TO BLESS THE KING
by Dr. Charles Stanley
Matthew 2:1-16 (excerpts)
(NASB)
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
-when God made the sun, moon, and stars, He designed them not only to provide light for the earth, but also for three other purposes—“let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). So the use of a star as a sign to lead Gentile rulers to the Messiah should not surprise us.
-have we felt trouble when He came or felt just like the magi's;
(NASB)
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
-when God made the sun, moon, and stars, He designed them not only to provide light for the earth, but also for three other purposes—“let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). So the use of a star as a sign to lead Gentile rulers to the Messiah should not surprise us.
-have we felt trouble when He came or felt just like the magi's;
the magi’s actions were unselfishly focused on exalting the newborn King of the Jews. They were men of faith who believed the sign that the Lord had given them. Throughout their journey, they’d depended upon His divine guidance as they followed the star (v. 9). When they arrived at the house where Jesus was, in awe and humility, “they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (v. 11). Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts fit for a king. Although we don’t know if they understood the ultimate significance of these offerings, each one was appropriate and prophetic for the Son of God.
The Gifts
Myrrh was a costly perfume used primarily for burials. In the ancient East, bodies of the dead were wrapped with linen cloth sprinkled with myrrh. This gift spoke prophetically of Jesus’ death and His role as our Redeemer. He didn’t come to live, but to die for sinful mankind, laying down His life so we could be saved from eternal separation from God. The prophetic symbolism was fulfilled when Nicodemus took Jesus’ body from the cross and wrapped it in linen and a hundred-pound mixture of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38-40).
Frankincense played an important role in Jewish worship in the temple. As the priests sprinkled it on the burning coals of the golden altar, fragrant smoke rose upward, symbolizing the offering of their prayers. Frankincense prophetically pointed to Jesus’ role as our great High Priest. In Latin, the word for “priest” is pontiface, which means “bridge builder,” and that is exactly what Jesus was for us. He is the only Mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God (1 Tim. 2: 5). He offered His own blood, which was totally effective in atoning for sin once for all time (Heb. 9:11-14). But Christ’s priesthood doesn’t end there; He’s still fulfilling His priestly role as He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding on our behalf (7:25).
Gold may not seem like a fitting gift for a child born into the household of a lowly carpenter. But the symbolism of this present reveals why it was appropriate. In the ancient world, gold was given to show honor and high esteem. It was a gift befitting a king, and that’s exactly what Jesus is. Throughout His ministry, He claimed to have a kingdom. In fact, When Pilate asked Him if He was the King of the Jews, Christ answered, “You saycorrectly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world” (John 18:37, emphasis added). He further clarified the matter by stating, “My kingdom is not of this world” (v. 36).
If you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior, you are a part of His kingdom even if you can’t see any physical manifestation of it. At the moment of salvation, you were transferred from the realm of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13-14). But one day, this spiritual kingdom will become visible when Christ returns to earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-16).
The Response
Though this story happened long ago, its lessons are always timely. The important issue today is to determine how you are reacting to Christ right now. The wise men came to worship the Messiah, humbly bowing before Him. They honored Him as Redeemer, High Priest, and King. If you’ll follow their example, you, too, can celebrate and enjoy the wonder of the Savior.
Jesus came to walk among men so that we could walk with Him forever. When you acknowledge Him as your King, Redeemer, and High Priest, you’ll discover the joys and unfathomable riches of His marvelous kingdom.
Do You Know God?
The wise men may have traveled in search of Jesus, but you don’t need to go anywhere to seek Him. Revelation 3:20 reveals that He is always with us, knocking on the door of our heart, waiting to be invited in. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He became the Bridge between eternal life and us. Say yes to the Savior and receive the gift of salvation. You can use the following prayer or your own words:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.
The Gifts
Myrrh was a costly perfume used primarily for burials. In the ancient East, bodies of the dead were wrapped with linen cloth sprinkled with myrrh. This gift spoke prophetically of Jesus’ death and His role as our Redeemer. He didn’t come to live, but to die for sinful mankind, laying down His life so we could be saved from eternal separation from God. The prophetic symbolism was fulfilled when Nicodemus took Jesus’ body from the cross and wrapped it in linen and a hundred-pound mixture of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38-40).
Frankincense played an important role in Jewish worship in the temple. As the priests sprinkled it on the burning coals of the golden altar, fragrant smoke rose upward, symbolizing the offering of their prayers. Frankincense prophetically pointed to Jesus’ role as our great High Priest. In Latin, the word for “priest” is pontiface, which means “bridge builder,” and that is exactly what Jesus was for us. He is the only Mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God (1 Tim. 2: 5). He offered His own blood, which was totally effective in atoning for sin once for all time (Heb. 9:11-14). But Christ’s priesthood doesn’t end there; He’s still fulfilling His priestly role as He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding on our behalf (7:25).
Gold may not seem like a fitting gift for a child born into the household of a lowly carpenter. But the symbolism of this present reveals why it was appropriate. In the ancient world, gold was given to show honor and high esteem. It was a gift befitting a king, and that’s exactly what Jesus is. Throughout His ministry, He claimed to have a kingdom. In fact, When Pilate asked Him if He was the King of the Jews, Christ answered, “You saycorrectly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world” (John 18:37, emphasis added). He further clarified the matter by stating, “My kingdom is not of this world” (v. 36).
If you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior, you are a part of His kingdom even if you can’t see any physical manifestation of it. At the moment of salvation, you were transferred from the realm of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13-14). But one day, this spiritual kingdom will become visible when Christ returns to earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-16).
The Response
Though this story happened long ago, its lessons are always timely. The important issue today is to determine how you are reacting to Christ right now. The wise men came to worship the Messiah, humbly bowing before Him. They honored Him as Redeemer, High Priest, and King. If you’ll follow their example, you, too, can celebrate and enjoy the wonder of the Savior.
Jesus came to walk among men so that we could walk with Him forever. When you acknowledge Him as your King, Redeemer, and High Priest, you’ll discover the joys and unfathomable riches of His marvelous kingdom.
Do You Know God?
The wise men may have traveled in search of Jesus, but you don’t need to go anywhere to seek Him. Revelation 3:20 reveals that He is always with us, knocking on the door of our heart, waiting to be invited in. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He became the Bridge between eternal life and us. Say yes to the Savior and receive the gift of salvation. You can use the following prayer or your own words:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen.
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SNAPTSHOTS OF THE SON
Old Testament Clues to the Messiah's Identity
By Sandy Feit
—let’s look at six of the many biblical “snapshots” God included to acquaint us with His Son. The Old Testament reveals that the Messiah was to be . . .
Old Testament Clues to the Messiah's Identity
By Sandy Feit
—let’s look at six of the many biblical “snapshots” God included to acquaint us with His Son. The Old Testament reveals that the Messiah was to be . . .
1 Fully Divine, Fully Human, and Born of a Woman.
2 Born of a Virgin.
3 Born in Bethlehem Around the First Century.
4 Jewish—and a King.
5 Prophet, Priest, and Son of God.
6 The Substitutionary Sacrifice for Our Sin.
2 Born of a Virgin.
3 Born in Bethlehem Around the First Century.
4 Jewish—and a King.
5 Prophet, Priest, and Son of God.
6 The Substitutionary Sacrifice for Our Sin.
Let these and other glimpses, such as Mark 14:62, John 17:24, and Colossians 3:1, be reminders that though we can’t behold Him right now, our Savior really does exist, and He’ll be back. Best of all, everyone who trusts in Jesus not only belongs to Him but will one day be with Him.
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Everlasting Word of the Father, the Prince of Peace. Lamb of God, Healer, Savior, and Son of the Most High. These are but a few of the names we could ascribe to the Lord Jesus Christ, each a mere gesture toward His unfathomable glory. Here are some reflections:
WITNESS
By Patrick Wood
-Jesus said to Phillip, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” (14:7). Want a clear picture of God’s character? Read the Gospels with a special eye for Jesus’ treatment of people and the aspects of ministry He prioritized. You’ll discover the God who—quite the opposite of the lying Satan in Eden—cherishes your well-being and withholds no good thing from those who walk with Him.
PROPHET
By Jamie Hughes
The same Jesus who walked with Peter and Matthew accompanies us today along whatever roads we travel. The Savior who fed the five thousand remains the Bread of Life for all who believe (John 6:35). He who sits at the right hand of the Father serves as our prophet still, earnestly calling us to repentance and the everlasting joy of salvation.
INTERCESSOR
By Erin Gieschen
With Christ as our Intercessor, there’s no force on earth or in the spiritual realm that could ever send us back into isolation. He’s swung the door wide open, welcoming us into our new home—forever.
WARRIOR
By Tony Woodlief
The mighty Warrior comes, out of great love for His most favored creation, and though He is gentle with us, He has no mercy for the enemy preying on His children, which is death brought into this world by our own sin, or for the Devil who seeks our souls. Christ the Warrior comes, and His sin-hunted children rejoice.
PRIEST
By Linda Canup
Jesus came that He might be a priest to all, bringing every willing person into a right relationship with the Father. Because He is God, He surpasses the ancient requirements for ritual holiness and makes atonement for our shortcomings. All this He does so we can receive life and experience a peace that only comes by knowing Him as our Priest.
KING
By Patrick Wood
Christ is the supreme and everlasting King whose throne room is accessible to all. No honorarium is required: it’s been paid for in blood—His blood—and no worldly riches could match the worth of His presence. Because Jesus is present everywhere and fills all things (Eph. 4:6,10), you and I can converse with Him at any moment. There’s no concern on our heart, or appointment on our schedule, too unimportant for the wisdom of His counsel. Such is the humility of our King.
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IMMANUEL: God with us.
By Erin Gieschen
To truly understand what Christmas means for our present-day experience, it’s crucial to recognize that Jesus was born into a very real human existence.
Jesus’ birth is the turning point of history, when the loneliness of exiled mankind is met in the most intimate of ways: God becomes one of us.
There’s something far beyond human comfort we can draw from the knowledge that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. There is life-giving courage. His presence tells us that loneliness isn’t the whole of our story. It tells us that there’s so much more than what we initially see—that reality goes deeper than the surface of pain or even momentary happiness.
Christ has come to us right where we are, just as we are. He enters into our loss, comes to share our sorrows and infuse them with His healing presence.
He is with us.
And truly knowing that He’s come to make His home in us—and invites us to make our home in Him—changes everything. The lonely space our heart currently navigates may not change, but the substance of our journey through it can be transformed.
The true beauty of Christmas never fades and never loses its power. The great Light came quietly into the world to redeem it and has never stopped shining. Even now, His presence surrounds you, waiting to break through any shade of darkness to reveal itself as the truer, deeper reality of your life. So wherever you are, no matter how alone you may feel right now, make room for the Light to come. Because this is why He came—to be with you.
Jesus’ birth is the turning point of history, when the loneliness of exiled mankind is met in the most intimate of ways: God becomes one of us.
There’s something far beyond human comfort we can draw from the knowledge that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. There is life-giving courage. His presence tells us that loneliness isn’t the whole of our story. It tells us that there’s so much more than what we initially see—that reality goes deeper than the surface of pain or even momentary happiness.
Christ has come to us right where we are, just as we are. He enters into our loss, comes to share our sorrows and infuse them with His healing presence.
He is with us.
And truly knowing that He’s come to make His home in us—and invites us to make our home in Him—changes everything. The lonely space our heart currently navigates may not change, but the substance of our journey through it can be transformed.
The true beauty of Christmas never fades and never loses its power. The great Light came quietly into the world to redeem it and has never stopped shining. Even now, His presence surrounds you, waiting to break through any shade of darkness to reveal itself as the truer, deeper reality of your life. So wherever you are, no matter how alone you may feel right now, make room for the Light to come. Because this is why He came—to be with you.
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Philippians 2:1-11 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
REFLECT
1. What did Jesus give up when He chose to become part of humanity?
2. What is Jesus calling you to give up to follow Him? What have you gained through Him?
3. As a daily challenge through Christmas, pray asking the Holy Spirit to enable you to bring His life to the world.
EXPLORE
As you meditate on Jesus’ humility, consider these practical ways to share the free gift of sacrificial love that He’s given to you.
Align yourself with the Creator as a new creation made in His image, so that you might know Him better and become more like Him (Col. 3:10; Eph. 2:4-7).
Determine a way to cross a barrier separating you from brothers and sisters in Christ (Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:26-28).
Clothe yourself with the Holy Spirit’s mantle of compassion and kindness (Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 3:12).
Count it an opportunity to glorify God whenever someone requires your patience, and choose to share the gift of mercy you’ve received. Also, deal with any unforgiveness in your heart so that it’s filled only with grace for others (Col. 3:13; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
Help others out of love for them, realizing that good deeds done without love—no matter how sacrificial or “spiritual”—have no lasting value in God’s kingdom. But when you operate as a channel of Christ’s love, everything you do is a gift of eternal value (Col. 3:14; 1 Cor. 13:1-7).
Invite God’s peace to completely rule your heart, and thank Him for His unceasing presence (Col. 3:15; John 14:27).
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