US: The Perfect Gift - Steve Parrish
Matthew 2:11 ESV And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Ever had difficulty finding the perfect gift? But when you find it, you know it…
The Magi brought specific gifts for their recipient…
Gold, The Gift For A King
Magi recognized Jesus as a king - Matthew 2:2 (ESV) saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Magi brought Jesus gold, the customary a gift from one Kingdom’s King to another.
Queen of Sheba visited king Solomon and brought him gifts, including 120 talents of gold, or 7936lbs or $186,273,792
How much gold would the wise men have brought Jesus? Gold is currently $1467 oz. An iPhone 5 size would be $47,000.
John 18:33, 36–37 (ESV) So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
The gift of gold was the perfect gift for our King, Jesus!
Frankincense, The Gift For A Priest
Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin. Produced by scraping the bark of certain. When burned as incense, it creates a strong and beautiful aroma. The cost of frankincense precluded it from being common. It was burned to worship God.
Exodus 30:34–37 (ESV) The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you. And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The gift of frankincense was the perfect gift for our Priest, Jesus!
Myrrh, The Gift For A Sacrifice
Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East.
Like frankincense, it can be used as incense,
It also had wider usage as a perfume, anointing oil, balm
John 19:38–39 (ESV) After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
Myrrh, the perfect gift for our sacrifice, Jesus,
Jesus, the Perfect Gift For Us
No other gift is so uniquely fashioned for each and every one of us!
John 3:16–17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Matthew 26:26–28 (ESV) Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.