Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and the bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
EASTERN MAGI
The wise men responded to the gift of God's own Son by worshiping Him and presenting Him with gifts. John the Baptist suggested that we give to God a life worthy of His grace. If we really want our sins taken away, then we should not cling to them or make excuses to keep them around. We should not be satisfied with them, not if we want them removed, forgiven. "Bring forth fruits in keeping with your repentance" (your desire for forgiveness) was John's message.
And when the people asked how this worked out in their lives, John again pointed them to giving, giving to one another. "He that has two coats, let him give to him that has none." He who has an Almighty Father can afford to share.
The Magi presented Jesus with gifts. Did you do that this past Christmas? In Matthew 25, when God's children ask, "Lord, when did we ... give you something ...?" the Lord answers, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." So yes, you too presented Him with gifts of golden thankfulness in gifts given to one another! But the greatest Gift was the one given to the wise men-- and to us!
The Eastern Magi, coming Their gifts of love to bring,
Bear witness to your glory And worship you, their King.
To you the star is pointing And the prophetic Word;
So joyously we hail you; Our Savior and our Lord.
(Christian Worship, 94)
