it is not just a day, but a season that opens the door to an eternity with God. By this birth, all men have the door of heaven opened, and a glimpse of what we stand to enjoy in eternity has been revealed. Nothing I give Him can compare to what He offers, which is why my heart and life are the most precious things I could offer to Him. When my life is His, all the gold can be freely given. What will be my response? What will yours be? His time of favour is here.