Worldly Pleasures

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

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 2:11

The Magi, (usually understood as three wise men although there is no specific mention about the number in the Bible) went to Jerusalem and inquired of the birth of Jesus. They had great desire to worship the new born King, Jesus. They saw the star and went there to worship him. When they had that desire to worship Jesus, they were told that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. King Herod also had that desire of knowing where Jesus was born. Nevertheless his inquiry was to kill Jesus, because he had inner fear that one day Jesus, the King born in a manger would supplant him from his throne. The Magi got answer as did King Herod too. The Magi s purpose was to worship God, while the Herod s purpose was to kill God. So, Herod called these wise men and enticed them that they would great gifts if they went and worshipped Jesus and brought him the news where he was born. The wise men took leave from the presence of Herod and entered the presence of God, the new born Jesus, and worshipped him. And after worshipping Jesus they were asked by angel to go another way because Herod s intention was bad; it was not for worshipping Jesus, but to kill him. The wise men obeyed the commandment and went on a different way.

When Herod understood that the three wise men did not return he ordered all the male children less than two years of age to be slain. It was done and the prophecy was fulfilled. Vs.5 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: Vs.6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.

The prophecy was in: Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more. Now, here are the gifts that these three wise men offered to our Lord Jesus Christ on his incarnation. He was God Himself; He took the form of a man and was born of the virgin Mary, through the works of Holy Spirit. He became one like us, to live among us, so that we may not have unusual fear of God, like the fear of seeing a tiger all of a sudden, but rather revere Him as our Lord and Savior, stand in awe before Him, and treat Him as our friend, guide, philosopher, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. One of the wise men offered Gold, the second one offered Frankincense, and the third one offered Myrrh. Let us see the importance of these gifts that these three wise men offered to our Lord Jesus on his birthday. Let us think of Gold first. It has so much importance. We will see only few verses in the light of the New Testament.

Revelation 4:4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads . Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night . Revelation 18:16 and cry out: Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! . Revelation 9:7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. Revelation 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk . These verses show the importance of Gold. We also know how important Gold is in our day-to-day life.

Now, let us see the importance of Myrrh. Relating to the relationship of the child of God, the bride and the God, the bridegroom, the writer of Song of songs explains the beauty and the importance of Myrrh in the following verse. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh . Song of songs 5:13 Relating to the importance of an elite, in this case, Joseph, his father, not knowing that his son was that elite in Egypt instructs his children to present Myrrh as gift in the following verse. And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: Genesis 43:11 In the final stages of Lord Jesus Christ s life on this earth, he was on the cross of Calvary for our sake, bearing the burden of our sins. And at that time the soldiers included that important Myrrh in the wine, which they gave him as drink offering before His death upon the cross. Alas! He could not take that important gift at that point of time! It was too much for him to bear that mockery, that ill treatment! It was all for us that He suffered on that rugged cross. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not . Matthew 15:23 Now let us see the importance of Frankincense, presented by the third wise man. The Lord himself, in the Old Testament orders Moses in the following verse the lays down the importance of Frankincense. He orders Moses to include Frankincense in the offering that People of Israel, need to make. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: Exodus 30:34 The incense which was burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices likewise, though not so rare and rich as those of which the anointing oil was compounded, vs.34, 35.

This was prepared once a year (the Jews say), a pound for each day of the year, and three pounds over for the day of atonement. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small: thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer when he offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savior. It also signifies the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. So beloved, Let us give more importance to the mission on which Jesus Christ came in to this world, rather than merely rejoicing on his birth. Let us also give to Jesus Christ gifts that please Him. The birth of Jesus Christ is important, but not at the cost of forgetting the purpose for which he was born.

Continued...Please click here
Jesus Saves you