Gifts fit for a King

During this advent season, I've been pondering the significance of the gifts that the wisemen brought to Christ. These men travelled a great distance in order to honor Jesus and worship him. The Scriptures tell us that when the wisemen arrived to the house where Christ was, they, "fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)

Now, when I think of these gifts given, I think of the value that they brought. However the value of those gifts added nothing to the title and person of Jesus. No person would ever go to an earthly king or queen and offer up monetary gifts to somehow bribe or add to their personal wealth. This type of action would probably dishonor the monarch. The apostle Paul gives us another look into the authority of Christ when he tells the crowds in Athens that God cannot be, "served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." (Acts 17:25)

So, if these gifts did not serve any purpose in adding to Christ' kingship, why do they give them to Jesus? Well, I think that the purpose in giving these gifts was primarily to convey their tribute, love and joy for the child. The gold, frankincense and myrrh were given to show that the wisemen's true treasure was not found in those objects but in Christ. The point of this was to show their allegiance to Christ as King of the Universe for who he was and not what they could get or receive from him.

In the same way, I as a follower of Christ have the tendency to not give my life, time and money to Christ for the sake of magnifying his lordship but to somehow buy his favor in my family and future. From the outside it may seem as if the things I do for the Gospel are selfless but it becomes evident that the more I "sacrifice" the more I look to Jesus to meet my desires, my affections and priorities for my joy in my life, not his kingship. My prayer this holiday season is that we as his children do not forget that the gifts we bring him are not to bribe or add to anything to Christ, but that we as the wisemen remain infatuated in him for Jesus alone and not for any other motive.

Carli and I pray that you all have a Merry Christmas and that the gifts you bring Jesus show that He is your treasure and not the gifts.