“When they had opened their treasures, they presented a girf to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).
When Jesus was borned, the people of His day had three reactions to His birth. The scribes and Pharisees were indifferent. They hardly knew what was happening. What a tragedy to be indifferent to the Savior of the world!
Sadly, there are some religious people who are indifferent to Christ this Christmas. Christ still get lost in the busyness of the season. He gets covered up under the Christmas tree in the neatly wrapped presents. He is hidden in the rush of it all. He’s crowded out with office parties, luncheons, and a multitude of other Christmas engagements.
There were some who opposed Him then, and there are those who oppose Him now. Herod and the Roman soldiers were threatened by the prospect of this newborn King. They were threatened by the portential challenge of His rulership. Herod passed a decree that every Hebrew child under 2 years old be murdered. He would not risk his throne.
There was still a third reaction to Jesus. Three kings from the East broght Him girfs. The Wise Men fell at His feet in adoring worship. Wise men and women still worship Him today.
Matthew’s Gospel describes it like this. “When they had opened their treasures, they presented a girf to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).
Gold is a gift for a king. It represents all of our material possessions. We come to Jesus in adoring worship, holding nothing back. Everything we have is a gift from Jesus. At Christmas we acknowledge, “Lord, all my possessions are Yours. You are my King of kings.”
Frankincense is a gift for a priest. It was used by the priests in the ancient sanctuary. At Christmas we come kneeling, declaring, “Jesus, You are my Priest. You intercede for me. You are my Intercessor. You present Your perfect righteousness before all of heaven, in the place of my utter failure. Lord, all of my worship is Your.”
Myrrh is a gift for one who is ready to die. It is an oilment used in ancient burial services. At Christmas we come acknowledging, “Jesus, You are my dying Savior. You are the innocent Baby who was born and my righteousness Redeemer who died for me.”
Today, rejoice! It’s a time to celebrate!
Accept Him as your Savior. Approach Him as your Priest. Acknowledge Him as you King.
Mark Finley, Solid Ground, pg. 391.
