Date: Monday, 25th December, 2023
Text: Matthew 2:7-11
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Certain three men saw a unique star from the East. This star was very different from common stars. Unknown to them, they had seen the Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16). Stars don’t shine in the day. But this particular star is so bright that it can still be visible even in the morning. The Word of God calls Him the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2).
When these astrologers saw the star, they identified him to be the ‘King of the Jews” and they traveled for about two years to find and worship him. They came with significant and expensive gifts all the way, just to sacrifice to the new born king.
The Word of God says, “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 2:7.
The gifts were symbolically prophetic in that they indicated the personality, ministry and mission of Christ on Earth.
The gold identifies the royalty of Christ; they correctly blessed him as King of kings. The frankincense indicates the priestly nature of Christ. As our High Priest, he prayed, taught and preached the word of God from place to place; healing the sick, raising the dead and performing special miracles.
The third gift of Myrrh was odd because it is not a common gift for new born children. Myrrh contains chemicals that might reduce pain and kill bacteria. It’s used in the perfume and embalming industry. It was presented also at the end of his earthly life. (Mark 15:23; John 19:39)
The gift of Myrrh prophetically indicated the circumstances that would surround the departure (death) of the new born king.
As a Bible scholar rightly pointed out, “Their gifts told the story of how God himself came down from Heaven as our King (gold) to fulfill his priestly duties (frankincense) and eventually died for our sins (myrrh)”. What a strong message from the Three Wise Men!
Merry Christmas!
Reflective Nugget: When the Wise Men saw the unique star of Jesus Christ, they responded. What are you doing to respond to the love of Jesus Christ today?