Matthew 2:11……..Ready

Matthew 2:11……..Ready

On coming to the house, (Not a manger/stable as the shepherds.–{Luke 2:7} That Jesus was probably 2 years old at this time.) they saw the child with his mother Mary, (i.e. laying in her arms) and they bowed down and worshiped him. (4352-To pay honor, homage, reverence, by kneeling down on the ground) Then they opened their treasures (2344-Treasure-chest/strongbox where valuables were kept.) and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense (Frankincense-K.J.V.) and of myrrh. (The latter being gum resins obtained from trees and used in perfumes and medicinal ointments.)

Continued From Book

“Teaches how the proper & fitting response for who Christ is and all that He has done is one of reverence and worship.” ⇔ When you discover the power and majesty of Christ you cannot help but to bow the knee and fall down and worship Him! (cf. John 20:28, Phil. 2:10-11)

“Teaches how worshiping Jesus means giving Him our all and very best. Come not just with lips, but with all the rest.”

“Calls for making Christ our hearts treasure, that He is all the world to us and is worth everything!” ⇔ Though the Magi were bringing treasures to worship, from their perspective they had found theirs. How about you? Have you found in Jesus the treasure and delight of your heart, do you value Jesus above anything and anyone else?

“Teaches how true worship will offer Jesus our time, our talents, our resources, our gifts, our service, and our devotion.”

“Even today the proper response to all that Jesus has done in Saving us is one of worship, devotion, and service!” ⇒ Most of us praise Jesus for what He’s done for us/to us. We give, serve, and worship Him for what we expect or hope He’ll do for us in this life and the next. Material blessing health, wealth, protection and “spiritual” blessing. But for the Magi, Jesus hadn’t freed them from addiction, He hadn’t helped them achieve their goals of self-fulfillment, He hadn’t cured them of disease, given them a spouse or kids. He hadn’t even died on the cross for their sins or promised them eternal life. Up to this point He hadn’t “given” them anything. In fact, they came with gifts for Him. They were joyful, and they worshipped Him, because of who he Is. They generously gave of their personal wealth and possessions without expectations of anything in return. Wil you still worship Jesus if He doesn’t get you that house, car, job, spouse, etc.

Symbolic values in the three gifts signifying:                                                                                                            

        Gold –Jesus’ royalty & Kingship. (Ps. 72:15)

    Incense –Jesus’ divinity & priestly office. (Lev. 2:2, Is 60:6)

       Myrrh –Jesus’ anointing, suffering, death. (John 19:38-40)

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches those who understand all that Christ has done will have a heart overflowing with gratitude, adoration, and praise! Those who have experienced Jesus’ love and Saving grace can’t help but share with Him all that they have. (cf. 2-Corn. 9:11)

Teaches how worship is not about what we can get, but what we give, and always out of a grateful heart for all that Jesus has done. True gifts are not given in expecting something in return or because we’ve been told it’s “good for us”, but because it is an exuberant response out of joy and gratitude for all that God has done for us. The Wise Men knew that in this King something good had happened to them. So how do you come to Jesus? Would you still worship Him if things are not going well with you? Is God any less worthy of our praise because we are suffering? Is our worship completely dependent upon His blessing our lives? Let’s focus our worship on the worthiness of God and not His usefulness!

Calls believers in living in a way that gives all the praise & glory to Jesus for all that He’s has done. (In what ways are your making your love and affection for Jesus known? Are you doing random acts of kindness and generosity all for the glory of God?) (cf. Matt. 5:14-16, 6:19-22, Rom. 15:8-9)

Teaches rather than think we are poor and have nothing to offer, come with what you have, and allow the Lord to dispose of it as He pleases. Trust that whatever you bring the Lord will take it and make even better.  Know that you will never be sorry having given it to Him.

Challenges believers in coming to worship prepared. Do you come to worship in wanting to meet God and give everything you have, or is it just another day in your busy scheduled?

Reminds believers how “Worship” is not just about spending an hour in church Sunday mornings, singing the hymns, giving money in the offering plate, taking communion, volunteering in the children’s ministry, or enduring a boring sermon from the preacher. But rather it’s about living out a life of worship to the Lord 24/7, day in and day out through our actions, through our words, and through our giving. (cf. John 4:23-24, 14:15, 21, Rom. 12:1-2)

Teaches just as divine providence sent the Magi with gifts for Joseph and Mary to help them in their time of need, so to our heavenly Father is aware of His children’s needs, and will use stewards to provide for their them as well. Even supplying beyond their wildest dreams.

Teaches how wise and caring people of faith will give gifts of significance, regardless if its going to be used now or in the future. Will you trust that the bible you gave to your grandchild, or to that alcoholic and drug addict will be put to use sometime down the road, even if it has little use or meaning to them at the moment?

Calls for the same type of faith and great confidence, that despite all appearances to the contrary we will fell down and worship Jesus with “great joy”. Just as these Magi found Jesus in a small obscure house, it did not cause them to stumble, after having already sought Him in Palaces and great cities. So to we need to look past the humbleness of Jesus and not let that trip us up, and see Him for the King that He really is. We often think of Jesus as our Savior, friend, and lover of our souls, even though He is all those things. But more importantly He is also our Lord and King!

Teaches how true worship is about giving and not about receiving, or the hope of being blessed and getting something in return. Do you come to worship for the purpose of serving your own needs or serving the Lord’s needs?

Note: Worship is about an encounter with God, not ritual. When the Magi found Jesus in the house there was no fanfare, no lightings, no music, no singing or instruments. None of these things can manufacture worship, nor can they replace worship. All the supporting aids of worship that we know today are good and helpful, but they cannot make worship happen. You can have all of these and no worship. You can have none of these and yet worship Jesus in the room, as we see here. Therefor we need to tune our hearts to Jesus when we come to worship. We need to focus on His presence and long to hear from Him when we gather together.

Note: Many argue “Well these Magi were wealthy men, they could afford to give” or “The Magi had a greater opportunity to give gifts directly to Jesus than we do”. That may be true, but you can still give back to the Lord in the way or your heart, time, energy, talents, witness, praise, worship, devotion, and life instead. (Don’t let people confuse you or trick you into believing that its all about money and tithing, [Note: God has all the money He could want, even the streets of heaven are paved with gold!]. But rather its about a heart that is serving and giving to the Lord in anyway we can!)

  (For more Applications get the whole Book) 

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