Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Every Christmas, the Sunday School children around the globe enact the birth of Jesus.  Invariably, in the Nativity scene, we see three kings with three gifts!  In reality, the kings saw Jesus in a home setting and not in a manger.  And Jesus must have been a little less than two years old, since we know that Herod wanted to kill children below two years old to eliminate Jesus!!

If the Holy Spirit has taken the trouble to record the gifts brought by the kings, then there must be something for us to learn from it.  

The first gift listed is gold. Back then, just as it is today, gold was a costly metal. Gold is a gift fit for a king, because it is precious and expensive.

The second gift is frankincense. Why did they give frankincense to Jesus? Frankincense was used in temple worship and was burned as an offering to God. It is a gift used for worship. This gift recognized the Deity of Jesus.

And that leads to the third gift, myrrh. In Jesus’ time, people used myrrh to embalm the dead. Thus, Myrrh is a gift of sacrifice. These wise men, in their wisdom, knew that Jesus was born to die.  

The kings brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  That brings us to our question today.  What can we give Jesus today?

If Jesus is the King of Kings, worthy of gold, He deserves our obedience.  If Jesus is God, worthy of Frankincense, He deserves our worship.  If Jesus’s supreme sacrifice makes us fit for heaven, He deserves our sacrifice.   

Let us today commit ourselves afresh one more time at His feet and decide to obey Him all the days of our lives!  Let our whole lives bring worship and praise to our Lord and King.  And let us be ready to live a sacrificial life, bringing glory to God.

My friend, let this be our decision not only today but every day of the new Year.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me live a life of obedience, worship, and sacrifice, bringing glory to You. Amen.